Green Velvet Cake (Printable Version)

Vibrant green layers with subtle cocoa flavor topped with tangy cream cheese frosting.

# 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

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat sugar and oil until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each.
04 - Stir in buttermilk, vanilla extract, vinegar, and green food coloring. Whisk until the mixture is evenly green.
05 - Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two batches, mixing just until incorporated.
06 - Divide the batter evenly between the prepared 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 them 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.
11 - Decorate with green sprinkles or crumbs from trimmed cake edges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The gentle cocoa flavor keeps it sophisticated while that shock of green makes people smile before they even take a bite
  • Cream cheese frosting transforms the tender crumb into something that feels like a celebration regardless of the occasion
02 -
  • Gel food coloring is nonnegotiable here because liquid coloring will throw off your batter consistency and give you a weird texture
  • The vinegar might seem strange but it is essential for that classic velvet crumb, so do not skip it
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients blend together seamlessly and prevent the batter from curdling
  • Sift your powdered sugar before adding it to the frosting to avoid those stubborn lumps

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