Oh my goodness, St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, and you know what that means – it’s time to get baking! And this year, I’m absolutely *obsessed* with my Green Velvet Cake with Shamrock Sprinkles. It’s the perfect centerpiece for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration, or really, any time you want a fun and festive dessert! Trust me, I’ve been baking for years, and this recipe has quickly become a family favorite. It’s super moist, has the most gorgeous green color, and those shamrock sprinkles just make it extra special. Best of all? It’s surprisingly easy, even if you’re not a baking pro.
Why You’ll Love This Green Velvet Cake with Shamrock Sprinkles
Okay, so let me tell you why *everyone* goes crazy for this cake! First off, it’s a showstopper. That vibrant green color is just so fun! And those shamrock sprinkles? Adorable! It tastes *divine*, thanks to the moist cake and creamy frosting. Plus, this Green Velvet Cake with Shamrock Sprinkles recipe is seriously easy – no complicated techniques here! And, obvi, it’s the perfect dessert to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your besties!
Ingredients for the Perfect Green Velvet Cake
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You’ll need some staples, but don’t worry, nothing too crazy. First up, we’ve got 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour – you know, the regular stuff! Then, a teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to help everything rise and get those flavors going. Next, we’re reaching for 2 cups of granulated sugar and 1 cup of vegetable oil – I like to use canola, but anything neutral works. You’ll need 2 large eggs, a teaspoon of vanilla extract (the good stuff, for sure!), and 1 cup of buttermilk (that tangy flavor is key!). Oh, and the magic? One ounce of green gel food coloring – the gel kind gives you a much better color payoff! A teaspoon of white vinegar, too – it helps the cake stay soft. And finally, for the frosting, you’ll want some butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and a good helping of those shamrock sprinkles, of course!
Equipment Needed for Your Green Velvet Cake with Shamrock Sprinkles
Okay, so before we get started with this gorgeous cake, you’ll need a few things! You’ll need some mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons (standard stuff!), and two 9-inch round cake pans. Don’t forget your trusty oven! And a whisk or electric mixer will make things a whole lot easier for you.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make a Delicious Green Velvet Cake
Okay, now for the fun part: making the cake! Don’t you worry, it’s totally manageable, even if you’re a beginner. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to a stunning Green Velvet Cake in no time! I promise, it’s worth the little bit of effort.
Preparing the Cake Layers
First up, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, grab those two 9-inch round cake pans and grease ’em up real good with some cooking spray, and then, add a dusting of flour to prevent sticking. In a big bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. In another, cream that sugar and oil together until nice and smooth. Add in the eggs one at a time, then that lovely vanilla extract. In a separate little bowl, whisk together your buttermilk, that vibrant green food coloring (watch out, it can stain!), and the vinegar. Slowly add those dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating it with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the dry ingredients. Pour that gorgeous batter evenly into your prepared cake pans, and pop ’em in the oven for about 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean!
Making the Creamy Frosting
While those cake layers are cooling down, let’s get that frosting ready! First things first, make sure your butter is nice and soft. Beat it with your electric mixer (or by hand, if you’re feeling ambitious!) until it’s smooth and creamy. Next, start adding your powdered sugar *gradually*, alternating with the milk. Don’t dump it all in at once, or you’ll have a powdered sugar explosion! Mix it until it’s light and fluffy. A little patience here makes a big difference. Stir in that vanilla extract, and *voilà * – you’ve got the most delicious frosting ever!
Assembling and Decorating Your Green Velvet Cake
Alright, let’s put this beauty together! Once your cake layers have cooled completely (important!), level them if necessary with a serrated knife (it’ll make icing much easier!). Place one layer on your serving plate or cake stand, and spread a generous layer of that dreamy frosting on top. Gently place the second cake layer on top, and frost the entire cake, top and sides. And now for the pièce de résistance: the shamrock sprinkles! Go wild! Sprinkle them all over the top and maybe even down the sides – the more, the merrier for a really festive look. See? Easy peasy, and your Green Velvet Cake is ready to impress!
