Name: Green Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 1½ cups granulated sugar; 1½ cups vegetable oil; 3 large eggs, at room temperature; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 cup buttermilk; 1 Tablespoon green food coloring (about 20 to 30 drops); ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature; 8 ounces (1 package) cream cheese, softened at room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; 4 cups sifted powdered sugar

If you're craving a show-stopping dessert with a pop of color and incredible flavor, you’re going to love this Green Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. It’s moist, vibrant, and perfect for any festive occasion where you want to wow your guests or just treat yourself.

The image shows a two-layer round green cake with creamy white frosting between the layers and all around the outside. The cake has tall white frosting dollops on top, each decorated with small green dots. A slice of the cake is placed in front on a white plate, showing the bright green texture inside and the smooth white frosting layer in the middle. The cake stand holding the whole cake is white and scalloped, and the surface underneath is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Green Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Green Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Green Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to admit, I’m a sucker for any cake that’s as pretty as it is delicious. This green velvet cake feels like a celebration in every bite—it’s rich yet light, with that classic velvet crumb paired beautifully with tangy cream cheese frosting.

Vibrant and Festive: The striking green hue makes it a perfect centerpiece for St. Patrick’s Day, springtime, or holiday gatherings.
Moist and Tender: Thanks to the combination of oil and buttermilk, this cake stays moist for days.
Classic Flavor Combo: The cream cheese frosting balances sweetness with a lovely tang, enhancing every bite.
User-Friendly Instructions: Even if you’re new to baking, this recipe walks you through every step for a foolproof result.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start baking, let’s talk ingredients. I recommend picking fresh, high-quality staples since this cake’s texture and flavor rely on simple but important elements. Here are the key players you’ll need and a bit about why they’re essential.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, a small white bowl holding vegetable oil, three whole large brown eggs with clean shells arranged neatly, a small white bowl containing buttermilk, a small white bowl with vivid green liquid food coloring, a stick of unsalted butter resting directly on the white surface, a block of cream cheese sitting on a simple white ceramic dish, and two small white bowls—one with vanilla extract and another with kosher salt—placed symmetrically, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: The base for a tender crumb and structure in the cake.
Baking soda and baking powder: These leavening agents ensure your cake rises perfectly with a light texture.
Salt: Essential for balancing sweetness and enhancing flavor.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps keep the cake moist.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake tender and moist without weighing it down.
Eggs (room temperature): Provide structure and richness; room temperature helps with better mixing.
Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, comforting flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Buttermilk: Adds tang and tenderizes the crumb; helps activate the baking soda.
Green food coloring: Gives the cake its crave-worthy emerald look—use gel or liquid for vibrant color.
Unsalted butter (softened): Key for a smooth, creamy frosting consistency.
Cream cheese (softened): The star of the frosting, providing tangy richness.
Kosher salt: Small pinch amps up the frosting’s flavor without overpowering it.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to perfect spreadable softness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Green Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is wonderfully versatile, inviting you to make it truly your own. Whether you want to experiment with flavors or adapt it for dietary needs, there’s plenty of room to customize without losing the magic of the moist, vibrant cake and luscious frosting.

Variation: Matcha Magic – For a natural twist, I’ve swapped the green food coloring with 2 tablespoons of matcha powder. The cake gains a subtle earthiness that pairs beautifully with the cream cheese frosting.
Flavor Boost: Citrus Zest – Adding 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon or orange zest to the batter adds a bright, zesty lift that complements the tangy frosting really well.
Diet-Friendly Option – To make this cake a little lighter, try using half the oil and substituting the other half with unsweetened applesauce. The crumb stays tender but with less fat.
Seasonal Twist: Peppermint – Stir ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract into the frosting during step 7 for a festive hint of coolness, perfect around the holidays.
Decoration Fun – Top with fresh berries, chopped pistachios, or edible flowers to match your celebration theme and add a pretty finishing touch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Green Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

A white round baking pan lined with parchment paper is shown with a thick, smooth, light green batter being poured into it from a glass bowl above. The batter has a creamy texture with small air bubbles visible. The white marbled surface is partially visible around the pan. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pans

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s fully hot and ready when your batter is mixed. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. This simple step guarantees the cakes will release cleanly and come out perfectly shaped every time.

Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients Together

In a large bowl, whisk together the 2½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Whisking breaks up any clumps and ensures your leavening agents are evenly distributed for a tender crumb.

