Description

This Blue Velvet Cake is a visually stunning and delicious twist on the classic red velvet, featuring a sky blue hue that makes it perfect for special occasions or whenever you want a beautiful dessert. Made with a moist, fluffy cake base and topped with a creamy blue buttercream frosting, this recipe also includes a rich chocolate ganache topping with semi-sweet chocolate chips and heavy cream. The cake is layered and decorated to impress both in taste and appearance.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Batter

1 cup whole milk
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
5 large egg whites
3-5 drops of Sky Blue gel food coloring

Buttercream Frosting

3 cups unsalted butter (softened)
6 cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons pure vanilla extract
5-6 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Sky blue gel food coloring (to desired shade)

Chocolate Ganache

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup heavy whipping cream

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray three 8-inch cake pans with non-stick cooking spray to ensure the cakes do not stick and set them aside.
Mix Milk and Vanilla: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the whole milk and 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. Set this mixture aside for later use in the batter.
Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer, beat the softened 1 cup unsalted butter and 2 cups sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes several minutes.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the 3 cups flour and 1 tablespoon baking powder to distribute the leavening agent evenly through the flour.
Add Dry and Wet Ingredients Alternately: Gradually add the flour mixture and the milk mixture alternately into the creamed butter and sugar, mixing on low to medium speed until fully combined into a smooth batter.
Beat Egg Whites: In a separate large metal mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the 5 large egg whites until stiff peaks form, meaning the peaks hold their shape firmly.
Fold in Egg Whites and Food Coloring: Carefully fold the beaten egg whites into the cake batter to maintain the airiness. Mix in 3-5 drops of sky blue gel food coloring until the color is well blended throughout. Then evenly divide the batter between the three prepared cake pans.
Bake Cakes: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 23 to 26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before removing them.
Level Cakes: Once cooled, place the cakes on a cutting board or cake board. Use a cake slicer to carefully remove the domed tops from each cake layer to create flat layers for stacking.
Prepare Buttercream Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat 3 cups softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add 6 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons vanilla extract, and 5-6 tablespoons heavy whipping cream until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. Add sky blue gel food coloring a few drops at a time, mixing well until you achieve the desired shade of blue.
Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on the cake board, spread an even layer of blue buttercream frosting on top. Repeat with next layers stacking them carefully and frosting between each. Use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the entire cake smoothly.
Prepare Chocolate Ganache and Decorate: In a small saucepan or microwave, heat ½ cup heavy cream until just simmering. Pour over 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips in a bowl and let sit for a couple of minutes, then stir until smooth to make ganache. Drizzle or spread ganache over the top of the frosted cake evenly. Chill the cake briefly to set the ganache before serving.

Notes

Be careful not to overmix the batter once flour is added to avoid a tough cake.
Folding in egg whites preserves volume and creates a lighter texture.
Adjust the food coloring to achieve your desired blue intensity.
Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting for best results.
You can substitute the semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate chips if preferred.
For a dairy-free version, use non-dairy milk and butter substitutes and ensure frosting ingredients are dairy free.