Description
There’s cake… and then there’s Decadent Royal Purple Velvet Cake—a dessert so rich in color and flavor it feels truly regal.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- Purple gel food coloring (adjust to desired intensity)
For the Frosting (Cream Cheese Version):
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper circles.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Sift if desired for extra lightness.
In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth. Add buttermilk, vanilla, vinegar, and purple food coloring. Mix until fully combined and vibrant in color.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating just until smooth. Be careful not to overmix, as this can toughen the cake texture.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Once the cake layers are completely cool, frost with the cream cheese frosting. Stack, spread, and smooth the sides and top with an offset spatula.
Notes
Use gel food coloring rather than liquid for a more intense purple without thinning the batter.
Let your eggs and buttermilk come to room temperature for better mixing.
Don’t skip the vinegar—it activates the baking soda and gives the cake a tender crumb.
Sift dry ingredients for a lighter, fluffier texture.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10–12
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
Keywords: Decadent Royal Purple Velvet Cake