Blue Velvet Cake
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep and Dry Ingredients 🎂🔥
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2.5 cups of flour, 2 tbsp of cocoa powder, 1 tsp of baking soda, and 1 tsp of salt. Set aside.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients & Bring on the Blue! 🎨🌀
- In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer), beat the 1.5 cups of sugar and 1 cup of vegetable oil together until combined.
- Add the 2 eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in the 1 tsp of vanilla extract, 1 tbsp of white vinegar, and the 1 cup of buttermilk.
- Mix in the royal blue gel food coloring until the batter reaches a rich, uniform navy or royal blue shade.
Step 3: Combine and Bake 🌾🥄
- Gradually add your dry ingredients into the wet blue mixture. Mix on low speed just until the flour disappears. Be careful not to over-mix, or the cake will lose its signature tender, velvety crumb!
- Divide the batter evenly between your two prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then invert them onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely to room temperature.
Step 4: Whip Up the Fluffy Frosting 🧀🧁
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together on medium-high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until completely smooth and free of lumps.
- Add the 1.5 tsp of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating on low speed until combined, then crank the speed to high for another minute until the frosting is light, fluffy, and spreadable.
