Blue velvet cake is an eye-catching and delicious variation of the famous red velvet cake. With its striking blue hue, tender crumb, and signature hint of cocoa, this cake is perfect for special occasions, themed parties, and celebrations. The flavor is a delightful balance between chocolate and vanilla, made even better with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re making this cake for a birthday, wedding, or just because, blue velvet cake is guaranteed to impress. In this recipe, we’ll guide you through every step to ensure your cake turns out moist, flavorful, and visually stunning.
What Makes Blue Velvet Cake Special?
Velvet cakes have a unique texture that is soft, moist, and slightly dense. Traditionally, red velvet cake gets its color from cocoa powder reacting with acidic ingredients like buttermilk and vinegar. For blue velvet cake, we replace the red food coloring with blue while maintaining the same great taste and texture. The result is a vibrant blue cake with a rich, slightly tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients for Blue Velvet Cake
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon royal blue gel food coloring (or more for desired shade)
- ½ teaspoon violet food coloring (optional, to deepen the blue tone)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (optional, for a silkier texture)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Mix the Wet and Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, vinegar, and food coloring.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk mixture. Start and end with the dry ingredients.
- Mix until just combined. Do not overmix to keep the cake tender.
Step 4: Bake the Cake
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 5: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and heavy cream, if using, until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
Step 6: Assemble the Cake
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous layer of frosting on top.
- Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with a thin crumb coat.
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes, then apply a final layer of frosting.
- Decorate as desired and serve.
Tips for the Perfect Blue Velvet Cake
- Use gel food coloring for a vibrant blue color without altering the texture.
- Do not overmix the batter, as it can make the cake dense.
- Chill the cake layers before frosting to make the process easier.
- Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
This blue velvet cake is not only stunning but also incredibly delicious. Whether you’re making it for a themed party or simply to enjoy something unique, it’s sure to be a showstopper. Give this recipe a try and delight your guests with this colorful, flavorful masterpiece!