Green Velvet Cake (Printable)

Vibrant emerald layers with gentle cocoa notes and tangy cream cheese frosting create this stunning festive dessert perfect for celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake Batter

01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 1½ cups granulated sugar
06 - 1 cup vegetable oil
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
09 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
10 - 1 teaspoon white vinegar
11 - 1–1½ tablespoons green gel food coloring

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

12 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
13 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
14 - 3½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
16 - Pinch of salt

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat sugar and oil in a large bowl until combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
04 - Stir in buttermilk, vanilla extract, vinegar, and green food coloring. Whisk until mixture is evenly colored.
05 - Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in two batches, mixing just until incorporated.
06 - Divide batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
07 - Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks and let cool completely.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt; beat until light and creamy.
10 - Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread frosting over the top. Place second layer on top and frost the entire cake. Decorate with green sprinkles or cake crumbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crumb is impossibly tender, like eating a cloud that happens to taste like chocolate and happiness
  • That stunning green color makes people gasp before they even take a bite
  • The tangy cream cheese frosting balances the subtle cocoa perfectly
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients blend together properly and prevent curdling, so plan ahead
  • Gel food coloring is far superior to liquid for achieving that vibrant green color
  • The vinegar reacts with the buttermilk to create that signature velvet texture
03 -
  • Rotate the cake pans halfway through baking for even rising
  • If you don't have buttermilk, mix one cup milk with one tablespoon vinegar and let it sit for five minutes
  • The vinegar might seem strange, but it's essential for that velvet texture and subtle tang

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