Black Velvet Cake Recipe 

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This is the best spice cake recipe. A smooth brown butter cream cheese icing covers this delicious, nicely spiced cake. It never disappoints and is a show-stopper. Enhance with candied nuts for decorating and munching.  

Black Velvet Cake – 2/3 cup (60g) black cocoa powder – 2 cups (250g) all purpose flour – 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar – 1/2 tsp salt – 1 tsp baking soda – 1 1/2 cups (325ml) vegetable or canola oil – 1 cup (235ml) buttermilk – 1 tbsp white vinegar – 2 large eggs, room temp – 2 tsp vanilla extract Black Cocoa Buttercream – 1 cup (220g) unsalted butter, room temp – 1 cup (210g) vegetable shortening – 2–3 cups (240g – 360g) powdered sugar – 1 1/2 cups (150g) black cocoa powder – 1 tsp vanilla extract

Ingredient

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Black Velvet Cake Set the oven at 350F, spray three 6-inch round cake pans with nonstick spray, and cover the bottoms with parchment paper. If you have cake strips, use those. Refer to notes for cake pan options.  

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Step 1

Instructions

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Whisk the dry ingredients while slowly pouring the wet components in. As the batter thickens, use a rubber spatula halfway through. Smoothly fold batter.  

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Step 2

Fill your cake pans and bake for 35–40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  

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Step 3

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 20 minutes. Turn them onto a cooling rack and remove the parchment. If decorating the cakes the same day, chill them uncovered in the fridge for 1 hour. 

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Step 4

After cooling at room temperature, wrap each cake in plastic wrap and chill for up to two days if decorating afterward.  

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Step 5

Black Cocoa Buttercream  Mix butter and shortening in a large basin with a hand or stand mixer and whisk attachment until creamy. 

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Step 6

Mix powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, then black cocoa powder. Finally, add vanilla. If the batter is too thin, add another cup of powdered sugar. 

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Step 7

Put together and decorate After the cakes cool, level the tops if needed. After spreading buttercream evenly between each cake, chill for 20 minutes.

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Step 8

So the cake doesn't slide when you frost the sides, lock the layers. Cover the cake with remaining frosting when it sets. Return the cake to the fridge to set the icing. 

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Step 9

Prepare decorations while it chills. In a separate bowl, mix 1 teaspoon white food coloring with 1/2 tsp water for splatters. Cutting 6 6-7-inch wire segments for bats. Attach bat sticky strips to wire ends. 

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Step 10

After chilling the cake, add white splatters. Put your brush an inch away from the cake after lightly dipping it in white food coloring. Run your finger across the brush tip to flick food coloring onto the cake. 

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Step 11

Floral Separator

Also see

Spice Cake With Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe