Royal Purple Velvet Cake with Creamy Vanilla Frosting
Royal Purple Velvet Cake with Creamy Vanilla Frosting is a stunning and flavorful dessert that combines a rich, velvety crumb with a dreamy vanilla finish for an unforgettable treat. With endless ways to customize and a luxurious color that makes any event feel special, this cake turns every slice into a royal moment.
Ingredients
For the Royal Purple Velvet Cake:
- – 3 cups fine flour
- – 1 cup granulated sugar
- – 1⅓ cups buttermilk at room temperature
- – ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- – 4 large eggs room temperature
- – 2 heaping tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- – 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- – A dash of purple liquid food coloring adjust to desired intensity
- – 1 teaspoon baking soda
- – 1 tablespoon white vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- – 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- – 8 ounces unsalted butter softened
- – 2 cups powdered sugar
- – 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by lightly greasing them and dusting with flour. Set them aside for later use.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour and cocoa powder until fully combined. This will help distribute the cocoa evenly and prevent any clumps from forming.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Continue mixing for about 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Add the eggs one by one, ensuring to beat well after each addition. Once the eggs are incorporated, stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
Alternate Buttermilk and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed butter, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined—take care not to overmix, as this could result in a dense cake.
Add Purple Food Coloring
- Add a dash of purple liquid food coloring to the batter and mix gently until the color is evenly spread throughout. Add more coloring if you want a richer shade of royal purple.
Incorporate Baking Soda and Vinegar
- In a small bowl, combine the baking soda and white vinegar. The mixture will fizz. Quickly fold it into the batter to help achieve a light and airy texture.
Divide and Bake
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool the Cakes
- Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Preparing the Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and continue mixing until the frosting becomes light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Assembling the Cake
- Layer the Cake
- Place one of the cooled cake layers on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of frosting over the top using an offset spatula.
- Add the Second Layer
- Carefully position the second cake layer on top, then frost the top and sides evenly. Smooth the frosting to create a clean look or use a spatula to create decorative swirls for texture.
Decorate
- Finish by garnishing the cake with edible flowers, purple sugar sprinkles, or a light dusting of cocoa powder to give it a regal touch.