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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C). Line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
- 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.
- Butter Transformation: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes ethereally light and voluminous, developing a pale, cloud-like texture.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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