St Patrick’s Day Green Velvet Cake is a festive twist on the classic red velvet dessert, featuring a soft, moist crumb flavored with cocoa and buttermilk and colored a vibrant green for celebration. Finished with rich cream cheese frosting, this cake is perfect for holiday gatherings, parties, or themed desserts. With its tender texture and balanced sweetness, this beginner-friendly recipe delivers bakery-quality results with a fun seasonal touch.
Key Takeaways
• Festive St Patrick’s Day dessert
• Soft and moist velvet-style cake
• Classic cream cheese frosting
• Beginner-friendly baking recipe
• Perfect for parties and celebrations
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cake keeps everything people love about red velvet — light cocoa flavor, tender crumb, and tangy frosting — while adding a playful green color perfect for the holiday. The combination of buttermilk and oil keeps the cake incredibly moist, and the cream cheese frosting adds a smooth, slightly tangy finish that balances sweetness beautifully.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Green food coloring (gel preferred)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Equipment
Two 9-inch round cake pans
Mixing bowls
Electric mixer or hand mixer
Spatula
Cooling rack
Offset spatula or knife for frosting
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two cake pans with parchment paper. - Mix dry ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. - Combine wet ingredients
In another bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, vinegar, and green food coloring until evenly combined. - Make the batter
Gradually add dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing until smooth and lump-free. Do not overmix. - Bake the cakes
Divide batter evenly between pans and bake for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. - Cool completely
Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool fully before frosting. - Make the frosting
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in vanilla and salt until fluffy. - Assemble the cake
Spread frosting between cake layers, then frost the top and sides evenly. - Decorate and serve
Smooth frosting or add festive decorations as desired. Chill briefly before slicing for clean cuts.
Tips & Variations
Use gel food coloring for a vibrant green color without thinning batter.
Chill cake layers before frosting for easier assembly.
Add green sprinkles for extra festive flair.
Bake as cupcakes for party-friendly portions.
Serving Suggestions
Serve chilled or at room temperature with coffee, tea, or milk. Perfect centerpiece dessert for St Patrick’s Day celebrations and spring gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Bring slices to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Cake layers can be frozen (unfrosted) for up to 2 months.
Nutrition (Approx.)
Calories: 420 per slice
Protein: 5g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fat: 22g
Sugar: 38g
FAQs
Is green velvet different from red velvet?
The flavor is the same; only the color changes for festive presentation.
Can I use natural coloring?
Yes, spinach powder or matcha can add color, though flavor may slightly change.
Why add vinegar to velvet cake?
It reacts with baking soda to create a softer, tender crumb.
Can I make this as cupcakes?
Yes, bake at 350°F for about 18–22 minutes.
Do I need to refrigerate cream cheese frosting?
Yes, store the cake refrigerated due to the frosting.
Conclusion
St Patrick’s Day Green Velvet Cake is a festive, crowd-pleasing dessert that combines classic velvet cake texture with playful holiday charm. Moist, creamy, and beautifully vibrant, this easy recipe is perfect for celebrating with family and friends while delivering bakery-style flavor at home.