Indulge in a Royal Black Velvet Cake Recipe Fit for Kings

Decadent chocolate layers melt into a luscious black velvet cake that captivates dessert enthusiasts with its deep, rich charm.

Dark cocoa infuses every crumb with intense flavor and velvety texture.

The striking midnight-dark appearance sets this cake apart from traditional red velvet varieties.

Silky smooth cream cheese frosting complements the deep chocolate notes beautifully.

Each slice promises a luxurious experience that tantalizes taste buds and impresses even the most discerning guests.

Elegant yet approachable, this cake transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary celebrations.

Dive into this irresistible dessert that will become your new favorite showstopper.

Serving Up Luxurious Black Velvet Cake

• Midnight Glamour Serving Suggestions
• Elegant Cocktail Pairing: Serve slices alongside a sophisticated black cocktail like an activated charcoal martini or blackberry bourbon to complement the cake's rich dark color and luxurious texture.
• Romantic Date Night Presentation: Create an intimate dessert experience by plating individual slices with a dusting of edible silver shimmer, accompanied by a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and fresh raspberries for color contrast.
• Decadent Dessert Bar Style: Arrange cake slices on a sleek black marble serving platter with metallic gold accents, featuring small decorative garnishes like dark chocolate shavings, fresh blackberries, and elegant gold-dusted chocolate truffles for a glamorous dessert display.
• Afternoon Tea Sophistication: Serve thin cake slices on vintage black and white china with delicate gold rimming, paired with earl grey tea or champagne to elevate the overall elegant dining experience.

Save Leftover Luxurious Black Velvet Cake

• Cool Storage Strategy: Refrigerate the black velvet cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or place it in a cake carrier to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Freezing Fresh Delight: Wrap individual cake slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Store frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to retain the cake's delicate texture and rich flavor.
• Room Temperature Tip: Keep frosted cake at cool room temperature for 23 hours if serving the same day. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before enjoying to allow cream cheese frosting to soften and flavors to bloom.
• Smart Portioning Hack: Cut the cake into slices before storing. Place wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. This makes grabbing a quick slice easier and helps maintain the cake's presentation when entertaining guests.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 11

Things You Need For Luxurious Black Velvet Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and soft texture for the cake's delicate crumb.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep, rich chocolate flavor and contributes to the luxurious black color.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and create a light, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall sweetness of the cake.

• Butter: Creates a rich, creamy base that adds moisture and luxurious mouthfeel.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, complex flavor notes that complement the chocolate.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a soft, tender crumb.
• Hot Coffee: Intensifies chocolate flavor and creates a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Black Food Gel: Achieves the dramatic, intense black color characteristic of black velvet cake.

• Cream Cheese: Provides tangy, rich base for the frosting with smooth, creamy texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting, creating perfect spreading consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle depth and aromatic sweetness to the cream cheese frosting.

What To Use For Luxurious Black Velvet Cake

• Stand Mixer or Electric Mixer: Essential for beating butter, creaming ingredients, and whipping frosting to smooth perfection.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for combining dry ingredients, mixing cake batter, and preparing frosting.
• 9-inch Round Cake Pans: Two pans are crucial for creating even cake layers.
• Parchment Paper: Helps prevent cake from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Whisk or Sifter: Perfect for blending dry ingredients and removing any lumps.
• Spatula: Great for spreading frosting and scraping bowls clean.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Toothpicks: Helps check cake doneness by testing for clean insertion.
• Offset Spatula: Ideal for smoothing frosting and creating clean cake edges.

Baking Instructions For Luxurious Black Velvet Cake

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the oven to a toasty temperature. Softly grease two round cake pans, creating a smooth surface for your batter to rest.

• Ingredient Symphony

Gently combine flour, cocoa, and delicate powders in a mixing bowl. Each ingredient whispers its contribution to the cake’s rich personality.

• Butter and Sugar Dance

Whip butter and sugar into a cloud-like mixture. Add eggs one by one, allowing each to blend seamlessly into the creamy base.

• Liquid Magic

Slowly introduce buttermilk and coffee to the batter. Stir with gentle movements, watching the mixture transform into a silky, dark canvas.

• Baking Transformation

Pour the liquid silk into prepared pans. Let the oven work its magic, turning the batter into a deep, luxurious cake. Watch for the perfect moment when a toothpick emerges clean.

• Frosting Clouds

Blend cream cheese and butter into a dreamy, smooth landscape. Fold in powdered sugar until the frosting becomes light and pillowy.

• Cake Couture

Carefully stack cake layers, painting each with generous frosting. Smooth the exterior like a velvet canvas, creating a stunning midnight masterpiece.

Helpful Hints For Luxurious Black Velvet Cake

• Perfect Crumb Technique: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth, even cake batter that blends perfectly and prevents lumpy textures. Cold ingredients can cause uneven mixing and potential cake density issues.
• Coffee Flavor Boost: The hot coffee intensifies the chocolate's depth, creating a rich, more complex flavor profile. For non-coffee drinkers, replace with hot water or dark hot chocolate for similar moisture and richness.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar, and use vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives. This modification allows lactose-intolerant and vegan bakers to enjoy the luxurious black velvet cake experience.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Bake cake layers up to two days in advance and store wrapped tightly in plastic film at room temperature. Frosting can be prepared three days ahead and refrigerated, making party preparation stress-free and convenient.
• Storage and Serving Secrets: Store the finished cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Always let the cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore its soft, tender texture and enhance flavor complexity.

Silky Black Velvet Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Black velvet cake delivers a symphony of rich chocolate and subtle tanginess from cream cheese frosting. Chocolate lovers will savor each velvety slice with pure culinary delight.

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Ingredients

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• 1 tbsps black food gel (optional)
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) hot coffee
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) buttermilk, room temperature
• 1 cup (227 g/8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups (350 g/12.3 oz) granulated sugar
• 2 ½ cups (310 g/10.9 oz) all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup (30 g/1 oz) unsweetened black cocoa powder
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (113 g/4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (480 g/16.9 oz) powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C). Line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl, creating a uniform powder blend that eliminates potential clumping.
3. Butter Transformation: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes ethereally light and voluminous, developing a pale, cloud-like texture.
4. Liquid Integration: Whisk eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, ensuring complete incorporation. Gently fold in vanilla extract, maintaining the mixture’s delicate structure.
5. Batter Composition: Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the mixture, mixing on low speed to preserve the cake’s tender crumb. Introduce hot coffee and black food gel, stirring until the batter achieves a glossy, consistent appearance.
6. Baking Process: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, performing a toothpick test to confirm doneness. Rest cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
7. Frosting Creation: Blend cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting reaches a light, billowy consistency.
8. Cake Assembly: Position first cake layer on a serving plate, spreading a lavish layer of cream cheese frosting. Carefully place second layer and frost the entire cake’s exterior with either a sleek finish or decorative swirls.
9. Final Flourish: Embellish with edible glitter, black sprinkles, or fresh berries to add visual drama and textural intrigue to the luxurious black velvet cake.

Notes

• Choose Precise Temperature: Maintain exact 350F (175C) for consistent baking, using an oven thermometer to verify accurate heat distribution.
• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold ingredients and mix on low speed to preserve cake’s delicate air pockets, ensuring a tender, light texture without dense or tough results.
• Control Moisture Balance: Add hot coffee carefully to enhance rich flavor and depth while maintaining silky batter consistency, preventing potential dryness.
• Strategic Cooling Technique: Let cakes rest in pans exactly 10 minutes before transferring to wire rack, preventing structural breakdown and preserving delicate cake structure.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 60 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg