Description

This Black Velvet Halloween Cake is rich, dramatic, and perfect for spooky celebrations. With deep chocolate flavor from Dutch-process cocoa, bold black coloring, and luscious cream cheese frosting, it’s a show-stopping dessert that’s moist, flavorful, and unforgettable. Ideal for Halloween parties, fall birthdays, or gothic-themed events.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (85g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
1 cup (240ml) hot water or brewed coffee
¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil
2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 tsp black gel food coloring

Frosting:

1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
16 oz (450g) cream cheese, room temperature
4–5 cups (480–600g) powdered sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Optional: extra cocoa powder or black gel food coloring

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper and grease the sides.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and black food coloring until smooth.
Combine: Alternate adding dry ingredients and hot water/coffee to the wet mixture. Stir until batter is smooth and dark.
Bake: Divide batter evenly into pans and bake 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
Make Frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add vanilla and gradually mix in powdered sugar. Tint if desired.
Assemble: Level cooled cake layers. Frost between layers, then cover the entire cake. Decorate as desired with spooky toppings.

Notes

Use Dutch-process cocoa and black food gel for deep black color.
Do not overmix the batter—this ensures a soft crumb.
Cool cake layers completely before frosting to avoid melting.
Decorate with Halloween candies, edible glitter, or Oreo crumbs for theme.
Black cocoa frosting adds a richer gothic aesthetic if preferred.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Cakes
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 480
Sugar: 42g
Sodium: 340mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 56g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: Black Velvet Halloween Cake, Halloween Cake Recipe, Gothic Cake, Black Cake, Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake