Spooky Black Velvet Halloween Cake
This dark and delicious cake combines rich cocoa flavors with a perfect cream cheese frosting, making it a striking centerpiece for any Halloween celebration.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2.5 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tsp white vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- to taste black food coloring (optional for extra spooky vibes)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, hot water, and vinegar until smooth.
- Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined.
Baking
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and tap them lightly on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Frosting and Assembly
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and continue beating until fluffy. Add vanilla extract and black food coloring if desired.
- Place one layer of the cake on a serving platter, spread frosting on top, place the second layer on top, and frost the whole cake. Decorate as desired.
Notes
Don’t skip the vinegar as it greatly enhances the cake's texture! Consider using dark cocoa for a richer flavor.