Crimson Velvet Cake – A Stunning Mess

Earlier this week, I made this purple velvet cake for my thirty ninth birthday. I introduced it to my e-book membership, which occurred to be assembly that night, and it was devoured. And sure, I made them sing so I might blow out candles and make a want. I’m shameless! The reality is I’ve been making this purple velvet cake recipe for practically 20 years now. That is the recipe I used again after we had a neighborhood retailer with a candy store stocked with cupcakes inside. IMHO, it’s the finest purple velvet cake recipe!

What I really like about this purple velvet cake is it’s tremendous, and I imply tremendous, moist. The cake is delicate and spongy, flippantly chocolate and stained a deep purple. The cream cheese frosting is creamy, decadent, however not too candy. And what’s type of fascinating about this purple velvet cake recipe is it doesn’t include any buttermilk, or milk, or eggs and even butter. The cake occurs to be dairy free and made with all-purpose flour. So even probably the most informal baker probably has all of the elements wanted readily available. The cream cheese frosting is totally NOT dairy-free, however it’s easy with solely 5 elements. So, in case you are in search of a simple purple velvet cake with cream cheese frosting that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture, that is it!

Associated: Should you love this recipe, subsequent up, attempt purple velvet cookies or pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting.

Elements

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated white sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• Canola oil
• White vinegar
• Water
• Crimson meals coloring – I like to make use of gel meals dye
• Cream cheese
• Unsalted butter
• Powdered sugar – additionally referred to as confectioner’s sugar
• Salt

Directions

For the cake, whisk collectively the dry elements: flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Then stir within the moist elements: vanilla, oil, vinegar and water. This may make a really moist cake batter. Final, stir within the purple meals coloring.

Put together the baking pans. I add parchment paper to the bottoms after which spray properly across the edges with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the batter into the pans, dividing it evenly. Place the pan on a baking sheet, to make them simpler to maneuver, and bake at 350°F for half-hour. To verify if they’re executed, insert a toothpick to the middle of the cake. If it comes out clear (no moist batter connected), it’s executed. Permit the desserts to chill within the pans earlier than eradicating.

To make the frosting, begin with softened (room temperature) cream cheese and butter. I normally set mine out (within the package deal) the evening earlier than on my kitchen counter. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or giant bowl with an electrical hand mixer, whip collectively the cream cheese and butter till clean. Then combine within the vanilla extract. Then add the powdered sugar a cup at a time, mixing in between (or with a stand mixer working on low) till the frosting comes collectively. Scrape down the edges of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure all of the sugar is getting included properly. Add the salt with the final of the powdered sugar.

Take away the desserts from the pan. I normally run a knife alongside the perimeters between the cake and pan to ensure they’re loosened. Then I invert them onto a cooling rack. Assemble your cake with a thick layer of frosting between the cake layers and on prime. I like to make use of an offset spatula to frost a cake. You should have loads of frosting if you wish to frost the edges as properly.

Suggestions and Notes

• As an alternative of canola oil you can use vegetable oil or another flavorless or gentle flavored cooking oil.
• Should you don’t need to use purple dye, you can attempt one thing pure like powdered (dehydrated) raspberries, cranberries or beets. Whereas I don’t mandatory need purple meals dye in my meals more often than not, I are likely to make an exception for a cake I solely eat a couple of times a 12 months, however that’s simply me.
• I baked this cake in two 8-inch spherical cake pans at 350°F for half-hour. Should you use two 9-inch spherical pans, you could need to scale back the bake time to round 25-27 minutes. Should you bake this recipe in a big cupcake pan, you could need to scale back the bake time to 22-24 minutes. The toothpick check is the best way to go to make sure they’re executed!
• Should you do make this recipe into purple velvet cupcakes, I’d suggest reducing the frosting recipe in half or perhaps 2/3. It makes loads of frosting for a cake however an excessive amount of for cupcakes, IMO. (And I like lots of frosting, for the file.)
• You’ll be able to retailer leftover purple velvet cake in an hermetic container within the fridge for at the least 3 days. I do suggest refrigerating as soon as the cake is frosted because the cream cheese frosting does, in fact, include dairy.

Extra Cake and Dessert Recipes