Midnight Magic: Irresistible Black Velvet Cake Recipe

Decadent chocolate cakes often fall short, but this black velvet cake recipe delivers pure indulgence with its rich, velvety texture.

Deep cocoa notes mingle with a luxurious dark crumb that promises pure dessert satisfaction.

Bakers seeking a show-stopping treat will adore this elegant chocolate creation.

The recipe combines classic Southern baking techniques with a modern twist that elevates every slice.

Intensely moist and impossibly smooth, each bite reveals layers of deep chocolate flavor.

Dressed up with cream cheese frosting, this cake becomes a centerpiece dessert that turns ordinary moments into memorable celebrations.

Dive into this irresistible black velvet cake and experience chocolate bliss like never before.

Proper Storage for Black Velvet Cake Slices

• Cake Storage Solutions
• Chilled Haven: Store the black velvet cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent drying.
• Room Temperature Tricks: Allow cake slices to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and soften frosting. Keep away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cake layers or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture and taste.
• Moisture Management: Place a slice of bread next to the cake in the container to help retain moisture and prevent the cake from becoming dry during storage.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 4-6 hours

Cook Time: 25-35 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes – 6 hours 35 minutes

Calories: 421 kcal

Servings: 13

Black Velvet Cake Ingredient Breakdown

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for the cake's foundation.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, airy texture.
• Fine Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to the cake's soft texture.
• Canola Oil: Ensures moisture and creates a tender, smooth cake consistency.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a soft, velvety crumb.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide rich structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warm flavor notes.
• Hot Coffee: Intensifies chocolate flavor and creates richer color.

• Black Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep, intense dark color and robust chocolate flavor.
• Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder: Provides smooth, mellow chocolate undertones.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Adds extra chocolate complexity and richness.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates creamy, smooth base for frosting.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Provides luxurious, silky texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavor and adds aromatic sweetness.
• Fine Sea Salt: Balances and elevates overall frosting taste.

Tools That Help You Bake a Rich Black Velvet Cake

• Stand Mixer: Essential for creating smooth, lump-free frosting and mixing cake batter with precision.
• Cake Pans (6-inch): Three pans needed for baking the cake layers evenly.
• Parchment Paper: Critical for lining cake pans and preventing sticking.
• Offset Spatula: Perfect for releasing cake layers from pans and smooth frosting application.
• Whisk: Crucial for mixing ingredients thoroughly and creating smooth batters.
• Food Scale: Helps distribute batter evenly between cake pans for consistent layers.
• Wire Rack: Allows cakes to cool properly without getting soggy.
• Piping Bag (optional): Useful for creating neat frosting layers between cake sections.
• Mixing Bowls: Various sizes needed for preparing different components of the cake.
• Pot: Used for melting butter and creating chocolate mixture for frosting.

Instructions for Making Black Velvet Cake from Scratch

• Chocolate Dream Frosting

Melt butter with salt over medium heat. Whisk in cream and sugar until nearly boiling. Stir chocolate chips until smooth. Blend cocoa powders in mixer, gradually adding hot chocolate mixture. Mix until silky and combine with vanilla. Refrigerate for several hours before using.

• Cake Layer Creation

Warm oven to moderate temperature. Line cake pans with parchment paper. Blend dry ingredients separately from wet ingredients. Combine buttermilk, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Incorporate coffee and black cocoa into batter. Distribute mixture evenly across pans. Bake until toothpick shows minimal moisture. Cool completely on wire rack.

• Cake Assembly

Allow frosting to reach room temperature. Loosen frosting briefly with mixer. Position first cake layer on serving board. Apply frosting between layers. Place final layer upside down for smooth surface. Chill cake to set frosting. Cover entire cake with remaining frosting. Create decorative swirls using spoon’s back. Add personal decorative touches. Slice and serve with excitement.

