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Best Black Velvet Birthday Cake for a Scorpio Celebration

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A dark, dramatic, and deeply satisfying black velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, perfect for Scorpio season or any celebration. This budget-friendly recipe uses simple ingredients to create a rich, moist cake that feeds a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (312g)
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (300g)
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (45g)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup buttermilk (240ml), room temperature
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (120ml)
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot coffee (240ml)
  • 2 tablespoons black gel food coloring
  • 16 oz cream cheese (450g), softened
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (226g), softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480g), sifted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until no lumps remain.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Stir black gel food coloring into the wet ingredients until deep dark gray.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. With mixer running on low, slowly pour in hot coffee. Batter will become thin. Scrape down sides and stir once more.
  7. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Tap pans gently to release air bubbles.
  8. Bake for 22-26 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack. Remove parchment and cool completely.
  9. For frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth (about 3 minutes). Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low. Add vanilla and salt, then beat on medium for 2 minutes until fluffy. Refrigerate 15 minutes if too soft.
  10. Level cake layers with a serrated knife. Place one layer on serving plate and spread about ¾ cup frosting on top. Repeat with second layer. Place third layer upside down. Apply thin crumb coat and refrigerate 20 minutes. Apply final layer of frosting.

Notes

Use natural cocoa powder, not Dutch-process. Gel food coloring is essential for deep black color. Room temperature ingredients ensure proper emulsification. Crumb coat is not optional for clean frosting. Coffee deepens chocolate flavor without adding coffee taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: black velvet cake, birthday cake, Scorpio cake, chocolate cake, cream cheese frosting, homemade cake, potluck dessert

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/best-black-velvet-birthday-cake-for-a-scorpio-celebration/