Black Velvet Cake: The Dark Chocolate Dessert That’s Stealing the Spotlight

Black velvet cake first caught my eye on a gloomy October afternoon. I was scrolling through dessert ideas for a Halloween party—something dramatic but not gimmicky. Enter black velvet: a rich, dark twist on the classic red velvet, made with luxurious black cocoa and a luscious dark buttercream. I baked it once and never looked back. Now, it’s the cake I pull out for birthdays, date nights, and yes—even Sunday afternoons when I just need something indulgent.

And unlike what you might find on Pinterest, this cake delivers real flavor, not just looks. Let’s walk through how to make your own version that turns heads and satisfies every chocolate craving.

Why You’ll Love This Black Velvet Cake

Black velvet cake stands out for more than just its deep, jet-black appearance. The black cocoa powder gives it a smooth, almost Oreo-like flavor that’s rich without being overly sweet. Combined with buttermilk and a hint of vinegar, the texture is unbelievably moist and tender. Whether you’re baking for Halloween, a romantic dinner, or just a weeknight treat, this cake feels like a luxury without the fuss.

Try serving it with Chocolate Guinness Cake with Baileys Buttercream Frosting for a chocolate-lover’s dream table, or pair it with Strawberry Blondies for contrast.

Ingredients and Quantities for Black Velvet Cake

To make a black velvet cake that stuns, you’ll need:

For the Cake:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup black cocoa powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup buttermilk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water (or coffee for richness)

For the Black Cocoa Buttercream:

• 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, room temp
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup black cocoa powder
• 2–3 tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Pinch of salt

These quantities yield a three-layer 6-inch cake or a standard 9-inch double layer.

Black Velvet Cake: The Dark Chocolate Dessert That’s Stealing the Spotlight

• Author: Julie
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 1 three-layer 6-inch or two-layer 9-inch cake 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

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Description

Black velvet cake is a dramatic, decadent dessert made with black cocoa and a rich, dark buttercream. Perfect for Halloween or any time you want to impress with flavor and style.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• For the Cake:
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup black cocoa powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup buttermilk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water (or coffee)
• For the Black Cocoa Buttercream:
• 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, room temp
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup black cocoa powder
• 2–3 tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease cake pans. Line with parchment paper.
2. Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and vinegar.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
5. Pour in hot water or coffee and mix until smooth. Batter will be thin.
6. Divide batter into pans and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool cakes completely before frosting.
8. For buttercream: beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa.
9. Add cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth.
10. Frost cooled cakes and decorate as desired.

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Notes

Add espresso powder for depth, or raspberry jam between layers for contrast. Edible gold or Halloween décor takes it to the next level.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 510
• Sugar: 40g
• Sodium: 220mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 58g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 80mg

Essential Tools for Baking a Black Velvet Cake

Making the perfect black velvet cake doesn’t require fancy equipment:

• Three 6-inch or two 9-inch round cake pans
• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Hand or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Fine mesh sieve (for sifting cocoa)
• Offset spatula and cake scraper
• Parchment paper and cooking spray
• Cooling racks

For décor, consider edible gold flakes, mini bats, or Earl Grey Sugar Cookies on the side.

How to Make Black Velvet Cake

Here’s how to create your showstopper:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease your pans. Line bottoms with parchment.
2. In one bowl, sift together flour, sugar, black cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another, whisk eggs, oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and vinegar.
4. Add wet to dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Pour in hot water (or coffee) and mix again until smooth. Batter will be thin.
6. Divide between pans and bake 30–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cool completely before frosting.

For the buttercream, beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and cocoa gradually. Finish with cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Frost cooled cakes and decorate with edible sparkle or paint for Halloween.

Substitutions and Add-Ins

Black velvet cake is flexible—here’s how to make it your own:

• Replace buttermilk with ½ cup milk + ½ tbsp lemon juice (rest for 5 min)
• Use gluten-free 1:1 flour for a GF version
• Add 1 tsp espresso powder to intensify flavor
• Swirl in raspberry jam between layers
• Sprinkle crushed Ooey-Gooey Date Caramel Cinnamon Roll bits on top for caramel contrast

What to Serve with Black Velvet Cake

Pair this indulgent cake with:

• Fresh berries or berry coulis
• Whipped cream or ice cream
• Coffee, red wine, or a rich tea
• Lemon Meringue Cookies for citrus contrast
• Baked Apple Fritters for a cozy fall spread

This cake shines on any dessert table and pairs well with both fresh and rich elements.

The Cake That’s All Treat, No Trick

Black velvet cake isn’t just for Halloween. Its rich flavor, ultra-moist crumb, and eye-catching look make it a favorite for any occasion. It’s elegant, bold, and surprisingly easy to bake. Whether you keep it classic or dress it up with bats and glitter, it’s always unforgettable.

And if you’re new to baking with black cocoa? This is the best place to start.

Explore more crowd-pleasers like Coconut Cake with Coconut Frosting or Earl Grey Sugar Cookies and keep your dessert game strong.

FAQ on Black Velvet Cake