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Black Velvet Cake
5 from 12 votes

Black Velvet Cake

Black Velvet Cake features a rich, deeply colored chocolate batter made with black unsweetened cocoa powder and enhanced with hot black coffee for intensified flavor. This cake yields a moist, tender crumb with a striking black hue. The accompanying cream cheese and butter frosting is richly chocolatey with a smooth, creamy texture, balancing the cake's intensity.

Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Chilling Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 890 kcal
Course: Dessert, Cake
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Cake
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder black
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large egg room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup black coffee hot
Frosting
  • 1 cup butter unsalted, at room temperature
  • 1 cup cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder black
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • ⅔ cup heavy cream room temperature
  • 1⅓ cups dark chocolate chips melted and cooled

Instructions

Cake
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.
  5. Add the hot black coffee to the batter and stir until well combined.
  6. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans and tap the pans gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
  7. Bake the cakes for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Frosting
  1. Beat the cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.
  2. Add in the black cocoa, vanilla extract, salt, and mix on low until fully incorporated.
  3. Gradually add the confectioner's sugar and beat until well combined. Halfway through, add in the heavy cream to make the frosting easier to mix.
  4. Mix in the melted chocolate on low speed, until well incorporated.
Assemble
  1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of frosting on top.
  2. Place the second cake layer on top and spread frosting all over the cake.
  3. Decorate the cake with additional frosting or any desired toppings.
  4. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Use black unsweetened cocoa powder for the unique deep color and flavor; regular cocoa powder will not yield the same black hue.
  • Substitute hot black coffee with boiling water if a coffee flavor is undesired, as coffee mainly enhances chocolate flavor.
  • Adjust frosting consistency by adding heavy cream to thin or powdered sugar to thicken as needed.
  • Store the cake in the refrigerator to keep it moist and fresh.
  • Consider decorating with edible glitter, dark chocolate shavings, or blackberries for an attractive presentation.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 890kcal (45%) Carbohydrates 120g (40%) Protein 10g (20%) Fat 45g (69%) Saturated Fat 25g (125%) Polyunsaturated Fat 7g (41%) Monounsaturated Fat 10g (50%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 108mg (36%) Sodium 410mg (17%) Potassium 500mg (11%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 92g (184%) Vitamin A 1001IU (20%) Vitamin C 0.2mg (0%) Calcium 169mg (17%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 890

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 890kcal 45%
Carbohydrates 120g 40%
Protein 10g 20%
Fat 45g 69%
Saturated Fat 25g 125%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7g 41%
Monounsaturated Fat 10g 50%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 108mg 36%
Sodium 410mg 17%
Potassium 500mg 11%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 92g 184%
Vitamin A 1001IU 20%
Vitamin C 0.2mg 0%
Calcium 169mg 17%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.