Purple Velvet Cake is a delightful twist on the classic red velvet cake, featuring a vibrant purple hue and a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for special occasions or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, this cake is sure to impress with its striking appearance and delectable flavor. Let’s dive into this step-by-step recipe!
Ingredients :
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon purple food coloring (or enough to achieve desired color)
for the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 pound cream cheese, softened
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
Directions :
for Making the Cake
- Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to ensure your cake doesn’t stick. - Sift Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. This step ensures that all the dry ingredients are well-combined and any lumps are removed. - Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, gently beat together the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract using a handheld electric mixer. Once these ingredients are well incorporated, add the purple food coloring to achieve your desired shade of purple. - Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients. Mix until the batter is smooth and thoroughly combined. - Bake the Cake
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing them from the pans to cool completely.
for Making the Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth. - Add Confectioners’ Sugar
Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar to the bowl. Beat on low speed until the sugar is fully incorporated, then increase the speed to high and mix until the frosting is very light and fluffy.
Assemble the Purple Velvet Cake
Once the cakes have cooled completely, generously frost them with the cream cheese frosting. Make sure to cover the top and sides of the cake for a beautiful finish.
Final Touches
Serve this stunning Purple Velvet Cake at your next gathering and watch as your guests marvel at its unique color and delicious taste. This recipe yields 12 servings, making it perfect for sharing.
Prep Time and Nutritional Information
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Calories: 590 kcal per serving
- Servings: 12 servings
Serving and Storage Tips :
Serving Tips
- Ideal Serving Temperature
Serve the Purple Velvet Cake at room temperature. This allows the cake to be moist and the cream cheese frosting to be soft and creamy. - Garnishing Ideas
- Fresh Berries: Top the cake with fresh berries like blueberries or blackberries for a pop of color and a fresh contrast.
- Edible Flowers: Decorate with edible flowers like pansies or violets to enhance the visual appeal.
- Shaved Chocolate: Add shaved white or dark chocolate on top for an elegant touch and added texture.
- Serving Size
Cut the cake into 12 equal slices to ensure each serving provides the perfect balance of cake and frosting.
Storage Tips
- Refrigeration
Store the cake in the refrigerator if not consuming immediately, especially if you live in a warm climate. The cream cheese frosting needs to be kept cool to prevent it from spoiling. - Airtight Container
Place the cake in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out and absorbing other odors from the refrigerator. - Shelf Life
The cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. - Freezing the Cake
If you need to store the cake for a longer period:- Whole Cake: Wrap the entire frosted cake in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Individual Slices: Cut the cake into slices, wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, place them in a zip-top bag, and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thawing Instructions
- Whole Cake: Thaw the wrapped cake in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the foil and plastic wrap, then let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before serving.
- Individual Slices: Thaw slices in the refrigerator for a few hours or at room temperature for about an hour.
By following these serving and storage tips, you can enjoy your Purple Velvet Cake at its best, whether freshly baked or stored for later indulgence.
Variations :
1. Purple Velvet Cupcakes
Transform the classic cake into portable, single-serving cupcakes.
Ingredients Adjustments:
- Use the same batter recipe, but divide it among cupcake liners in a muffin tin.
Baking Instructions:
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Frost each cupcake with the cream cheese frosting and add a decorative touch with sprinkles or edible glitter.
2. Purple Velvet Cake Pops
Turn your cake into fun and festive cake pops.
Ingredients Adjustments:
- Prepare the cake and frosting as usual.
Assembly Instructions:
- Once the cake is baked and cooled, crumble it into fine crumbs in a large bowl.
- Mix in enough cream cheese frosting to create a dough-like consistency.
- Roll the mixture into small balls and insert a lollipop stick into each ball.
- Freeze the cake pops for about 15 minutes to firm up.
- Dip each cake pop into melted white or dark chocolate, then let them set on parchment paper.
3. Purple Velvet Layer Cake with Different Fillings
Add layers of different fillings for a more complex flavor profile.
Filling Ideas:
- Berry Compote: Spread a layer of homemade or store-bought berry compote between the cake layers.
- Lemon Curd: Add a tangy layer of lemon curd for a burst of citrus flavor.
- Chocolate Ganache: Include a rich layer of chocolate ganache for added decadence.
Assembly Instructions:
- Prepare the cake and frosting as directed.
- Spread your chosen filling between the cake layers before frosting the entire cake with cream cheese frosting.
4. Gluten-Free Purple Velvet Cake
Make a gluten-free version for those with dietary restrictions.
Ingredients Adjustments:
- Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum or add it separately).
Baking Instructions:
- Follow the same baking instructions as the original recipe. Check for doneness with a toothpick.
5. Vegan Purple Velvet Cake
Create a vegan version of the cake without compromising on taste.
Ingredients Adjustments:
- Replace buttermilk with a mixture of almond milk and apple cider vinegar (1 cup almond milk + 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, let sit for a few minutes).
- Substitute eggs with flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tablespoons water, let sit for a few minutes).
- Use vegan butter and vegan cream cheese for the frosting.
Baking Instructions:
- Follow the same baking instructions, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
6. Purple Velvet Cheesecake
Combine the flavors of purple velvet cake and cheesecake for a unique dessert.
Ingredients Adjustments:
- Prepare a graham cracker crust (or use store-bought) and press it into the bottom of a springform pan.
- Prepare the purple velvet cake batter and pour it over the crust.
- Prepare a simple cheesecake batter and swirl it into the cake batter.
Baking Instructions:
- Bake at 325°F (160°C) for about 50-60 minutes or until the center is set.
- Cool completely before removing from the pan and frosting with cream cheese frosting.
These variations of Purple Velvet Cake offer delightful twists to suit different occasions and preferences, ensuring there’s a version for everyone to enjoy!
FAQs :
1. Can I make Purple Velvet Cake without food coloring?
Yes, you can make Purple Velvet Cake without food coloring. However, the distinctive purple color will be missing. You can use natural alternatives like beet juice or blueberry puree, but the color might not be as vibrant.
2. What can I use instead of buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by mixing 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using it in the recipe.
3. How do I prevent my cake from sticking to the pans?
To prevent sticking, grease and flour your cake pans thoroughly. You can also use parchment paper to line the bottom of the pans for extra insurance against sticking.
4. Can I use a different type of frosting?
Absolutely! While cream cheese frosting complements the flavor of Purple Velvet Cake perfectly, you can use other types like buttercream, whipped cream, or even a ganache.
5. How can I make my cake extra moist?
To ensure your cake is extra moist, avoid overmixing the batter. Also, be careful not to overbake the cake. Baking it just until a toothpick comes out clean will help retain moisture.
Enjoy baking and indulging in this beautiful and flavorful Purple Velvet Cake! 💜