Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The Black Velvet Halloween Cake combines the best of both worlds: it’s a stunning centerpiece for any spooky event and it delivers on flavor. The cake itself has a deep, rich chocolate taste, thanks to Dutch-process cocoa powder, and the black food coloring gives it a striking appearance. Topped with a creamy and tangy cream cheese frosting, this cake is as delicious as it is eye-catching. It’s a fun and festive treat for Halloween parties, fall birthdays, or gothic-themed events.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Dry Ingredients:

2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (85g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
1 cup (240ml) hot water or brewed coffee
¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil
2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 tsp black gel food coloring

Frosting:

1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
16 oz (450g) cream cheese, room temperature
4–5 cups (480–600g) powdered sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Optional: extra cocoa powder or black gel food coloring

Directions

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper and grease the sides of the pans.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and black food coloring until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine

Alternate adding the dry ingredients and hot water (or brewed coffee) to the wet mixture. Stir until the batter is smooth and dark. Be careful not to overmix, as this could affect the texture of the cake.

Step 5: Bake

Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans. Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 6: Make the Frosting

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated. If desired, tint the frosting with extra black food coloring or a little more cocoa powder for a richer, gothic aesthetic.

Step 7: Assemble the Cake

Once the cakes have cooled completely, level the cake layers with a serrated knife if needed. Spread a layer of frosting between the cake layers, then frost the top and sides of the entire cake. Decorate with spooky Halloween-themed toppings, such as Halloween candies, edible glitter, or crushed Oreo crumbs.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Slice and serve the Black Velvet Halloween Cake as the perfect sweet ending to your spooky gathering!

Servings and Timing

Yield: 12 slices
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Variations

Add Spices: For a deeper flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients to complement the chocolate.
Different Frosting: If you prefer a sweeter frosting, try a classic buttercream instead of cream cheese frosting for a lighter finish.
Decorative Toppings: Decorate with edible blood, candy eyes, or Halloween sprinkles for an extra spooky effect!

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cake can also be stored in the fridge if you prefer a firmer texture.
Freezing: If you want to make the cake ahead of time, freeze the layers separately before frosting. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting and serving.

FAQs

1. Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch-process cocoa powder?

While regular cocoa powder can be used, Dutch-process cocoa gives the cake a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor. For the best results, it’s recommended to use Dutch-process cocoa.

2. How can I make the cake even darker?

To make the cake even darker, use more black food coloring, or substitute the hot water with brewed coffee, which can enhance the cake’s dark color and depth of flavor.

3. Can I use a different size cake pan?

Yes, you can use other sizes, but make sure to adjust the baking time. If you use a 9-inch pan, the cake may take less time to bake. Be sure to check for doneness with a toothpick.

4. Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cake layers and store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days before frosting. You can also freeze the cake layers for up to 1 month. Frost and assemble before serving.

5. Can I make this cake without the food coloring?

Yes! The cake will still taste delicious without the black food coloring. It will just be a rich chocolate cake instead of a black velvet one.

6. Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can make this cake gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. Make sure to check that all other ingredients, like the baking powder, are gluten-free as well.

7. What can I serve with the Black Velvet Cake?

This cake is rich and indulgent, so it pairs well with a light fruit salad, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a chilled glass of milk.

8. How do I prevent the cake from sticking to the pan?

To prevent the cake from sticking, line your cake pans with parchment paper and grease the sides with butter or cooking spray. This will make it easy to remove the cakes once they’ve cooled.

9. Can I use a different frosting for this cake?

Yes! While cream cheese frosting is traditional, you can use buttercream or even whipped cream for a lighter topping.

10. Can I decorate the cake for other occasions?

Absolutely! You can switch out the Halloween decorations for other themes like birthdays, Christmas, or even a gothic-themed party by using different colored frosting and topping choices.

Conclusion

This Black Velvet Halloween Cake is an incredible dessert that’s perfect for any spooky celebration. With its rich chocolate flavor, dark color, and creamy frosting, it’s a show-stopping treat that will leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just craving a decadent dessert, this cake is sure to be the star of the event!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

Wet Ingredients:

Frosting:

Directions

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

Step 4: Combine

Step 5: Bake

Step 6: Make the Frosting

Step 7: Assemble the Cake

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Servings and Timing

Variations

Storage/Reheating

FAQs

1. Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch-process cocoa powder?

2. How can I make the cake even darker?

3. Can I use a different size cake pan?

4. Can I make this cake ahead of time?

5. Can I make this cake without the food coloring?

6. Can I make this cake gluten-free?

7. What can I serve with the Black Velvet Cake?

8. How do I prevent the cake from sticking to the pan?

9. Can I use a different frosting for this cake?

10. Can I decorate the cake for other occasions?

Conclusion

Black Velvet Halloween Cake: A Darkly Delicious Dessert for Your Spooky Party

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition