Description
A dramatic, deep-black cocoa cake with a soft velvet crumb and a rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for Halloween parties and spooky celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour
- 3/4 cup black cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp black gel food coloring
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the cake flour, black cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and black gel food coloring until the color is uniform.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing only until combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until fluffy.
- Place one cake layer on a plate, spread a thick layer of frosting, top with the second cake layer, and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American