green velvet cake, a vibrant and delicious dessert, isn’t just a treat; it’s a memory waiting to be made. The first time I baked a green velvet cake was for a St Patrick Day celebration, attempting to capture the magic of the holiday in a single slice. The joy of seeing my family’s eyes light up at the sight of this emerald beauty sparked a passion that I hope to share with you today as you bake this exciting green velvet cake. Get ready to whisk, mix, and bake your way to a delightful dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, especially around St Patrick’s Day!
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Why You Will Love This green velvet cake Recipe
This green velvet cake recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. The velvety texture, the subtle cocoa flavor, and the eye-catching green hue make it a showstopper at any gathering. It’s surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers, and the results are always impressive. Most importantly, it tastes amazing! It’s a recipe that invites creativity, allowing you to customize the frosting and decorations to your liking. Whether it’s a St Patrick cake or a dessert you want to stand out among the rest, trust this one to wow your loved ones.
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Ingredients Needed for This green velvet cake Recipe
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ounce green food coloring (gel is recommended for vibrancy)
- 1 cup boiling water
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons milk or cream, for desired consistency
How to Make This green velvet cake Recipe
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9inch round cake pans. For easier removal, line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and green food coloring. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Slowly pour in the boiling water while mixing on low speed. The batter will be thin. This is normal.
- 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. Check for golden undertones.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until combined. Add the vanilla extract and milk or cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one cake layer with cream cheese frosting, place the second layer on top, and frost the entire cake.
- Decorate as desired. A sprinkle of green sugar or some St Patrick holiday themed sprinkles can make it extra special!
How to Serve This green velvet cake Recipe
Serve your green velvet cake chilled or at room temperature. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra treat. For a festive presentation, garnish with fresh berries or mint leaves. Consider serving alongside a cup of hot coffee or tea to complement the richness of the cake and frosting. For the St Patrick celebration, it looks amazing to add a clover motif for a final touch.
How to Store This green velvet cake Recipe
Refrigeration: Store leftover green velvet cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This helps the frosting stay firm and keeps the cake moist.
Freezing: You can freeze the cake layers (unfrosted) individually for up to 2-3 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting. Frosted cake can also be frozen, but the frosting’s texture may change slightly.
Reheating: While this cake is best served cold or at room temperature, if you want to soften a refrigerated slice, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Tips to Make This green velvet cake Recipe
- Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring provides a more vibrant color without adding extra liquid to the batter.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can result in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for a smooth and creamy frosting.
- Leveling the Cakes: If your cakes have a dome, use a serrated knife to level them before frosting for a more professional look.
- Flavor Boost: Add a teaspoon of almond extract to the cake batter for a more complex flavor profile.
Helpful Notes for This green velvet cake Recipe
- Buttermilk Substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- Cocoa Powder Type: Use unsweetened cocoa powder for the best flavor. Dutch processed or natural cocoa powder will work.
- Cake Pan Preparation: For extra insurance against sticking, dust the greased cake pans with a mixture of flour and cocoa powder instead of just flour.
Variation of This green velvet cake Recipe
- Chocolate green velvet cake: Add ½ cup of melted chocolate chips to the batter for a richer chocolate flavor.
- Mint green velvet cake: Infuse the frosting with mint extract or mix in chopped fresh mint leaves for a refreshing twist.
- St Patrick’s Theme: Decorate with green sprinkles, shamrock candies, or edible gold dust for a festive St Patrick Day cake.
- Cupcakes green velvet cake: Turn this recipe into cupcakes by reducing the baking time to 18-20 minutes.
What makes green velvet cake different from red velvet cake?
Green velvet cake uses the same base recipe as red velvet cake but utilizes green food coloring (or natural alternatives like spinach powder) instead of red. The taste remains similar, offering a mild cocoa flavor with a tangy buttermilk note.
Can I make green velvet cake without food coloring?
Yes, you can use natural green food coloring alternatives like spinach powder or matcha powder. Be aware that these alternatives may slightly alter the cake’s flavor and color intensity but provide a more natural option.
How do I prevent my green velvet cake from being dry?
To prevent a dry cake, avoid overbaking and measure ingredients precisely, especially flour. Using buttermilk and oil in the recipe contributes to moisture. Also, ensure your oven temperature is accurate by using an oven thermometer.
Conclusion
This green velvet cake, with its stunning color and velvety texture, is sure to be a highlight at your next celebration. It’s a relatively easy recipe to make and yields impressive results that will have everyone asking for seconds. So, gather your mixing bowls, preheat your oven and enjoy the entire process of creating this delicious masterpiece. Don’t forget to share your feedback; we’d love to hear how your green velvet cake turned out!
Green Velvet Cake: The EASIEST St Patrick’s Day Dessert
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This vibrant green velvet cake recipe is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any festive occasion. Its velvety texture and cream cheese frosting make it a delightful dessert that’s as fun to bake as it is to eat.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ounce green food coloring (gel recommended)
- 1 cup boiling water
- —
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–4 tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, oil, eggs, cocoa powder, vanilla, and green food coloring.
- Gradually add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, mixing on low until combined.
- Slowly pour in boiling water while mixing on low.
- Divide batter evenly between cake pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack.
- Prepare cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low until combined. Add vanilla and milk/cream to reach desired consistency.
- Once cakes are cool, frost top of one layer, place second layer on top, and frost entire cake.
- Decorate as desired.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: green velvet cake, St Patrick cake, cream cheese frosting, dessert recipe