Explore a delightful twist on a classic with this Blue Velvet Cake recipe, perfect for making any occasion extra special. This cake stands out with its stunning blue hue, layered with rich cream cheese frosting and fresh blueberries. Not only does it provide a visual feast, but the blend of textures and flavors will surely captivate your taste buds.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons natural cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon vinegar
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon blue food coloring
- ½ teaspoon violet food coloring
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 10 ounces cream cheese
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- Fresh blueberries, for layering and decoration
Preparation Steps
- Preheat and Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line four 6-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and lightly coat with non-stick spray to ensure easy removal after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. The natural cocoa powder not only enhances the flavor but also aids in achieving the vibrant blue hue of the cake.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process helps to incorporate air into the batter, making the cake lighter.
- Incorporate Eggs and Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, ensuring each is fully integrated before adding the next. Follow with the sour cream, vanilla extract, and vinegar, which enrich the flavor and texture of the cake.
- Combine Ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined. Tint the batter with blue and violet food coloring to reach the desired shade.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, continuing to beat until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.
- Assemble the Cake: Layer the cooled cakes with cream cheese frosting, adding a generous amount of fresh blueberries between each layer. For a finished look, coat the outside with more frosting or decorate with cake crumbs to add texture.
Tips for Perfect Blue Velvet Cake
- Color Adjustments: Experiment with the proportions of blue and violet food coloring to achieve your preferred shade of blue.
- Brighter Colors: Use natural cocoa powder rather than dutch-processed to maintain the bright color of the cake.
- Berry Freshness: Fresh blueberries not only add a burst of flavor and texture but also beautifully complement the blue theme of the cake.
This Blue Velvet Cake recipe offers a creative and delightful take on the traditional red velvet cake, perfect for any celebration. Its visually appealing blue layers, paired with the creamy texture of cream cheese frosting and the tartness of fresh blueberries, create a perfect balance that’s sure to impress at your next gathering. Enjoy the process of baking this exquisite cake and watch it become the highlight of your dessert table!
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