Step 3: Blend Sugar, Oil, and Eggs

In a separate large bowl, beat 1½ cups granulated sugar with 1½ cups vegetable oil until they’re thoroughly blended into a smooth mixture. Add 3 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each to fully incorporate and build structure. Finish this step by stirring in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract for warmth and depth of flavor.

Step 4: Alternate Mixing Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk

Begin adding the dry ingredients and the 1 cup of buttermilk alternately to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mixing just until combined is the key here—over-mixing can make the cake tough. Stir in 1 tablespoon of green food coloring (about 20 to 30 drops) until the batter is an even, inviting shade of green.

Step 5: Bake Your Cake to Perfection

Divide the batter evenly between your two prepared pans and smooth the tops. Slide them into the oven and bake for 35 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The smells at this point will make your kitchen feel like a cozy green celebration!

Step 6: Cool Before Turning Out

Let your cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes after baking—this brief cooldown helps them set and prevents any breakage. Then carefully turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely, about 20 minutes more. Patience here means easier frosting and a flawless finish.

Step 7: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a medium bowl, beat together ½ cup softened unsalted butter and 8 ounces softened cream cheese until silky smooth. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt for balance. Gradually mix in 4 cups sifted powdered sugar, beating until your frosting is fluffy and spreadable, perfect for layering and decorating.

Step 8: Assemble and Frost Your Cake

Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over the top. Gently add the second layer and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting, smoothing it out for a gorgeous finish. If the frosting feels too soft, chilling the cake for 30 minutes helps it set up nicely.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy!

Your vibrant Green Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is ready to slice and share! For best results, allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving—this gives the moist crumb and rich frosting the chance to shine. Whether it’s a festive occasion or just a treat-yourself day, each bite is a little celebration of flavor.

Top Tip

These tips will help you nail your Green Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe every time, making your baking experience smoother and your cake even more delicious!

Room Temperature Eggs: Using eggs at room temperature really helps the batter emulsify better, resulting in a super tender crumb.
Food Coloring Balance: I found that adding the green food coloring gradually and mixing thoroughly avoids any uneven streaks and achieves a beautiful, vibrant hue.
Chilling the Cake Layers: Chilling your cake layers for a bit before frosting makes spreading the cream cheese frosting much easier and keeps the layers from tearing.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can lead to a dense cake—mix just until the ingredients come together for the best texture.

How to Serve Green Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

A round cake with two layers covered in smooth white frosting sits on a white marbled surface. The top of the cake has white frosting swirls along the edge and one larger swirl in the middle, each swirl decorated with small green round sprinkles. The texture of the frosting is creamy and soft. A white lace cloth and a white serving spatula with a silver handle are placed behind the cake, adding a delicate touch to the simple but elegant presentation. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Consider topping your Green Velvet Cake with some festive garnishes such as fresh mint leaves, white chocolate shavings, or a sprinkle of toasted pistachios. For an extra touch of charm, a few edible flowers or a light dusting of powdered sugar can make the presentation truly special.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with light, refreshing sides like fresh fruit salad—think citrus segments or berries—to balance the richness. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream also complements the tangy cream cheese frosting beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Green Velvet Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and moist for up to 3 days. Before serving, let it come to room temperature to bring out the best flavor and texture.

Freezing

You can freeze the cake layers before frosting by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before applying cream cheese frosting and assembling.

Reheating

Since this is a frosted cake, reheating isn’t typically necessary. If you prefer, serve slices at room temperature or chilled. However, if you want to warm a slice, let it sit out for 30 minutes to lose chill without melting the frosting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes! If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, simply mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using as a substitute.

How much green food coloring should I add?

For a vibrant green color, use about 20 to 30 drops or 1 tablespoon of gel or liquid green food coloring. Adjust the amount based on how intense you want the color.

Why is it important to use room temperature eggs?

Room temperature eggs blend better into the batter, helping to create a smoother texture and more even rise in your cake.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake the layers a day ahead, store them wrapped tightly in the fridge, and frost just before serving. The assembled cake tastes even better after resting a bit!

Final Thoughts

Baking this Green Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is always a joyful experience — from mixing that gorgeous green batter to savoring each moist, tangy bite. It’s a showstopper perfect for any celebration or when you simply want to brighten your day. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this delightful cake as much as I do. Happy baking and even happier eating!