A Decadent and Elegant Dessert
Black Velvet Cake is a rich, dark, and indulgent dessert that offers a striking twist on the classic Red Velvet Cake. With a deep cocoa flavor, tender crumb, and a hint of buttermilk tanginess, this cake is perfect for any special occasion. The dramatic black color is achieved using black cocoa powder, which lends a bittersweet depth similar to Oreo cookies. Paired with a luscious cream cheese frosting or silky ganache, this cake is both visually stunning and irresistibly delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deep, intense chocolate flavor thanks to black cocoa powder.
- Velvety soft texture from the perfect balance of fats and liquids.
- Striking appearance with a bold black hue that stands out on any dessert table.
- Customizable frosting options including cream cheese, chocolate ganache, or even buttercream.
- Perfect for celebrations like birthdays, Halloween, or elegant dinner parties.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup black cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
- ½ cup hot coffee (or hot water)
For the frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Prepare the Oven and Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, black cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Incorporate Dry and Wet Ingredients
Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6. Add Hot Coffee
Slowly pour in the hot coffee, mixing until the batter is smooth. This enhances the chocolate flavor and keeps the cake moist.
7. Bake the Cake
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool the Cakes
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Make the Frosting
Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar gradually, then mix in the vanilla and heavy cream. Beat until fluffy.
10. Assemble the Cake
Spread a layer of frosting over one cake layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the entire cake.
11. Serve and Enjoy
Slice and serve this stunning Black Velvet Cake, savoring the rich chocolate and creamy frosting in every bite.
Variations and Customizations
- Chocolate Ganache Frosting: Replace cream cheese frosting with a glossy chocolate ganache for a more intense chocolate experience.
- Oreo-Inspired Cake: Add crushed Oreo cookies into the batter or frosting for extra texture and flavor.
- Spiced Black Velvet: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne for a warm, spicy twist.
- Mini Cupcakes: Use the batter to make cupcakes, adjusting the baking time to about 18–22 minutes.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 10–12 slices
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Cooling & Frosting Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: About 2 hours
Storage and Reheating
- Room Temperature: Keep covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Let refrigerated cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Frozen slices can be thawed overnight in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Black Velvet Cake different from Red Velvet Cake?
Black Velvet Cake uses black cocoa powder, giving it a darker color and a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor than Red Velvet Cake, which has a milder cocoa taste and relies on red food coloring.
Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of black cocoa powder?
Yes, but the color will be lighter, and the flavor will be different. For the best results, use a blend of Dutch-processed cocoa and black cocoa.
What can I use instead of buttermilk?
You can make a substitute by mixing 1 ¼ cups of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. The texture may vary slightly.
Why add hot coffee to the batter?
Hot coffee enhances the chocolate flavor and helps dissolve the cocoa powder for a smoother batter. If you don’t want to use coffee, hot water works too.
How do I get a smooth, professional-looking frosting?
Chill the cake layers before frosting, use an offset spatula, and smooth the frosting with a bench scraper for a polished look.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the cake layers a day ahead and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Frost the cake before serving.
What frosting pairs best with Black Velvet Cake?
Cream cheese frosting is a classic choice, but chocolate ganache, Swiss meringue buttercream, or even whipped cream work beautifully.
Can I add food coloring to make it even darker?
If you want an ultra-black cake, you can add a small amount of black gel food coloring to enhance the hue.
How do I prevent my cake from drying out?
Make sure not to overbake the cake and store it properly in an airtight container to retain moisture.
Conclusion
Black Velvet Cake is a luxurious and dramatic dessert that delivers both style and substance. With its deep chocolate flavor, soft texture, and creamy frosting, it’s the perfect choice for anyone looking to impress. Whether you serve it for a birthday, a holiday, or just because, this cake is sure to be a showstopper.
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Black Velvet Cake: A Luxurious Twist on a Classic
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 10–12 slices 1x
Description
Black Velvet Cake is a luxurious, deep chocolate dessert made with black cocoa powder for a striking black hue and rich flavor. Paired with cream cheese frosting or ganache, this cake is perfect for celebrations and special occasions.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup black cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
- ½ cup hot coffee (or hot water)
For the frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, black cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Add Hot Coffee: Slowly pour in hot coffee, mixing until batter is smooth.
- Bake the Cake: Divide batter between pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cakes: Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla and heavy cream until fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Spread frosting over one cake layer, place second layer on top, and frost the entire cake.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice and serve this rich Black Velvet Cake.
Notes
- Storage: Keep covered at room temperature for 2 days, refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Customization: Swap frosting for ganache, add crushed Oreos, or incorporate warm spices for a twist.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- cooling time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Black Velvet Cake, black cocoa cake, chocolate velvet cake, elegant chocolate cake, cream cheese frosting cake
