Black Velvet Cake

Tired of Red Velvet? Maybe black is the new red...

2 1/4 cups cake flour

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process!)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla bean paste (substitute an equal amount of pure vanilla extract for the paste!)

3 tablespoons Pero
1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup half & half
1-2 tablespoons black food coloring (depends on how dark you'd like your cake to be!)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

Chocolate marshmallow frosting
one 7-ounce jar marshmallow creme (also known as fluff!)

2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, melted and slightly cooled

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2-3 tablespoons heavy cream, depending on how thick you'd like your frosting to be

2 T black food coloring
sprinkles or nonpareils, for decorating (optional)


Combine cake ingredients, place in pan(s) and cook, time depending on the size of your pans. Cool, then make the frosting. Enjoy.