Tips for Success with Your Green Velvet Cake
Alright, friends, here are my top tips to make your Green Velvet Cake the absolute best it can be! First off, use *gel* food coloring. Liquid food coloring just won’t give you that vibrant green, trust me, I’ve tried! Also, remember to measure your flour correctly – fluff it up in the bag, then spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off. Don’t pack it down! And, of course, make sure your butter is soft *but not melted* for that perfect, fluffy frosting. Keep an eye on the oven, too; every oven is a little different, so start checking for doneness at around 30 minutes! With these little nuggets of wisdom, you’ll be a Green Velvet Cake pro!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Green Velvet Cake
Okay, let’s chat about a few of those key ingredients. First off, the green food coloring! I *always* recommend using gel food coloring. Trust me, it gives you the best, brightest color, and you don’t even need as much. The liquid stuff just doesn’t pack the same punch, and you might get a weird texture. As for butter, always use unsalted butter! This way, you control the salt. And, the quality really does matter; the better the butter, the better your frosting will taste (and trust me, we want *delicious* frosting!).
If you’re having trouble finding buttermilk, you *can* make a quick substitute: just add a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Works like a charm!
And if you don’t have shamrock sprinkles (although why wouldn’t you?), use green sanding sugar, or even just some festive green and white sprinkles. The point is to have fun with it!
Make-Ahead & Storage Instructions for Green Velvet Cake
Listen, sometimes you gotta plan ahead, and good news: this Green Velvet Cake is perfect for that! You can totally bake the cake layers a day or two in advance. Just wrap ’em tightly in plastic wrap and store them at room temperature. The frosting can also be made a day ahead — just pop it in the fridge in an airtight container until you’re ready to frost. Then, before serving, frost the cake and add your shamrock sprinkles. A frosted cake will last a couple of days at room temperature, or up to a week in the fridge — if it lasts that long!
Nutritional Information for Green Velvet Cake with Shamrock Sprinkles (Estimated)
So, I’ve done my best to estimate the nutritional info for this cake, but keep in mind, it *can* vary depending on which brands you use and how heavy-handed you are with sprinkles! This is just a rough guide, okay?
Here’s what you can expect, per slice: (These are estimates)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 50g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Velvet Cake
You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! I get asked these all the time, and I want you to feel totally confident when you’re making this Green Velvet Cake. So, here are some of the most common things people ask me about this delicious treat – hopefully, these help you out!
Can I use a different type of frosting?
Absolutely! I’m a big fan of this classic cream cheese frosting, but if you’re not a fan, try a vanilla buttercream. Or, if you want something different, you could try a chocolate frosting. Whatever you do, make sure it’s thick enough to hold those shamrock sprinkles in place!
How can I make this cake gluten-free?
Want to go gluten-free? Easy peasy! Just swap out the all-purpose flour for a good gluten-free all-purpose baking mix. You might want to add a tablespoon or two of extra liquid, or a bit of xanthan gum to help with the structure. Everything will still work great!
Can I freeze this cake?
Yes, you can! This cake freezes beautifully. Just wrap the unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. To freeze a frosted cake, pop it into the freezer until it’s solid, then wrap well. Thaw it in the fridge overnight. You’re welcome!
Get Baking!
So, what are you waiting for? Grab those ingredients, crank up the oven, and get baking that Green Velvet Cake with Shamrock Sprinkles! Be sure to let me know how it goes!
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Green Velvet Cake with Shamrock Sprinkles
- Total Time: 65 min
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive green velvet cake perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 ounce green gel food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Shamrock sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, cream together sugar and oil. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- In a small bowl, combine buttermilk, food coloring, and vinegar.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
- Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk. Stir in vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Frost the cake and decorate with shamrock sprinkles.
Notes
- For best results, use gel food coloring.
- Make sure your butter is softened but not melted for the frosting.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
