Description
A rich and elegant chocolate cake with a stunning black hue, perfect for special occasions and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup black food coloring gel
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1/2 cup blackberry preserves
- Fresh blackberries (for garnish)
- Dark chocolate shavings (for garnish)
- Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare three 8-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring them.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined.
- Carefully add the boiling water and black food coloring gel to the batter and mix until smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, mixing until smooth. Add heavy cream and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy.
- Assemble the cake by spreading a layer of blackberry preserves between each layer, then frost the top and sides with chocolate frosting.
- Garnish with blackberries, chocolate shavings, and mint leaves before serving.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix. Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your preference.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 72g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: cake, chocolate cake, black velvet cake, dessert, birthday cake