Description
A dramatic, decadent black velvet cake made with rich black cocoa powder for deep color and bittersweet flavor, layered with silky black cocoa frosting. Perfect for special occasions, Halloween, or elegant gatherings.
Ingredients
6 tbsp unsalted butter
3/4 tsp fine sea salt
1 2/3 cup + 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup + 1 tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder, sifted
3/4 cup black cocoa powder, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp fine sea salt
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup hot coffee (or hot water)
3/4 cup black cocoa powder
Instructions
- For frosting: melt butter with salt. Add cream and sugar, whisk until nearly boiling. Stir in chocolate until melted. In mixer, add sifted cocoa powders. Stream in hot mixture, mix smooth, then add vanilla. Refrigerate 4–6 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line three 6-inch pans with parchment.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, whisk sugar, oil, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients until smooth.
- Whisk hot coffee and black cocoa until lump-free. Stir into batter. Divide into pans (~395 g each).
- Bake 25–35 minutes until toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely.
- Let frosting sit 1 hour at room temp, then paddle-mix briefly. Layer cake with frosting, chilling 30–60 minutes before covering with remaining frosting. Decorate as desired.
Notes
- Add espresso powder for deeper flavor.
- Use milk chocolate for a sweeter frosting.
- Bake as a two-layer 8-inch cake instead of three 6-inch layers.
- Include raspberry jam or caramel between layers for contrast.
- Decorate with edible gold leaf or black sprinkles for elegance.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking and Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/14 of cake)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
