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Ultimate Cozy Black Velvet Birthday Cake for Scorpio Season

cozy black velvet birthday cake - featured image
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A moist, tender black velvet cake with a dramatic dark color and subtle depth, topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for Scorpio season or any cozy celebration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (45g) black cocoa powder
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons black gel food coloring (optional)
  • 16 oz (454g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • Black sanding sugar or edible glitter (optional)
  • Fresh blackberries or dark chocolate shavings (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper, and lightly flour sides.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, black cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until no lumps remain.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and black gel food coloring (if using) until smooth and uniformly dark.
  4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Fold with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine.
  5. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Tap pans gently on counter to release air bubbles. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  6. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges, invert onto a cooling rack, remove parchment paper, and cool completely (at least 1 hour).
  7. For frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed. Add vanilla and salt, then beat on medium-high for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  8. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread about ¾ cup frosting evenly on top. Place second layer on top. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting all over. Chill for 20 minutes.
  9. Apply remaining frosting generously. Use an offset spatula to create swoops and swirls. Decorate with black sanding sugar, edible glitter, or fresh blackberries if desired.

Notes

Room temperature ingredients are crucial for proper emulsification. Do not skip the vinegar—it reacts with baking soda for a tender crumb. Black cocoa powder is less acidic than regular cocoa; for a truly black color, use black gel food coloring. Chill the cake after crumb coating for a smooth final frosting layer. The cake tastes even better on day two.

Nutrition

Keywords: black velvet cake, birthday cake, Scorpio season, cream cheese frosting, black cocoa, cozy cake, velvet cake

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/ultimate-cozy-black-velvet-birthday-cake-for-scorpio-season/