Black Velvet Gothic Cake

This Black Velvet Halloween Cake brings a touch of gothic elegance and mysterious charm to your Halloween celebrations. Unlike the typical red velvet, this cake embraces a deep black hue that's both dramatic and fitting for the spookiest time of year. Its rich cocoa flavor combined with a tangy cream cheese frosting creates a balance that surprises and delights the palate. This cake works beautifully whether you want to impress guests at a sophisticated gathering or serve a fun and eerie dessert for family and kids.

I first baked this cake during a Halloween party and was amazed how it stole the show. Now it's my go to every year for a spooky centerpiece that tastes as good as it looks.

Ingredients

• Allpurpose flour: provides structure with a tender crumb, choose fresh for best results
• Granulated sugar: sweetens without overpowering, use fine for smooth mixing
• Brown sugar: adds moisture and a subtle caramel depth, packed firmly before measuring
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: the backbone of the chocolate flavor, opt for Dutch processed if you prefer a milder acidity
• Baking soda: leavens the cake for lightness, ensure it is fresh so the cake rises properly
• Baking powder: works with baking soda to give the perfect rise and crumb
• Salt: balances sweetness and enhances flavors
• Large eggs: room temperature eggs blend easier and support the cake structure
• Buttermilk: tenderizes and adds a slight tang, homemade or store bought both work well
• Vegetable oil: keeps the cake moist and soft, neutral flavor preferred
• Vanilla extract: deepens the flavor profile, use pure extract for better aroma
• White vinegar: reacts with baking soda to lighten and tenderize the crumb
• Black food coloring: this creates the signature dark hue, gel or paste types are best to avoid thinning the batter
• Hot coffee: intensifies the cocoa flavor and keeps the cake irresistibly moist
• Cream cheese: the base for the luscious frosting, softened for easy mixing
• Butter: adds richness and smooth texture to the frosting, use unsalted for control
• Powdered sugar: sweetens and thickens the frosting, ensure it is sifted to avoid lumps
• Vanilla extract for frosting: complements the tangy cream cheese while adding warmth
• Pinch of salt for frosting: balances the sweetness and enhances flavor
• Halloween decorations: plastic spiders, candy eyes, orange sprinkles make the cake festive and fun

Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare cake pans:

Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius. Grease two 9inch round cake pans thoroughly then dust them with cocoa powder to prevent sticking and add a hint of chocolate flavor

Mix dry ingredients:

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of raising agents and the cocoa for consistent texture and flavor

Combine wet ingredients:

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and white vinegar. Mix these until well blended for a smooth wet base

Incorporate wet into dry:

Slowly pour the wet mixture into the bowl with dry ingredients. Stir gently and just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cake

Add the black food coloring:

Stir in the black food coloring gradually until the batter reaches a rich, dark black. Use enough to get an intense color but be careful not to dilute the batter

Add hot coffee last:

Slowly mix the hot coffee into the batter. The batter will become thin, but this step is key for deep cocoa flavor and moisture

Divide batter and bake:

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached

Cool cakes:

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes to set. Then carefully turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting

Prepare the frosting:

Beat the cream cheese and butter on medium speed until fluffy and smooth, around 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt while continuing to beat until the frosting is creamy and spreadable

Assemble the cake:

Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous layer of frosting over it. Add the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting, using a spatula to create dramatic drips down the sides

Decorate:

Finish with Halloween themed decorations such as plastic spiders, candy eyes, and orange sprinkles for an eerie yet festive look perfect for the occasion

Personally, the combination of thick cream cheese frosting with the moist, intense chocolate cake always takes me back to a memorable night where my friends marveled at how something so dark could taste so delicious.

Storage Tips

Store any leftovers tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain freshness. After that, refrigeration will extend its life up to a week but bring the cake to room temperature before serving for the best flavor. To freeze, wrap the cake layers individually in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and then frost as usual.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with enough milk to make 1 1/2 cups, let it sit for 10 minutes before using. Unsweetened black or dark cocoa powder can substitute for regular cocoa but expect a more intense chocolate taste. To achieve the black color, you can blend black food coloring with a tiny bit of blue for deeper tone if needed. Cream cheese can be replaced with mascarpone for a slightly sweeter frosting with a richer texture.

Serving Suggestions

Slice the cake thickly and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to cool the richness. For a spooky twist, drizzle raspberry sauce to mimic “blood” or top with edible glitter to add a magical shimmer. Pairing with coffee or a dark stout beer works wonderfully to complement the cake’s flavor notes.

This Black Velvet Halloween Cake is dramatic to look at and reliably delicious. Try it for your next spooky gathering.

Your Recipe Questions Answered

→ What gives the cake its black color?

The deep black color comes from a combination of black food coloring and rich unsweetened cocoa powder blended into the batter.

→ How does hot coffee affect the cake?

Hot coffee adds moisture and enhances the chocolate flavor, resulting in a richer and more intense cake.

→ What makes the frosting unique?

The frosting is a smooth cream cheese blend with butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a hint of salt for balanced sweetness and tang.

→ Can this cake be decorated for Halloween themes?

Yes, it’s perfect for Halloween decor like plastic spiders, candy eyes, and orange sprinkles that add a spooky touch.

→ Is this cake suitable for special occasions?

Absolutely, its elegant gothic style makes it ideal for sophisticated Halloween parties or family gatherings.