Description

This Black Velvet Cake Recipe delivers a moist, tender chocolate cake with a striking deep black color, perfect for celebrations and special occasions. Made with rich cocoa powder and enhanced with black food coloring, this cake offers a dramatic presentation while maintaining classic chocolate flavors. It pairs beautifully with cream cheese frosting or dark chocolate ganache for an indulgent treat everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1¾ cups granulated sugar
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup hot water
1 tablespoon black food coloring (gel preferred)
1 teaspoon white vinegar

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Instructions

Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well blended.
Mix Batter: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until smooth. Gradually add the hot water while mixing steadily until the batter is thin and uniform in texture.
Add Color and Vinegar: Stir in the black food coloring gel and white vinegar thoroughly to achieve an even deep black color throughout the batter.
Fill Pans: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops for even baking.
Bake: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then carefully turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting or serving.

Notes

Substitute half of the cocoa powder with natural black cocoa powder for a richer black color.
Gel food coloring is preferred as it provides a deeper color without thinning the batter.
Pair this cake with cream cheese frosting or dark chocolate ganache for the best flavor experience.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American