Black Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream

This Black Velvet Cake combines deep cocoa richness with striking dark color and a moist, tender crumb. The batter blends traditional pantry staples—flour, sugar, buttermilk, and oil—with hot coffee to intensify the chocolate flavor. A touch of black food coloring creates the signature velvety shade. Finished with a smooth cream cheese buttercream, the cake delivers lush texture, balanced sweetness, and a dramatic appearance perfect for celebrations.

Ingredients

For the cake:

• All-purpose flour – 2½ cups (310g)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – ⅓ cup (35g)
• Baking soda – 1½ tsp
• Baking powder – 1 tsp
• Salt – ½ tsp
• Granulated sugar – 1¾ cups (350g)
• Eggs – 2 large
• Buttermilk – 1 cup (240ml)
• Vegetable oil – ¾ cup (180ml)
• Brewed coffee (hot) – ¾ cup (180ml)
• Vanilla extract – 1 tbsp
• Black food coloring – 1½ to 2 tsp (adjust to desired intensity)

For the frosting (Cream Cheese Buttercream):

• Unsalted butter (softened) – 1 cup (225g)
• Cream cheese (softened) – 1 cup (225g)
• Powdered sugar – 4 cups (500g)
• Vanilla extract – 1½ tsp
• Pinch of salt

Instructions