Purple Velvet Cake

Want a cake that’s as pretty as it is yummy? This purple velvet cake is soft, sweet, and so much fun!

You get a moist, rich cake with a hint of cocoa and a gorgeous purple color. Every slice is bright, fluffy, and full of joy.

Perfect for birthdays, parties, or any time you want to wow the crowd. Easy to bake. Super fun to show off.

Grab some purple food coloring and your mixing bowl—let’s bake a colorful masterpiece today!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Stunning Presentation: The purple color makes it feel special and elegant, yet fun and playful.
• Soft and Tender Crumb: Thanks to buttermilk and a hint of cocoa powder, every bite is moist and velvety.
• Crowd Favorite: It’s unique enough to catch attention, yet familiar enough to please everyone.
• Easy to Make: Basic ingredients and simple steps create a bakery-quality cake at home.
• Perfect for Special Occasions: Birthdays, baby showers, or just a rainy afternoon treat — it fits beautifully.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Cook Time:
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour

Servings:
This recipe makes a 2-layer 9-inch cake — enough for about 12 people.

Difficulty:
Easy enough for beginners who want to impress, but satisfying for experienced bakers too.

Required Kitchen Tools

• Two 9-inch round cake pans
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls (medium and large)
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cooling rack
• Offset spatula (for frosting)

Ingredients for the Purple Velvet Cake

Here’s everything you’ll need to bake this rich, vibrant cake (full measurements will be in the recipe card below):

Cake Layers:

• All-Purpose Flour
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (not Dutch-processed)
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Salt
• Unsalted Butter (softened)
• Granulated Sugar
• Eggs (room temperature)
• Vanilla Extract
• Buttermilk
• White Vinegar
• Purple Food Coloring (gel or liquid)

White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:

• White Chocolate
• Cream Cheese (softened)
• Unsalted Butter (softened)
• Vanilla Extract
• Purple Food Coloring (optional for frosting accents)

Variations for Purple Velvet Cake

• Go Bold with Color: Add a tiny drop of blue food coloring along with purple for a richer hue.
• Frosting Twists: Mix in a tablespoon of raspberry jam into the frosting for a berry-flavored surprise.
• Cupcake Version: Bake the batter into cupcakes and top each one with a swirl of frosting.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a trusted gluten-free baking blend.

How to Make Purple Velvet Cake: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Cake Pans

Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter. Line the bottoms with parchment paper. Lightly dust the pans with cocoa powder to help the cakes release easily.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside for now.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. This helps create that tender crumb.

4. Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract until everything looks smooth and creamy.

5. Add the Buttermilk, Vinegar, and Color

Pour the buttermilk into a measuring cup. Stir in the white vinegar. Add the purple food coloring to this mixture. It should turn into a bright purple liquid.

6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Beat on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.

7. Bake the Cake

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for about 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Cool the Cakes

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then gently remove them from the pans and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

How to Make the White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Melt the white chocolate and let it cool slightly.
2. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
3. Add the melted white chocolate and vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined.
4. If you want, you can stir in a little purple food coloring for decorative frosting swirls.
5. Chill the frosting for about 10 minutes if it feels too soft before spreading.

Serving and Decoration

How to Serve Purple Velvet Cake

• Classic Style: Frost the top of one cake layer, stack the second on top, and cover the whole cake in a generous layer of frosting.
• Fancy Finish: Use an offset spatula to make swirls and peaks in the frosting. Decorate with purple sprinkles, edible glitter, or fresh berries if you like.
• For a Party: Slice into small squares and serve as individual cake bites.

Storing Purple Velvet Cake

• Room Temperature: If your kitchen is cool, the frosted cake can sit out covered for up to 1 day.
• Refrigerator: Store covered in the fridge for up to 4–5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
• Freezing: Unfrosted cake layers freeze well. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, buttermilk, and cream cheese are all at room temperature for the smoothest batter and frosting.
• Don’t Overmix: Stop mixing once the flour disappears into the batter. Overmixing can make the cake dense.
• Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring gives a richer color without thinning the batter.
• Cool Cakes Completely: Always let the cake layers cool fully before frosting, or the frosting will melt and slide off.
• Level the Layers: If needed, trim the tops of your cake layers with a serrated knife for a flat, professional finish.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size	1 slice (1/12 of cake)
Calories	480
Total Fat	28g
Saturated Fat	16g
Cholesterol	95mg
Sodium	320mg
Total Carbohydrates	53g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Sugars	36g
Protein	5g

Nutrition values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients used.

Purple Velvet Cake FAQs

Q: Can I make this cake ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can bake the cake layers 1–2 days ahead. Wrap tightly and store at room temperature. Frost before serving.

Q: Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
A: For best results, use buttermilk. If needed, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.

Q: How can I intensify the purple color?
A: Add a tiny touch of blue food coloring to deepen the purple shade.

Q: Is it necessary to use white chocolate in the frosting?
A: No, but it adds a unique sweet, creamy flavor. You can skip it for a classic cream cheese frosting.

Conclusion

This Purple Velvet Cake is a beautiful and delicious twist on a classic. It’s soft, moist, and perfectly sweet, wrapped in a silky white chocolate cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re baking for a celebration or just because, this cake brings a little magic to the table.

Take your time, enjoy the process, and don’t stress if your frosting swirls aren’t perfect. The beauty is in the homemade charm. Happy baking!