Purple Velvet Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup buttermilk (or substitute with 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar)
3 large eggs
2 tbsp purple food coloring (gel or liquid)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp white vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper circles.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, purple food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar until combined.
Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 4-5 minutes).
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Alternately add the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients into the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense.
Bake the Cake:
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool the Cake:
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting:
While the cakes cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until the frosting is thick and fluffy.
Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
Assemble the Cake:
Once the cakes are completely cool, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top of the first cake layer.
Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting.
Serve and Enjoy:
Slice and serve your beautiful purple velvet cake! You can optionally decorate the cake with edible flowers, purple sprinkles, or a dusting of edible glitter for added flair.