Dreamy Black Velvet Cake Recipe: A Luscious Dessert Delight

Dark chocolate and midnight-inspired black velvet cake brings a dramatic twist to classic dessert traditions.

Cocoa powder and activated charcoal create its signature deep, mysterious color that captivates every baker’s imagination.

Sultry and elegant, this recipe promises a show-stopping centerpiece for special occasions.

Rich black cake layers offer a sophisticated alternative to traditional red velvet versions.

Chocolate lovers will appreciate the intense, deep flavor profile that balances sweetness with complex undertones.

Smooth cream cheese frosting complements the dramatic dark cake, creating a stunning visual and taste experience.

Black Velvet Cake Elegance

• Craft a Stunning Showstopper: This Black Velvet Cake transforms an ordinary dessert into a dramatic, eye-catching centerpiece that will wow guests at any gathering.
• Simplify Complex Baking: With straightforward mixing techniques and basic ingredients, even novice bakers can create a professional-looking cake without stress or complicated steps.
• Customize Your Celebration: Perfect for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or Halloween parties, this unique black cake offers a delightful twist on traditional red velvet recipes.
• Indulge in Rich Flavor Harmony: The combination of cocoa, buttermilk, and cream cheese frosting creates a luxurious taste experience that balances sweetness with deep, complex notes.

Ingredients for Black Velvet Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure and base for the cake's texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cake tenderness.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor and dark color to the cake.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Baking Soda: Assists in creating a soft cake texture.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Buttermilk: Creates a tender crumb and adds subtle tanginess.
• Boiling Water: Helps activate cocoa powder and improves cake texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and soft.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cake's flavor.
• Black Food Coloring: Creates the distinctive black velvet appearance.

• Unsalted Butter, Cream Cheese: Form the creamy base of the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic flavor to the frosting.

• Black and White Sprinkles, Fresh Berries: Enhance the cake's visual appeal and add extra texture.

How to Bake Black Velvet Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans thoroughly to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Ensure all dry ingredients are well combined and free of lumps.

Step 3: Create Wet Ingredient Mixture

• Buttermilk
• Boiling water
• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Black food coloring

Blend these ingredients until they are fully incorporated and create a smooth, dark mixture.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix. The batter should be smooth and consistent in color.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 6: Cool the Cake Layers

Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely before frosting.

Step 7: Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting

• Unsalted butter
• Cream cheese

Mix until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 8: Frost and Decorate

Spread the cream cheese frosting generously between cake layers and over the entire cake. For an extra touch, sprinkle black and white decorative sprinkles or add fresh berries on top.

Pro Tips for Black Velvet Cake

• Maximize Black Color: Use gel-based black food coloring for deeper, more intense black without altering cake texture.
• Prevent Dry Cake: Avoid overmixing batter to maintain moisture; stop stirring once ingredients are just combined.
• Check Cake Doneness: Insert toothpick at an angle near cake's center; clean toothpick indicates perfectly baked cake.
• Smooth Frosting Technique: Chill cream cheese before mixing to create ultra-smooth, lump-free frosting consistency.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow eggs, buttermilk, and butter to reach room temperature for better cake texture and even mixing.

Variations for Black Velvet Cake

• Vegan Black Velvet Cake: Replace eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based milk instead of buttermilk, and swap butter for vegan margarine in the frosting.
• Gluten-Free Black Velvet Cake: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Chocolate Lovers' Black Velvet Cake: Add extra cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips to the batter for an intensified chocolate flavor profile.
• Low-Sugar Black Velvet Cake: Use sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and reduce overall sugar content while maintaining cake's rich texture.

Pairing Suggestions for Black Velvet Cake

• Pair Decadent Dark Chocolate Wine: Select a rich, full-bodied port or cabernet sauvignon that complements the cake's deep black cocoa notes, enhancing the dessert's luxurious flavor profile.
• Elevate with Espresso Companion: Serve a strong, freshly brewed espresso or dark roast coffee alongside the cake, creating a classic flavor harmony that cuts through the creamy frosting and intensifies the chocolate experience.
• Match with Blackberry Liqueur: Pour a smooth blackberry liqueur that echoes the cake's dark color and adds a complementary fruity undertone, providing a sophisticated adult beverage pairing.
• Create Berry Sorbet Contrast: Offer a light, tart blackberry or raspberry sorbet as a palate cleanser, which provides a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, dense cake texture and cream cheese frosting.

Storage Advice for Black Velvet Cake

• Store the frosted Black Velvet Cake in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. The cream cheese frosting requires constant chilling to maintain its texture.
• Wrap the entire unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and serving.
• Cut individual slices, wrap each separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before enjoying.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Black Velvet Cake FAQs

• Why is it called Black Velvet Cake?

The cake gets its unique black color from adding black food coloring to the traditional red velvet cake recipe, creating a dramatic and bold visual appearance.

• Is black food coloring safe to use?

Yes, black food coloring is FDA-approved and completely safe for consumption when used in moderate amounts in baking and cooking.

• Can I substitute black food coloring with another ingredient?

If you can’t find black food coloring, you can use a combination of dark cocoa powder and black gel food coloring to achieve a similar deep black color.

• What makes the texture of this cake different from regular chocolate cake?

Black Velvet Cake has a softer, more velvety texture due to the buttermilk and oil, which create a more tender crumb compared to traditional dense chocolate cakes.

Black Velvet Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 50-55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Rich cocoa and deep crimson hues define this Black Velvet Cake, a luxurious dessert that marries Southern charm with modern elegance. Chocolate lovers will delight in its velvety texture and intense flavor, making it a showstopping centerpiece for special celebrations you won’t soon forget.

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Ingredients

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Cake Dry Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (300 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (100 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) baking soda
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) salt

Liquid and Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) boiling water
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) vanilla extract

Coloring Ingredient:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) black food coloring

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans with grease and flour coating.
2. Create a dry mixture by sifting flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, thoroughly combine buttermilk, boiling water, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and black food coloring until well integrated.
4. Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring until just combined to maintain a smooth, even batter consistency.
5. Distribute batter equally between prepared cake pans, ensuring even layer depth.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350F, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake’s center – it should emerge clean when fully baked.
7. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
8. Prepare cream cheese frosting by beating unsalted butter and cream cheese until achieving a silky, uniform texture.
9. Incrementally add powdered sugar to the butter-cream cheese mixture, whipping until achieving a light, fluffy consistency.
10. Incorporate vanilla extract into the frosting, mixing thoroughly.
11. Once cakes are completely cooled, generously apply cream cheese frosting between layers and across the entire cake surface.
12. Optional: Embellish with black and white sprinkles and fresh berries for decorative presentation.

Notes

• Achieve deep black color by using high-quality black food coloring or activated charcoal powder for a more intense, dramatic look.
• Ensure ingredients are at room temperature to create a smoother, more evenly mixed batter that bakes perfectly.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, keeping the same measurements and mixing technique.
• Control moisture by not overmixing the batter, which can lead to a dense, tough cake texture instead of a light, tender crumb.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 325 kcal
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg