Spooky Black Velvet Halloween Cake with dark frosting and Halloween-themed decorations

Why Make This Recipe

Halloween is a fun time of year, and what better way to celebrate than with a spooky dessert? The Spooky Black Velvet Halloween Cake is not only beautiful but also delicious. This cake stands out because of its rich black color and smooth texture, making it perfect for Halloween parties or any festive occasion. It combines the unique flavor of black cocoa with sweet blackberries, adding both taste and a pop of color. Plus, it's a treat that will surely impress your friends and family!

How to Make Spooky Black Velvet Halloween Cake

Ingredients

For the cake:

2 cups White granulated sugar
2 cups All-purpose flour (sifted)
¾ cup Black cocoa powder (sifted)
2 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Salt
2 Eggs (room temperature)
1 cup Buttermilk (room temperature)
1 cup Coffee (hot)
½ cup Canola oil
2 tsp Vanilla extract

For the blackberry compote:

2 cups Fresh blackberries
2 tbsp White granulated sugar
1 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Lemon zest
1 Cinnamon stick
¼ cup Water
1 tbsp Cornstarch

For the frosting:

8 oz Cream cheese (softened)
½ cup Unsalted butter (softened)
3 cups Powdered sugar (sifted)
1 cup Black cocoa powder (sifted)
¼ tsp Salt
1 tsp Vanilla extract

For decoration:

Chocolate skulls
Fresh blackberries
Dried rose petals

Directions

Baking the Black Velvet Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two round cake pans.
In a large bowl, mix the sugar, flour, black cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients together until combined.
In another bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, hot coffee, canola oil, and vanilla extract together.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until you have a smooth batter.
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans.
Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Making the Blackberry Compote

In a small pot, combine the blackberries, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon stick, and water.
Cook over medium heat until the blackberries soften and break down, about 8-10 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with a little water to make a slurry. Add this to the pot and cook for another minute until thickened.
Remove from heat and let it cool.

Preparing the Black Cocoa Frosting

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, black cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla extract. Beat until fluffy and well combined.

Assembling the Cake

Once the cake layers have cooled completely, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of blackberry compote on top.
Put the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with black cocoa frosting.
Decorate the cake with chocolate skulls, more blackberries, and dried rose petals for a spooky look.

How to Serve Spooky Black Velvet Halloween Cake

Slice the cake into pieces and serve it on dessert plates. Pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream can make it extra delicious. This cake is perfect for Halloween gatherings, and its unique look will surely draw attention.

How to Store Spooky Black Velvet Halloween Cake

To store the cake, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 3 to 5 days. If you have leftover pieces, make sure to cover them well to keep them moist.

Tips to Make Spooky Black Velvet Halloween Cake

Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature for the best results, especially the eggs and buttermilk.
Sift the cocoa powder and flour to avoid any lumps in the batter.
When mixing the cake batter, be careful not to overmix; combine just until smooth.
For extra moist cake layers, you can brush a little simple syrup over the cake layers before adding frosting.

Variation

If you want to change things up, you can replace the black cocoa with regular cocoa powder for a milder flavor. You can also swap the blackberry compote for another fruit like raspberry or cherry, depending on your preference.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this cake in advance?
A: Yes, you can bake the cake layers a day or two in advance. Just wrap them tightly and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to frost and serve.

Q: Can I use different fruits for the compote?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite berries or even mix them up for a unique flavor.

Q: Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?
A: Yes, you can use gluten-free all-purpose flour. Make sure the rest of the ingredients, like baking powder and cocoa, are also gluten-free.

Conclusion

The Spooky Black Velvet Halloween Cake is a fantastic dessert for the spooky season. It is not only delicious but also eye-catching, making it an ideal treat for your Halloween celebrations. With its moody color and rich flavors, this cake will surely become a favorite among family and friends. Enjoy baking and sharing this delightful cake!