Luxurious Black Velvet Cake

The Luxurious Black Velvet Cake is a sophisticated twist on the classic velvet cake—rich, moist, and deeply dark in color with a bold cocoa flavor and a silky cream cheese frosting. Finished with decadent toppings like chocolate shavings, fresh berries, or edible gold leaf, this show-stopping dessert is perfect for elegant occasions, festive gatherings, or any time you want to impress.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Deep, rich cocoa flavor with a striking black hue

Moist and tender crumb, thanks to a balance of oil and milk

Velvety smooth cream cheese frosting for tang and richness

Perfect for special celebrations or when you want to elevate your dessert game

Easy to customize with decorative toppings

A beautiful centerpiece that’s as delicious as it looks

Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cake:

315 g all-purpose flour

300 g granulated sugar

30 g unsweetened cocoa powder

5 g baking powder

7.5 g baking soda

5 g salt

240 ml whole milk

120 ml vegetable oil

2 large eggs

5 ml vanilla extract

120 ml boiling water

15 ml black food coloring (optional, for extra “black” look)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

450 g cream cheese, softened

115 g unsalted butter, softened

500 g powdered sugar

5 ml vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

For Decoration (optional):

Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder

Fresh berries (such as raspberries or blackberries)

Edible gold leaf (for an extra luxurious touch)

Directions
Make the Cake:
Preheat and Prepare Pans:
Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and flour two 23 cm (9-inch) round cake pans or line with parchment paper.

Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add Wet Ingredients:
Add the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until smooth.

Incorporate Boiling Water:
Gradually add the boiling water (batter will be thin). If using black food coloring, stir it in at this stage.

Bake:
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool:
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
Beat Base Ingredients:
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.

Add Sugar:
Gradually mix in powdered sugar (about 125 g at a time), beating well after each addition.

Finish:
Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Beat until the frosting is fluffy and fully blended.

Assemble the Cake:
Slice (Optional):
Once completely cooled, slice each cake horizontally to create four even layers.

Layer and Frost:
Place the first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top. Repeat with remaining layers, finishing with frosting over the top and sides of the cake.

Smooth and Polish:
Use a spatula or cake scraper to smooth the frosting for a clean, elegant finish.

Decorate the Cake:
Garnish with chocolate shavings, a dusting of cocoa powder, or fresh berries.

For a truly luxurious presentation, add a few pieces of edible gold leaf on top or around the base.

Servings and timing
Servings: 12–14 slices
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Assembly time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Variations
Black Forest Twist: Add a layer of cherry compote between each layer for a fruity variation.

Mocha Version: Mix 1–2 teaspoons of espresso powder into the batter for a hint of coffee flavor.

White Chocolate Frosting: Substitute half the cream cheese frosting with white chocolate buttercream.

Mini Cakes: Use the batter to make mini layer cakes or cupcakes for individual servings.

No Food Coloring: Omit the black food coloring for a dark chocolate velvet cake with natural tones.

storage/reheating
Store the assembled cake in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days. Allow the cake to sit at room temperature for 30–60 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor. Leftover slices can be individually wrapped and frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

FAQs
What makes this a “black” velvet cake?
The addition of black food coloring intensifies the dark cocoa appearance, creating a visually dramatic version of traditional velvet cake.

Can I use Dutch-processed cocoa?
Yes, Dutch-processed cocoa works well and will enhance the color and depth of flavor.

How do I make even cake layers?
Use a serrated knife or cake leveler to trim domed tops and slice the cake layers evenly.

Can I use butter instead of oil?
Oil provides more moisture, but you can use melted butter for a richer flavor if preferred.

Is this cake overly sweet?
The balanced cocoa and tangy cream cheese frosting help to prevent it from being too sweet.

Can I make this cake in advance?
Yes, the cake layers can be baked a day ahead and stored tightly wrapped at room temperature. Assemble the next day.

Do I have to use black food coloring?
No, it’s optional and only affects appearance, not flavor. The cake will still be rich and delicious without it.

What size pan should I use if I don’t have two 23 cm pans?
You can use a single deep 23×33 cm pan and adjust the baking time accordingly (45–50 minutes).

Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
For best texture and flavor, full-fat cream cheese is recommended.

What type of decoration works best for special events?
Fresh berries, edible flowers, or gold leaf make for elegant and eye-catching decorations.

Conclusion
The Luxurious Black Velvet Cake is a visually stunning and deeply flavorful dessert that delivers both elegance and indulgence. With its tender, rich cake layers and smooth cream cheese frosting, it’s ideal for birthdays, holidays, or any event that calls for a dramatic and delicious centerpiece. This is not just a cake—it’s a celebration on a plate.

Print