Ingredients

Cake:
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tbsp red food coloring
• 1 tsp white distilled vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp (or more) purple food coloring

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

Directions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pans:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
   In a medium bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients:
   In a large bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red and purple food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Combine Ingredients:
   Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until the batter is smooth.
5. Bake:
   Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Prepare Frosting:
   Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add sugar, beating until fluffy.
7. Assemble Cake:
   Frost the cake layers and assemble the cake.