Description
This Spooky Black Velvet Halloween Cake is a dramatic, moist, and rich chocolate cake with a striking black color perfect for Halloween. Topped with creamy cream cheese frosting and spooky decorations, it’s sure to be the centerpiece of your spooky celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-processed)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp black gel food coloring
- 1 cup hot brewed coffee (optional, enhances chocolate flavor)
- For frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Black sanding sugar or Halloween sprinkles (optional for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, oil, eggs, vanilla, vinegar, black food coloring, and coffee.
- Mix batter: Gradually add wet ingredients to dry, mixing until smooth and combined.
- Bake: Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool: Let cakes cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until fluffy.
- Assemble: Spread frosting on one cake layer, top with second layer, then frost the top and sides.
- Decorate: Sprinkle black sanding sugar or Halloween sprinkles for spooky effect.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy your spooky, delicious cake!
Notes
Use gel food coloring for a deeper black color without altering texture. The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor but can be omitted for a milder taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Halloween, Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: black velvet cake, halloween cake, spooky cake, chocolate cake, halloween dessert