How do you make a Halloween Blackberry Velvet Cake from scratch?

To make a Halloween Blackberry Velvet Cake, you start with a black velvet sponge made using cocoa, black cocoa, and buttermilk for a tender crumb. Fresh blackberry puree is folded into the batter for flavor and a hint of purple. The cake is layered with tangy cream cheese frosting and blackberry compote, then decorated with fresh berries or spooky toppers.

What’s the difference between black velvet cake and red velvet cake?

Red velvet cake uses regular cocoa powder and red food coloring for its signature look, while black velvet cake incorporates black cocoa powder for a deeper flavor and a naturally dark hue. In this Halloween version, blackberry puree adds fruity brightness and a gothic purple tint.

Can I make a vegan Halloween Blackberry Velvet Cake?

Yes. Replace eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based milk mixed with vinegar instead of buttermilk, and swap cream cheese frosting for a vegan cream cheese alternative. The blackberry puree and cocoa keep the flavor and color just as rich.

How do I get the darkest color for my black velvet cake?

For the deepest color, use a combination of black cocoa powder and Dutch-process cocoa. You can enhance the shade with a small amount of black gel food coloring, but the cocoa itself will provide a rich, natural base color.

What decorations work best for a gothic Halloween cake?

Elegant decorations include fresh blackberries, edible glitter, chocolate spiderwebs, or sugar skulls. Present the cake on a dark platter with candles for a moody, gothic effect.

Halloween Blackberry Velvet Cake – Elegant & Spooky Dessert

Name: Halloween Blackberry Velvet Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12 slices
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup sugar; 1/2 cup cocoa powder; 1/4 cup black cocoa powder; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 cup buttermilk; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup blackberry puree; 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries; 1/2 cup butter (softened); 8 oz cream cheese; 3 cups powdered sugar

Description

A dramatic Halloween Blackberry Velvet Cake with black cocoa sponge, blackberry compote filling, and tangy cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup black cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup blackberry puree

1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries

1/2 cup butter (softened)

8 oz cream cheese

3 cups powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.

2. Simmer blackberries with sugar and lemon until thickened. Blend into puree.

3. Whisk flour, cocoa powders, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.

4. In another bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla.

5. Stir in blackberry puree, then gradually fold in dry ingredients.

6. Divide batter between pans and bake for 30–35 minutes.

7. Cool completely before frosting.

8. Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla.

9. Layer cake with frosting and blackberry compote.

10. Frost outside and decorate with blackberries or Halloween toppers.

Notes

For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flax eggs and use plant-based cream cheese.

Black cocoa adds depth of color; you can use more for a darker sponge.

Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 380
Sugar: 36g
Sodium: 220mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 55mg