Black Velvet Cake

Black Velvet Cake is the sultry, dramatic cousin of the classic red velvet cake — rich, moist, and deep in chocolate flavor with a striking dark color. It’s made with black cocoa powder, which gives it a bold look and Oreo-like flavor.

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🍰 Black Velvet Cake Recipe

Yields: One 8-inch layer cake (2–3 layers)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour (plus cooling)

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🖤 Ingredients

Dry:

• 1¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour

• ¾ cup (60g) black cocoa powder (like King Arthur or Guittard; Dutch-processed is OK in a pinch)

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

Wet:

• 1½ cups (300g) granulated sugar

• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• ¾ cup (180ml) buttermilk (room temperature)

• ½ cup (120ml) neutral oil (like canola or vegetable)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup (240ml) hot brewed coffee or boiling water (enhances cocoa flavor)

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🧁 For the Frosting (Choose one):

Classic Cream Cheese Frosting (Tart + Rich)

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened

• 3–3½ cups (360–420g) powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

OR

Black Cocoa Buttercream (For full goth glam)

• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened

• ½ cup (40g) black cocoa powder

• 3–4 cups (360–480g) powdered sugar

• 2–4 tbsp milk or cream

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep

   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

   • Grease and line two or three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients

   • In a bowl, whisk together flour, black cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients

   • In a large bowl, beat together sugars, eggs, oil, vanilla, and buttermilk until smooth.

4. Combine

   • Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.

   • Stir in hot coffee or boiling water (batter will be thin – that’s okay!).

5. Bake

   • Divide batter between pans and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

   • Let cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Make Frosting

   • Beat together ingredients for your chosen frosting until fluffy.

7. Assemble

   • Level the cake layers if needed. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides.

8. Decorate (Optional but dramatic)

   • Top with blackberries, edible gold leaf, dark chocolate curls, or black sanding sugar.

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🎨 Tips

• Black cocoa = dark color, mellow flavor. For richer taste, use ½ black cocoa + ½ Dutch cocoa.

• For a jet-black frosting, add a small amount of black gel food coloring.

• Cake tastes better the next day — store covered at room temp or refrigerate.

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Would you like a cupcake version, gluten-free, or vegan adaptation?