Ultimate Purple Velvet Cake (Made with Natural Purple Food Coloring — Water-Soluble Extract)

Dolce Flav
Servings

16

Prep Time

25 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Category

Natural Purple Food Coloring - Water Soluble

Make cocoa-and-buttermilk cake layers with a purple cream-cheese frosting finish. The linked Natural Purple Food Coloring is for the cooled frosting after heating; it should not be treated as a heat-validated color for the 350°F cake batter.

Keep natural purple color in the cooled frostingNatural Purple Food Coloring is water-soluble and made from red radish and huito. Its current guidance specifies cold and post-bake applications. Measure according to its product directions in a small portion of the cooled frosting and judge the finished shade. Use a separately suitable, baking-supported color only if you want a colored cake crumb.

Purple velvet is different from ube cakePurple describes the appearance of this cake; food color does not add an ube flavor profile. For an ube dessert, see our ube coconut chiffon cake recipe and compare the Purple, Clear and Natural Ube flavor formulas.

Use the listed cake methodKeep the flour, cocoa, buttermilk and other base ingredients listed in the card. Follow its pan, baking and cooling method, and frost only after the layers have cooled. Do not transfer these quantities or times automatically to a boxed cake mix or another pan.

Ingredients

    Cake

    • 2¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
    • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
    • 1½ tsp baking powder
    • 1 tsp baking soda
    • 1 tsp fine salt
    • 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (for depth, optional)
    • 3 large eggs, room temperature
    • 1½ cups (360 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
    • ¾ cup (180 ml) vegetable oil (or melted butter)
    • 1 tbsp white vinegar
    • 2 tsp vanilla extract
    • Optional color suitable for baking — follow that product’s directions. Reserve the linked Natural Purple Food Coloring for cooled frosting.

    Frosting

    • 12 oz (340 g) cream cheese, softened
    • 8 oz (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
    • 4 cups (480 g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • Natural Purple Food Coloring for cooled frosting — measured amount according to its current product directions

    Optional garnishes: fresh blackberries/blueberries, edible flowers, purple sprinkles.

      Directions

      1. Preheat & prep pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round pans and line bottoms with parchment.
      2. Dry mix: Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa (if using) in a large bowl.
      3. Wet mix: Whisk eggs, buttermilk, oil, vinegar and vanilla until smooth. Do not add the linked cold/post-bake Natural Purple Food Coloring to this hot-baked batter. If a colored crumb is required, use a separate color whose directions explicitly support baking.
      4. Combine: Gradually add wet ingredients to dry, mixing on low until just combined. Scrape the bowl — batter should be smooth and pourable.
      5. Bake: Divide batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake 22–26 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Rotate pans halfway if needed.
      6. Cool: Let cakes cool in pans 10 minutes, then invert to racks to cool completely. Chill for 30 minutes before leveling to make frosting easier.
      7. Make the purple frosting finish: Beat cream cheese and butter until silky. Add vanilla and gradually mix in confectioners’ sugar to the required consistency. Test a measured amount of Natural Purple Food Coloring in a small portion of the cooled frosting, following its current directions, then blend it through the full frosting batch. Do not assume different pigments or recipes need the same drop count.
      8. Assemble & finish: Level cake layers. Place first layer on cake board, spread 1 cup frosting, repeat. Apply a thin crumb coat, chill 20 minutes, then finish with final coat and decorative swirls. Garnish and refrigerate until serving.
      9. Serve: Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before slicing for best texture.

      Natural Food Coloring - Water Soluble

      Product Guide