Flavor Ideas to Elevate Black Velvet Cake

• Frosting Finesse: Whip up the chocolate frosting a day ahead to let flavors deepen and texture set perfectly.
• Cocoa Power: Splurge on high-quality Dutch-processed and black cocoa powders for an intense, rich chocolate experience that elevates the entire cake.
• Coffee Magic: The hot coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor, creating a deeper, more complex taste profile without making the cake taste like coffee.
• Temperature Tricks: Always let ingredients like eggs and buttermilk come to room temperature before mixing to ensure a smoother, more even cake batter that bakes beautifully.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This cake actually tastes better the next day, as the flavors meld and the texture becomes more moist and tender, making it an ideal make-ahead dessert for special occasions.

Ways to Serve Black Velvet Cake at Any Celebration

• Decadent Dessert Companion: Serve this luxurious Black Velvet Cake alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a rich, creamy contrast that elevates the chocolate experience.
• Elegant Coffee Pairing: Match this indulgent cake with a freshly brewed espresso or dark roast coffee, allowing the deep chocolate notes to complement the cake's intense flavor profile.
• Celebration Presentation: Garnish the cake with chocolate shavings, edible gold dust, or fresh berries to transform it into a stunning centerpiece for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries.
• Textural Accent: Sprinkle toasted chopped nuts around the base of the cake or add a light dusting of cocoa powder on top to introduce an extra layer of visual and flavor complexity.

Decadent Black Velvet Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes – 6 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate layers of black velvet cake promise an indulgent dessert experience that delights chocolate enthusiasts. Dark cocoa and buttermilk create a moist, luxurious treat you’ll savor with each elegant bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (473 ml) granulated sugar
• 1¾ cups (219 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
• 1 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• ¾ cup (85 g) black cocoa powder
• ½ cup (120 ml) canola oil
• 2 large eggs
• ⅔ cup + 1 tbsp (126 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ⅔ cup (160 ml) hot coffee (or hot water)
• 1½ tsps fine sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1⅔ cups + ¼ cup (435 ml) heavy whipping cream
• 6 tbsps (85 g) unsalted butter
• ¾ tsp fine sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Frosting Preparation: Melt butter and salt in a pot over medium heat, whisking in heavy cream and sugar until nearly boiling. Incorporate chocolate chips, stirring until completely smooth.
2. Cocoa Integration: Transfer chocolate mixture to a stand mixer bowl, blending Dutch-processed and black cocoa powders thoroughly. Mix in vanilla extract and refrigerate for 4-6 hours to set completely.
3. Cake Batter Setup: Preheat oven to 350°F and line three 6-inch round pans with parchment paper. Whisk dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
4. Wet Ingredient Combination: Blend oil and sugar in a large bowl, introducing buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract to create a smooth liquid base. Gradually incorporate dry ingredients until uniformly mixed.
5. Coffee and Cocoa Infusion: Whisk hot coffee with black cocoa powder until smooth, then fold into cake batter. Distribute evenly among prepared pans using a food scale.
6. Baking Process: Bake cake layers for 25-35 minutes, verifying doneness with a toothpick that should emerge with minimal moist crumbs. Cool completely in pans, then transfer to a wire rack.
7. Cake Assembly: Bring refrigerated frosting to room temperature and mix briefly. Layer frosting between cake layers, positioning the final layer upside down for a level surface.
8. Finishing Touches: Chill the assembled cake to firm the frosting, then coat generously. Create decorative texture using the back of a spoon, making elegant swoops across the surface. Garnish as desired and serve the elegant black velvet cake.

Notes

• Butter Melting Technique: Carefully melt butter and salt over medium heat to create a smooth, even base for the chocolate frosting.
• Chocolate Integration Method: Whisk chocolate chips into hot cream mixture thoroughly, ensuring complete melting for a silky-smooth texture.
• Cake Batter Precision: Use a food scale to distribute batter evenly, guaranteeing consistent cake layers and professional-looking results.
• Cooling and Setting Strategy: Allow cakes to cool completely in pans, then refrigerate frosting for 4-6 hours to achieve optimal texture and spreadability.

• Prep Time: 4-6 hours
• Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 421
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 53 mg