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Decadent Black Velvet Halloween Layer Cake with Purple Ombre Frosting

black velvet halloween layer cake - featured image
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A moist black velvet cake with a slight cocoa undertone paired with a smooth, creamy purple ombre cream cheese frosting. Perfect for Halloween or any occasion needing an elegant, indulgent dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (312g)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar (400g)
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (75g), natural cocoa recommended
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 ½ cups buttermilk (360ml), room temperature (or 1 ½ cups milk + 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (240ml)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp black gel food coloring
  • 16 oz cream cheese (450g), softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (113g), softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480g), sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2–3 tbsp milk or heavy cream (as needed)
  • Purple gel food coloring (amount varies for ombre effect)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk gently to combine.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and black gel food coloring.
  4. Slowly add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula until just combined. Batter should be smooth and pourable but not runny.
  5. Divide batter evenly between the two pans (about 3 cups per pan). Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  6. Let cakes cool in pans for 15 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  7. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy (3-4 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed, then beat on medium-high until creamy.
  8. Add vanilla extract and milk or cream to reach desired consistency.
  9. Divide frosting into 4 bowls. Leave one bowl white or very pale purple, tint the others with increasing amounts of purple gel food coloring to create a light-to-dark gradient.
  10. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread lightest purple frosting evenly over the top (about ½ cup).
  11. Add second cake layer. Use medium-light purple frosting to cover top and sides, then repeat with medium and darkest shades to finish the ombre effect on sides.
  12. Smooth frosting with an offset spatula, blending colors gently where they meet for a seamless gradient.
  13. Refrigerate cake for at least 1 hour before serving to firm frosting and meld flavors.

Notes

Use buttermilk for moist crumb and slight tang; avoid overmixing batter to prevent dense cake. Soften cream cheese and butter before frosting to avoid lumps. Use gel food coloring for vibrant frosting without thinning. Chill cake before slicing for clean cuts. A serrated knife dipped in hot water helps slice neatly. Frosting thickness can be adjusted with milk or powdered sugar.

Nutrition

Keywords: black velvet cake, Halloween cake, purple ombre frosting, cream cheese frosting, chocolate cake, layered cake, spooky dessert

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/decadent-black-velvet-halloween-layer-cake-easy-purple-ombre-frosting-recipe/