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Decadent Black Velvet Birthday Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

black velvet birthday cake - featured image
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A dramatic black velvet cake with deep, rich chocolate flavor and tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for birthdays, goth weddings, or any celebration where you want to impress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1 cup black cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (canola or avocado)
  • 1 cup hot strong brewed coffee
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened (full-fat brick style)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Fresh berries (optional, for decoration)
  • Edible flowers (optional, for decoration)
  • Gold sprinkles (optional, for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper. Grease parchment as well.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, black cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt for at least 30 seconds.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. Batter will be very thick.
  5. Slowly pour in hot coffee while mixing on low speed until batter is smooth and consistency of thick milkshake. Scrape down bowl.
  6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans (about 2 ½ cups each). Tap pans gently on counter to release air bubbles.
  7. Bake for 28-32 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool in pans on wire rack for 15 minutes.
  8. Run a knife around edges, invert cakes onto rack, peel off parchment, and cool completely (at least 2 hours).
  9. For frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add sifted powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low. Add vanilla and salt, then beat on medium-high for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  10. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread about 1 cup frosting evenly on top. Place second layer on top. Apply thin crumb coat, refrigerate 20 minutes, then apply final layer of frosting. Decorate as desired.

Notes

Don’t skip the hot coffee—it deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee. Room temperature ingredients are crucial for best texture. Weigh flour if possible (240g total for 2 cups). Cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting.

Nutrition

Keywords: black velvet cake, birthday cake, cream cheese frosting, black cocoa, chocolate cake, dramatic cake, goth cake

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/decadent-black-velvet-birthday-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting/