Dreamy Dark Elegance: Black Velvet Cake Recipe For Dessert Lovers

Decadent chocolate lovers unite over this irresistible black velvet cake that turns ordinary dessert moments into extraordinary experiences.

Dark and luxurious, this black velvet cake recipe promises a rich, velvety slice of pure indulgence.

Deep cocoa notes mingle with a tender crumb that melts softly on your tongue.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike adore the dramatic dark color that makes this cake a showstopper at any gathering.

The subtle hint of buttermilk adds a delightful tang that balances the intense chocolate profile.

Smooth cream cheese frosting crowns each slice with a luscious finish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Bake this stunning dessert and watch as it becomes the centerpiece of your next celebration.

Serving Black Velvet Cake with Style

• Dramatic Dessert Display: Slice the black velvet cake on a stunning black marble serving platter to create an elegant, high-contrast presentation that highlights the cake's deep, rich color.
• Party Perfect Pairing: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or white chocolate mousse to create a delightful color contrast and complement the cake's intense chocolate flavor.
• Sophisticated Garnish Glory: Dust the cake edges with edible silver or gold shimmer dust, or top with fresh raspberries and mint leaves to add a touch of sophistication and burst of color against the dark cake surface.
• Coffee Companion Delight: Pair each slice with a rich espresso or creamy cappuccino to enhance the cake's deep chocolate notes and provide a luxurious dessert experience that tantalizes the taste buds.

Storing Black Velvet Cake to Keep It Moist

• Cake Freshness Guardian: Store your black velvet cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping its soft texture and rich flavor intact.
• Refrigeration Strategy: When topped with cream cheese frosting, cover the cake loosely and refrigerate for 4-5 days, ensuring maximum moisture retention and flavor preservation.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual cake layers or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month, allowing a delightful dessert to be ready anytime you crave a slice.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers a day before serving, letting them cool completely and storing them wrapped at room temperature. This method enhances flavor development and makes assembly easier when you're ready to enjoy your decadent creation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 11

Black Velvet Cake Ingredient Rundown

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structural foundation for cake, choose unbleached flour for better texture and flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender crumb, opt for fine-grain sugar for smooth mixing.
• Black Cocoa Powder, Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich dark chocolate flavor and intense color, use high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa for deeper taste.
• Baking Powder: Generates light, airy texture by creating air bubbles during baking.
• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and neutralizes acidic ingredients, ensures even browning.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity and balances sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create tender crumb, ensure room temperature for smooth blending.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps cake moist and soft, provides tender texture.
• Large Eggs: Bind ingredients, add structure and moisture, use fresh eggs at room temperature.
• White Vinegar: Activates baking soda, creates tender crumb and light texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Boosts overall flavor profile, use pure vanilla for best taste.

• Black Food Coloring: Creates dramatic dark appearance, use gel-based color for vibrant result without altering cake texture.

Baking Tools for Black Velvet Cake

• Electric mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to a light, fluffy consistency.
• Large mixing bowls: Two needed for separating dry and wet ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure perfect cake texture.
• 9-inch round cake pans: Specific size for creating even cake layers.
• Parchment paper or cooking spray: Prevents cake from sticking to pans.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly and quickly.
• Sifter: Helps combine dry ingredients smoothly and eliminate lumps.
• Spatula: Helps spread batter evenly and smooth cake tops.
• Toothpicks: Checks cake doneness by testing center for clean insertion.

How to Bake a Rich Black Velvet Cake

• Oven Preparation Temperature setting for the perfect cake environment creates the foundation for baking success.
• Cake Pan Setup Greasing and preparing the round baking vessels ensures smooth cake release and beautiful presentation.
• Butter and Sugar Fusion Creaming these ingredients transforms them into a light, airy base that promises incredible texture and richness.
• Moisture Enhancement Adding liquid elements brings softness and depth to the cake's character.
• Egg and Flavor Incorporation Gentle blending of eggs and aromatic extracts builds complex flavor profiles.
• Dry Ingredient Symphony Carefully sifting powdery components creates a smooth, lump-free mixture that guarantees cake perfection.
• Liquid and Powder Dance Alternating buttermilk and dry ingredients ensures a silky, well-integrated batter without overmixing.
• Color Magic Introducing deep black pigmentation transforms the cake into a dramatic culinary masterpiece.
• Baking Transformation Carefully distributing batter and smoothing surfaces prepares the cake for its magical oven journey.
• Cooling Ritual Allowing the cake to rest and cool completely develops its final texture and makes frosting a breeze.

Tips for Perfect Black Velvet Cake Texture

• Insider tips to elevate your Black Velvet Cake game and create a showstopping dessert.
• Adjust black food coloring intensity carefully – add drops gradually to achieve deep, rich midnight hue without overwhelming the cake's natural flavor profile.
• Buttermilk and vegetable oil are secret weapons for creating an incredibly tender, soft cake texture that melts perfectly in your mouth with each delightful bite.
• Always ensure ingredients like eggs and butter are at room temperature before mixing to guarantee smoother batter and more even cake texture during baking.
• While traditional cream cheese frosting works beautifully, experiment with white chocolate ganache or dark chocolate buttercream for unexpected flavor twists that complement the cake's deep color and rich taste.

Decadent Black Velvet Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate layers of black velvet cake create a luxurious dessert inspired by classic red velvet traditions. Dark cocoa and buttermilk combine for an indulgent Southern-style treat you’ll adore serving at special celebrations.

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Ingredients

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• 2 (large) eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tbsps black cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Black food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F (175°C), positioning the rack centrally. Meticulously coat two 9-inch round cake pans with grease and flour, ensuring seamless cake extraction.
2. Creaming: In a capacious mixing vessel, whip softened butter and sugar until achieving a cloud-like, ethereal consistency. Integrate vegetable oil for enhanced moisture and silken texture.
3. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Incorporate eggs individually, blending thoroughly after each addition. Introduce vanilla extract and white vinegar, ensuring complete integration.
4. Dry Ingredient Refinement: Sift flour, black cocoa, unsweetened cocoa, leavening agents, and salt in a separate bowl, eliminating potential clumping and ensuring uniform distribution.
5. Batter Assembly: Alternately fold dry ingredients and buttermilk into the wet mixture, initiating and concluding with dry components. Gently introduce black food coloring, creating a profound, obsidian hue.
6. Pan Distribution: Evenly distribute batter between prepared pans, smoothing surfaces with a rubber spatula to guarantee uniform baking.
7. Baking Process: Place in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, rotating midway to ensure consistent heat exposure. Validate doneness by inserting a toothpick—it should emerge pristine.
8. Cooling Protocol: Allow cakes to stabilize in pans for 10 minutes, then delicately transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling before frosting.

Notes

• Precise Color Control: Add black food coloring gradually and mix thoroughly to achieve a consistent, deep black shade without color streaks.
• Prevent Cake Sticking: Thoroughly grease and flour pans or use parchment paper to guarantee smooth cake removal without breaking.
• Mixing Technique Matters: Avoid overmixing batter to maintain a tender, light cake texture; stir gently when combining wet and dry ingredients.
• Temperature and Timing: Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure stable, clean frosting application.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg