Black Velvet Cake Recipe Sinfully Divine Treat
A slice of decadent black velvet cake brings midnight elegance to your dessert table.
Rich cocoa and deep midnight hues create a stunning visual masterpiece on any plate.
Dark chocolate lovers will instantly fall in love with this sophisticated treat.
Layers of intense chocolate provide a luxurious experience that feels simultaneously classic and modern.
Each delicate crumb promises an indulgent journey through smooth, velvety textures.
Chocolate enthusiasts appreciate how this recipe balances complex flavors with dramatic presentation.
Prepare to impress everyone with a dessert that looks as incredible as it tastes.
What You’ll Need for a Rich Black Velvet Cake
Cake Dry Ingredients:Wet Ingredients:Moisture and Color Ingredients:How to Bake This Stunning Cake Like a Pro
Step 1: Prepare Oven and Pans
Warm up the oven to 350F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and line with parchment paper. This ensures your cake won’t stick and comes out perfectly.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and sift together:Set the mixture aside for later magic.
Step 3: Create Creamy Base
In a large mixing bowl, whip butter and sugar until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud. Add eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each. Splash in vanilla extract for extra flavor.
Step 4: Blend Ingredients
Lower mixer speed and gently incorporate dry ingredients and buttermilk in three alternating batches. Start and end with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Pour in hot coffee and black food gel, stirring until batter becomes silky smooth. Don’t worry about the thin consistency- it’s totally normal.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Evenly distribute batter between prepared pans. Slide into preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out clean. Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
Tips for Even Layers and Deep Flavor
How to Store Black Velvet Cake Without Drying It
Toppings and Drinks That Go with Black Velvet Cake
Black Velvet Cake Style Variations You’ll Want to Try
Gluten-Free Black Velvet Cake: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring the same rich texture and deep black color. Use xanthan gum for added binding and structure.
Dairy-Free Black Velvet Cake: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Replace buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar to maintain moisture and tanginess. Use dairy-free cream cheese alternative for frosting.
Reduced Sugar Black Velvet Cake: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of traditional sugar. Add unsweetened applesauce to maintain cake’s moisture while cutting down on refined sugars. Select a low-sugar cream cheese for frosting to keep overall sweetness balanced.
Keto-Friendly Black Velvet Cake: Utilize almond flour and coconut flour as base. Replace sugar with erythritol or stevia. Incorporate unsweetened cocoa powder and use heavy cream instead of buttermilk. Add extra eggs for structure and richness.
Black Velvet Cake That Stands Out at First Bite
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Luxurious Black Velvet Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Silky black velvet cake brings midnight elegance to classic dessert traditions. Rich chocolate layers promise indulgent flavor combinations with smooth cream cheese frosting that will make dessert lovers swoon.
Ingredients
Cake Dry Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup (30 g) unsweetened black cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Cake Wet Ingredients and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1.75 cups (350 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) hot coffee
- 1 tablespoon black food gel
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 16 ounces (450 g) cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare baking workspace by positioning oven rack in center and heating to 350F. Coat two round cake pans with butter and line with parchment paper for seamless cake release.
- Sift together all dry ingredients in a medium bowl, ensuring no lumps remain. This process creates a uniform texture for the cake’s foundation.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency. Incorporate eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth emulsion.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk. This technique prevents overmixing and maintains the cake’s delicate structure. Gently stir in hot coffee and black food coloring until batter achieves a silky, uniform appearance.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pans, using a spatula to distribute smoothly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a consistent golden surface and checking doneness with a toothpick test.
- Remove cakes from oven and allow to rest in pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to wire cooling rack, permitting layers to reach room temperature before frosting or assembling.
Notes
- Achieve deep black color by using high-quality black food gel or activated charcoal powder sparingly to prevent bitter taste.
- Ensure buttermilk is at room temperature for smoother batter integration and more even cake texture.
- Avoid overmixing batter to prevent tough cake – stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined for tender crumb.
- Substitute dairy ingredients for vegan version by using plant-based butter, non-dairy milk, and egg replacer for inclusive dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 515
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Daves Miller
Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky
White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire
Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals.
He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.