Grandpa Ben's Favorite Black Velvet Cake

Red Velvet and Anemones is launching in a few short days so to celebrate I am sharing Grandpa Ben Wallace and Detective Bill Harper's favorite cake. Black Velvet is a chocolate and coffee flavored Velvet Cake.

Black Velvet Cake


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray two 9-inch round pans with a nonstick cooking spray (or oil and flour) and set aside.

Cream together
1⁄2 cup vegetable shortening or butter
2 cups sugar plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs (one at a time)

Slowly add in
1 cup cold espresso (or 1 cup of instant espresso made with water)
1 cup buttermilk (or 7/8 cup milk with 2TBS cider vinegar)

Sift dry ingredients in slowly mixing until smooth
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon salt

Pour into prepared pans.
Bake in the preheated 350 degree F oven for 25 to 29 minutes for 9-inch round pans, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool ten minutes then remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Frost with icing of choice but I prefer Mocha Buttercream

Mocha Buttercream Frosting

1 cup butter softened

1 cup dark cocoa powder

1/3 cup powdered mocha espresso (International Foods Instant Coffee is good)

6 cups powdered sugar, sifted

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2/3 cup milk

Whip until fluffy but don’t overmix or it will separate (because buttercream is a moody b***), chill slightly before frosting but not too stiff.

Garnish with chocolate curls, coffee powder, and/or cake crumbs. May also drizzle with chocolate ganache or caramel syrup or both.