Home » Cakes & Pies » Black Velvet Cake

Black Velvet Cake

Name: Black Velvet Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 315 min
Ingredients: Cake:; 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder ([i.e. Hershey's Special Dark]); 1 3.6 oz box chocolate or chocolate fudge instant pudding mix; 2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 cup salted butter (softened); 2 cups light brown sugar; 2 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp pure almond extract; 4 large eggs; 2 cup whole buttermilk; Ganache:; 1 10 oz package dark chocolate chips; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/4 tsp pure almond extract; grated chocolate for garnishing (optional)

January 5, 2014 by Melissa 38 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This fudgy Black Velvet Cake is a made-from-scratch rich dark chocolate cake. It's topped with a cascade of warm dark chocolate ganache transforming it into a chocolate cake lovers dream dessert.

Black Velvet Cake With A Dark Chocolate Ganache

Easy Black Velvet Cake Recipe

Do you love chocolate cake? When indulging in dark chocolate, there's a little less guilt due to the fact that it's rich in antioxidants. At least, that's what I tell myself each time I make this black velvet cake drizzled with a dark chocolate ganache. When serving this cake expect to make friends. Lots and lots of chocolate loving friends. This cake is made from scratch so, how do you make Black Velvet Cake? First, you whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and pudding mix. After creaming together brown sugar and butter, add the eggs. Alternately add the sifted dry ingredients with the buttermilk, then spread the cake batter into a greased Bunt pan. Bake it until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean, then cool and glaze per the recipe.

ingredients for making dark chocolate cake

How to Make the Best Black Velvet Cake Recipe

What is black velvet? It's a deep dark chocolate cake minus the food coloring found in a red velvet cake. It features a more intense chocolate flavor and one that's been rotating through my kitchen for many years.

Ingredients you'll need to make homemade Black Velvet Cake: All purpose flour, dark cocoa powder (i.e. Hershey's Dark or similar) baking soda, salt, one box instant chocolate pudding mix, light brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, large eggs and buttermilk. You'll also need a chocolate bar for grating on top to garnish. (Hershey's candy bar or a chocolate baking bar)
To make the Chocolate Ganache you'll need: Dark chocolate baking chips, heavy cream and almond extract.
Kitchen tools you'll need: A stand mixer or a hand mixer, large bowl, medium bowl, microwave safe bowl, whisk, measuring cups and spoons, 12-14 cup Bundt pan and cooling rack.
I highly recommend that you go the extra mile and use dark chocolate or Dutch process cocoa powder for the deep rich flavor it gives to this cake.
Why use chocolate pudding? It lends a tender crumb to the cake batter. You can omit it, but it does make a difference in the flavor.
I often serve this dark chocolate bundt cake with a dollop of whipped cream on the side, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. That leaves room for a maraschino cherry for top.
To gild the lily further, I like to make extra warm ganache to drizzle on the cake after it makes it to the dessert plate.
If you'd like to prepare this cake in advance it freezes beautifully, too. When doing that, wait to drizzle with the ganache until it's thawed properly in the fridge overnight, just before serving.
Grated chocolate makes it pretty but, it's completely optional. Use a citrus grater to grate a chocolate candy bar on top, it's as simple as that.
Store glazed Black Velvet Cake chilled in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also freeze this cake for up to 2 months.
When freezing, wait to glaze the cake and garnish just before serving.

More Southern Style Cake Recipes to Make

Hummingbird Cake was developed here in my neck of the woods by Mrs. Wiggins from Greensboro North Caroline.
Pig Pickin' Cake is popular at pig roasts and barbecues, hence the name.
Double Fudge Mississippi Mud Cake is always a crowd favorite.
Dubbed Million Dollar Pound Cake by Southern Living, it loves up to its name.
Buttered Rum Cake is a holiday must-make.
Italian Cream Cake is a special dessert for a special occasion.
Rhubarb Cake from The Recipe Rebel.

Thanks for visiting come back soon!

Disclosure ~ If a purchase is made using one of the affiliate links on this website we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

Helpful Kitchen Items:

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

5 from 3 votes