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Perfect Purple Green Gold Layer Cake Recipe with Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

purple green gold layer cake - featured image
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A vibrant and moist three-layer cake with purple, green, and gold colors, paired with a smooth and creamy vanilla buttercream frosting. Perfect for celebrations and easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (320 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Purple gel food coloring (e.g., AmeriColor Violet)
  • Green gel food coloring (e.g., Wilton Leaf Green)
  • Gold/yellow gel food coloring (e.g., Chefmaster Gold)
  • For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
  • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2–4 tbsp (30–60 ml) milk or heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  5. Stir in vanilla extract.
  6. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix on low speed just until combined each time.
  7. Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Add purple gel coloring to one, green to another, and gold to the last. Stir gently to combine.
  8. Pour each colored batter into prepared pans, filling about 2/3 full. Smooth tops.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, testing doneness with a toothpick. Rotate pans halfway if needed.
  10. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.
  11. For the buttercream, beat softened butter on medium speed until creamy (about 2 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar alternating with milk or cream, beating well after each addition.
  12. Add vanilla extract and salt. Beat on high for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency as needed.
  13. Assemble cake by placing gold layer on cake board or plate. Spread buttercream on top. Repeat with green and purple layers.
  14. Frost sides and top with remaining buttercream, smoothing with offset spatula or bench scraper.
  15. Decorate as desired. Chill cake for 30 minutes before slicing to set frosting.

Notes

Do not rush the creaming step to trap air for a light texture. Use gel food coloring for best results and start with small amounts. Chill layers if crumbly before frosting. Buttercream can be refrigerated and re-whipped if too soft. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend and check baking powder. For dairy-free, use plant-based butter and milk substitutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: layer cake, vanilla buttercream, colorful cake, celebration cake, easy cake recipe, party cake, homemade cake

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