Black Velvet Layer Cake

Classic red velvet cake gets a spooky makeover in this black velvet edition perfect for Halloween!

It is an absolute understatement to say that I’m so excited to bring you this cake today, because truly, I was squealing with excitement during the photoshoot. That is #foodbloggerlife for you, for sure.

If you recall, last month, I brought you red velvet cupcakes in preparation for a cake experiment for this month (ah yes, the next installment of our Cake of The Month trend!). I was a little nervous about where this cake would go, but I went for it, and I think the result was aaaaamazing.

And (!!!), just in time for one of the greatest times of the year (Halloweeeeeen!) because who doesn’t love candy and candy CORN and costumes and monsters and just about any reason to bake some sort of spooky treat? You feel me?

So, I won’t go into to much detail about exactly what happens in this black velvet cake, because in all honesty, it is almost identical to the red velvet cupcakes recipe you’ll see here. Please visit that post if you’re interested in the whats and whys of this cake.

That cupcake recipe doubled = this cake. With a tweak to the amount of gel food coloring (because only 1 teaspoon meant a dingy black/gray cake and that was g-ROSS). And obviously, a longer bake time. Bing, bang, boom! We have ourselves black velvet cake.

With all of the cake hooplah out of the way, I’d like to chat a bit about exactly how you’re going to get colored layers and how to make them perfectly contained within your cake so you don’t wind up with weird swirls on the outside of your cake because inside colored frosting leaked out.

Is that something you thought you’d have to worry about? If not, read on, because this is where it gets important!

When working with any kind of filling or frosting that is not the same color as the outside frosting of your cake (like this one– white on the outsides, yellow/pink/orange on the inside), you want to be sure all of that color, liquid, drippings, etc are contained and not leaking out into the beautiful outside coating.

The way to do that? Making a well of white frosting on the outside edge of the layer.

Like so…

See how we have a barrier of white frosting keeping in the orange frosting? When all of those layers are on top of each other, the white frosting will make a bit of a “glue” to hold all that colorful goodness inside. No unwanted swirls on the outside! Wahoo!

This cake tastes just as terrific as it looks. It tastes just the way you’d expect red velvet to taste, and if you choose cream cheese frosting like I did, you’ll get the full effect with that spooky flair. It is the perfect complement to your Halloween celebration, and it’s certainly a show stopper once you’ve cut into it.

Seriously, just look at those layers!!

If you’re into impressive desserts and really getting into the spirit of Halloween, this cake absolutely belongs in your repertoire this weekend or early next week.

And on a spider serving plate? Well, that’s just the icing on the cake.

Print Recipe

Black Velvet Layer Cake

Classic red velvet cake gets a spooky makeover in this black velvet edition perfect for Halloween!

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time23 mins

Total Time43 mins

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

BLACK VELVET CAKE

• 4 large eggs room temperature and separated
• 2 and 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
• 3 teaspoons black gel coloring*
• 1 cup buttermilk

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

• 8 ounces full fat block cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• 3 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• gel food coloring in desired colors for optional tinting of frosting

Instructions

CAKE

• Place oven rack on the middle setting and preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour (or use homemade cake release) two 8" or 9" round cake pans.
• In a medium size bowl with a handheld mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form (approximately 2 minutes). Set aside or remove from mixer bowl and transfer to a smaller bowl.
• Sift the flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda together into a medium size bowl. Set aside.
• In a large bowl with a handheld mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy (approximately 2-3 minutes). Add the vegetable oil and beat again until completely incorporated. Add the egg yolks, vanilla extract, vinegar, and food coloring and beat again on medium speed until everything is combined.
• Turn the mixer down to low speed and add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with half of the buttermilk. Do not overmix batter. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter with a spatula.
• Divide batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake cakes for about 22-24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Remove from oven and allow cakes to cool completely on a wire rack before assembling.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

• In a large bowl with a handheld or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on high speed until smooth and creamy. With the mixer on low, add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
• Increase mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 2 minutes.

ASSEMBLE THE CAKE

• If you'd like colorful layers inside your cake, tint approximately 1/3 cup of frosting the desired color for each layer you'd like colored. For a 2 layer cake, you only need one layer of colored frosting. For a 4 layer cake, you will need 1-3 colors of frosting.
• For a 2 layer cake: place one layer, bottom side up, on a plate or cake stand. Using a large zip top bag with the corner snipped off or a pastry bag fitted with a Wilton #12 piping tip, pipe a well with white frosting (or the color of the outside of your cake) around the outside edge of the cake.
• Using a spatula or knife, spread an even layer of colored frosting over the entire surface, staying inside the well. Place the second layer on top, bottom side down, and press down on the top lightly. Spread the rest of the white (or desired color) frosting on the cake, beginning with the top and working your way down the sides. Decorate as desired.
• For a 4 layer cake: split each layer into two smaller layers using a cake leveler or serrated knife and repeat steps for 2 layer cake, using desired color frostings.
• Cake stays fresh covered at room temperature for up to 4 days. Cake may be covered and refrigerated for up to 7 days.
• Make ahead: prepare cakes and frosting up to 1 day in advance. Cover cakes tightly and keep at room temperature or in the refrigerator until ready to assemble. Refrigerate prepared frosting in an airtight container until ready to use. Unfrosted cake layers may be frozen, wrapped tightly, up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before assembling. Frosted cake can be frozen, wrapped tightly, up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.

Notes

*I prefer gel color. If you only have liquid food coloring, use approximately 2 Tablespoons.