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Purple Velvet Cake

A stunning and soft Purple Velvet Cake, effortlessly elegant, paired with smooth white chocolate cream cheese frosting.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 32 minutes
Total Time 52 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Ingredients
  • 2.5 cups cake flour or 2 cups all purpose flour plus 2 tablespoons cornstarch Use cake flour for best results.
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon fine salt
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 0.5 cup neutral oil
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature Bring to room temperature for better mixing.
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon natural cocoa powder Adds depth without turning the cake chocolatey.
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • to taste Purple gel food color Use gel or paste for a vibrant color.
Frosting Ingredients
  • 6 ounces white chocolate, chopped Microwave in short bursts for melting.
  • 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2.5 to 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted Adjust based on desired sweetness.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch salt

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and line two 8-inch round pans with parchment.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa. Set aside.
Mixing
  1. In a mixer, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Stream in oil. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla.
  2. Stir gel color into the buttermilk until it looks vibrant purple.
  3. Add half the dry mix, then the purple buttermilk, then the remaining dry mix. Mix just until combined.
Baking
  1. Divide batter into prepared pans. Bake for 26 to 32 minutes or until a toothpick shows moist crumbs.
  2. Cool completely.
Frosting
  1. For frosting, microwave white chocolate in short bursts until melted and smooth. Let it cool for 10 minutes.
  2. Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add cooled white chocolate, vanilla, and salt. Beat in powdered sugar until fluffy.
Assembly
  1. Level cake layers if needed. Spread frosting between layers and all over the cake. Chill for 20 minutes for clean slices.

Notes

To keep cake moist, wrap cooled layers in plastic and chill before frosting. Cover and refrigerate after frosting. Can be made gluten-free with a suitable blend.