Pink Velvet Swirl Cake
A visually stunning and delicious soft cake with a pastel pink color and luxurious frosting, perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (375g)
- 2.5 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226g)
- 2 cups granulated sugar (400g)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk (240ml)
- Pink gel food coloring
For the Buttercream Frosting
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened (452g)
- 6 cups powdered sugar (720g)
- 3 tbsp heavy cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- White sugar pearls
- Piping bags fitted with star and petal tips
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients with buttermilk until the batter becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add a few drops of pink gel food coloring and gently mix until you reach a soft pastel pink shade.
- Divide the batter evenly between cake pans and bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the cake layers cool completely before frosting.
Making the Frosting and Assembly
- For the buttercream, beat butter until fluffy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt until thick, silky, and bakery-style smooth.
- Divide the frosting and tint part of it pink, leaving the rest white.
- Frost the cake with a smooth base layer, then pipe alternating pink and white swirls, rosettes, and shell borders all around the cake.
- Finish with white sugar pearls placed throughout the swirls for a soft, luxurious look.
- Chill the cake for 15–20 minutes before slicing for the prettiest bakery-style layers.
Notes
To store, keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to three months. Make sure to wrap it well to preserve its flavors and moisture. Tips: Ensure butter is at room temperature for easier mixing, use high-quality gel food coloring for better color, add almond extract for more flavor, and consider drizzling chocolate ganache over the top for an added touch.