Black Velvet Halloween Cake

As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, October brings with it a sense of excitement and anticipation for Halloween. This festive season is not just about costumes and trick-or-treating; it’s also a wonderful opportunity to unleash your creativity in the kitchen. One dessert that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Halloween is the Spooktacular Black Velvet Halloween Cake. This cake is not only visually striking, boasting a deep, rich black hue, but it also delights the taste buds with its moist, decadent texture and luscious flavors.

Get ready to impress your guests this Halloween with a Spooktacular Black Velvet Halloween Cake! This visually stunning dessert features a rich black hue and a decadent flavor that combines rich cocoa with creamy frosting. Perfect for parties or cozy movie nights, this cake will steal the show. Follow easy step-by-step instructions to create the moist, tender cake and crown it with delightful cream cheese frosting. Pack in festive decorations and make your Halloween unforgettable!

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Ingredients

For the cake:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (dark)

1 ½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 ½ cups buttermilk, room temperature

1 cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp white vinegar

Black food coloring (gel, as needed for desired color)

For the cream cheese frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2-3 tbsp heavy cream (optional for thinning)

For decoration:

Edible black glitter (optional)

Orange and black sprinkles

Mini skeletons or spooky cake toppers

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and white vinegar. Use a whisk to combine thoroughly.

Color the Mixture: Add black food coloring to the wet ingredients until you achieve a rich black hue, stirring well to incorporate.

Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix on medium speed until just combined. Be cautious not to overmix; aim for a smooth batter.

Divide and Bake: Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool the Cakes: Once baked, let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Prepare the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue beating until well combined. Add in the vanilla extract. If the frosting is too thick, gradually add heavy cream until you reach the desired consistency.

Assemble the Cake: Place one layer of the cooled cake on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on top. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.

Decorate: Sprinkle edible black glitter and orange and black sprinkles over the top of the cake. Add mini skeletons or other spooky decorations to enhance the Halloween theme.

Serve and Enjoy: Slice the cake and serve to your guests! This delightful treat is sure to be the highlight of any Halloween celebration.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Servings: 12