If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s as dazzling to look at as it is delicious to eat, this Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is an absolute must-bake. Imagine tender, plush layers with a regal purple hue, all swathed in a cloud of tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting. Whether it’s for a birthday, special celebration, or just because, this cake never fails to spark joy and conversation. The magic lies not just in its looks, but in the perfect balance of classic red velvet flavor, only with an enchanting twist. Trust me: this is the kind of treat that makes everyone’s eyes light up the moment you set it on the table!

Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Despite its eye-catching appearance, the ingredient list for this cake sticks to the simple but essentials, each playing a role in the irresistibly soft crumb, rich color, and tangy-sweet frosting. Pay a little attention to your measurements and a couple tips below, and you’ll be all set!

All-purpose flour: Gives the cake its soft structure; be sure to sift it for that plush, velvet crumb.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens up the cake and helps create that moist texture everyone loves.
Baking soda: Provides just the right amount of lift for fluffy, tender layers.
Cocoa powder: Supplies subtle chocolate notes—just enough to deepen flavor, not dominate.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out all the best flavors.
Eggs: Bind everything together while adding a bit of richness.
Vegetable oil: Ensures every bite is wonderfully moist and tender.
Buttermilk (room temperature): The secret to that classic velvet-only tang and softer-than-air crumb.
White vinegar: Works with the baking soda and buttermilk to keep the cake extra light.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the other flavors with its warm, sweet aroma.
Purple gel food coloring (as needed): Gel is key here—it delivers vibrant, even color without thinning the batter.
Cream cheese (softened): The star of our frosting—tangy, creamy, and irresistible.
Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and helps the frosting whip up nice and fluffy.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting to silky perfection and helps it spread beautifully.
Vanilla extract (for frosting): Gives the frosting that classic old-fashioned flair.
Pinch of salt (for frosting): A little goes a long way to balance the sweetness.

How to Make Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. This little bit of prep is your insurance for perfectly turning out cakes that come out cleanly every time—no heartbreaking stuck bottoms in sight!

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt. Sifting not only gets rid of lumps, it also will help ensure each bite is divinely silky and even.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients and Color

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, white vinegar, vanilla extract, and enough purple gel food coloring to capture your ideal shade of deep, dreamy purple. Gel food coloring is best for bold hues that won’t water down your batter, so don’t be shy—add a little extra for a truly regal tone!

Step 4: Bring It Together

Pour the wet ingredients right into your bowl of dry ingredients and gently mix until you no longer see streaks of flour. The key here is not to overmix—just stir until smooth for the softest crumb possible. Your batter should look sumptuously purple and ready for the oven!

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and pop them in the oven for 30–35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely. This helps maintain moisture and makes for easier frosting later on.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While your cakes cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until fully combined and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for perfect balance. You want a luscious, spreadable frosting that holds up but feels cloud-like on the tongue.

Step 7: Assemble and Frost

Set one cake layer on your serving plate and swoop a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on top. Add the second layer and cover the whole cake in that dreamy frosting—smooth and swirl to your heart’s content! Decorate simply or go wild with sprinkles, edible glitter, or purple-themed decor.

How to Serve Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Garnishes

Once your Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is beautifully frosted, you can take it up a notch with delightful garnishes. Try a flourish of fresh berries, purple sprinkles, edible flowers, or even a few white chocolate curls for added drama. Each garnish brings a touch of flair that makes the cake even more memorable.

Side Dishes

This celebration-worthy cake pairs perfectly with fresh fruit or a mug of aromatic coffee or tea. You might serve small glasses of milk (for the little ones) or a light fruit salad on the side for a refreshing contrast. Keep it simple—the cake is really the star!

Creative Ways to Present

Take your presentation to the next level by slicing the cake at the table to reveal its jaw-dropping purple layers, or consider mini individual cakes for a party. You could even layer cubes of cake and frosting in glasses for stunning trifle parfaits—this dessert is made for showing off!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, simply store your Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting in the refrigerator, covered well to keep it moist. Homemade cakes stay freshest for about three to four days, so try to enjoy those last slices while they’re still at their best.

Freezing

To freeze, wrap individual slices or whole, unfrosted cake layers tightly with plastic wrap and foil. The cream cheese frosting can also be frozen separately in an airtight container. Thaw everything in the refrigerator overnight before assembling or serving.

Reheating

Since this cake is best served at room temperature, let refrigerated slices sit out for 30 minutes before eating. If you love your cake a little warmer, pop it (unfrosted) in the microwave for just 10 seconds. Never overheat, so the cream cheese frosting stays smooth and creamy!

FAQs

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?

While you can use liquid food coloring, gel is strongly recommended for this Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting because it delivers a much more vibrant purple without interfering with the cake’s moisture. If using liquid, expect a lighter hue and monitor the batter’s consistency carefully.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

No worries! You can easily make a buttermilk substitute: stir 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice into just under 1 cup of regular milk, let it sit for five minutes, and use as directed in the recipe. It’ll provide the same tenderness and subtle tang!

Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend. The cake will still be soft, vibrant, and full of flavor—just be sure your blend contains xanthan gum to help with texture.

How can I get perfectly even layers?

For lovely even layers in your Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, use a kitchen scale to evenly divide the batter between pans. After baking, you can gently trim the domed tops with a serrated knife for a bakery-quality finish.

Why is my cream cheese frosting runny?

This most often happens if the cream cheese or butter is too warm, or if you’ve added the powdered sugar too quickly. To fix it, try chilling the frosting for 15–20 minutes or adding a little extra powdered sugar until it’s the right texture for spreading.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend enough making this Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting for your next celebration or cozy gathering—all it takes is one slice to turn any moment into something truly special. Whip it up, share it with people you love, and get ready for questions (and recipe requests) to come pouring in!