Black Velvet Oreo Cake Recipe

The Best Black Velvet Oreo Cake Recipe for Chocolate Lovers

Indulgent black velvet oreo cake upgrades ordinary dessert into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Rich chocolate depths merge with luxurious texture, creating a decadent masterpiece that tantalizes taste buds.

Smooth layers promise an unexpected sensory journey through velvety goodness.

Dark cocoa undertones whisper sophistication, elevating this classic treat beyond traditional boundaries.

Creamy frosting complements intense chocolate notes, weaving complex flavor profiles into each delectable bite.

Unexpected ingredient combinations spark curiosity and challenge conventional baking expectations.

Professional bakers and home kitchen enthusiasts alike will find this recipe both inspiring and achievable.

Why Black Velvet Oreo Cake Deserves the Spotlight

  • Indulge in Dramatic Darkness: This Black Velvet Oreo Cake offers a stunning midnight-black appearance that makes an incredible visual statement at any gathering, breaking away from traditional red velvet cake with its rich, deep color.
  • Celebrate Texture Paradise: Experience a luxurious combination of soft, tender cake layers complemented by creamy Oreo-studded frosting, creating a delightful contrast between smooth cake and crunchy cookie pieces that dance on your palate.
  • Master Baking Simplicity: Despite looking complex, this recipe uses straightforward techniques like alternating ingredient additions and basic mixing methods, making it accessible for bakers of intermediate skill levels who want to create a show-stopping dessert without advanced pastry training.
  • Quick Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: With a total preparation and baking time around 1.5 hours, this cake delivers maximum impact with minimal effort, perfect for birthdays, potlucks, or weekend celebrations where you want to impress without spending all day in the kitchen.

Must-Have Ingredients for Black Velvet Oreo Cake

Cake Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour: Fine, all-purpose flour for the cake's structure and texture.
  • Baking Soda: Essential leavening agent for cake's rise and lightness.
  • Black Cocoa: Deep, dark cocoa for rich black color and intense chocolate flavor.
  • Salt: Enhances overall cake flavor and balances sweetness.
  • Espresso Powder: Boosts chocolate depth and adds subtle coffee undertone.
Cake Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter, Vegetable Oil: Provides moisture and rich, tender crumb.
  • Sugar: Sweetens and helps create soft cake texture.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds structure to the cake.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor enhancement.
  • Vinegar: Activates baking soda and creates tender crumb.
  • Buttermilk: Adds moisture and slight tanginess to the cake.
Frosting and Decoration:
  • Butter: Cold, high-quality for smooth, creamy frosting base.
  • Cream Cheese: Provides tangy, rich frosting flavor.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens frosting.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates silky, spreadable frosting consistency.
  • Oreo Cookies: Crushed for texture and decorative crunch.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth to frosting flavor.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness in frosting.

How to Bake a Rich Black Velvet Oreo Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Black cocoa powder
  • Salt
  • Espresso powder

Set the mixture aside.

Step 3: Create Butter Base

Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment, blend butter and vegetable oil until smooth. Add sugar and mix for 2 minutes.

Step 4: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Add eggs one at a time, then mix in:
  • Vanilla extract
  • Vinegar

Blend until fully combined.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Alternately add:
  • Half of the dry ingredients
  • Half of the buttermilk

Mix each addition just until incorporated.

Step 6: Prepare Cake Pans

Spray 3 8-inch cake pans with nonstick baking spray. Divide batter equally among pans.

Step 7: Bake the Cake

Bake for 30-33 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 8: Cool the Cakes

Cool cakes in pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: Prepare Frosting

In a stand mixer, cream:
  • Cold butter
  • Cream cheese

Until smooth.

Step 10: Complete Frosting

Gradually add:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Heavy cream
  • Vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Mix well between each addition.

Step 11: Add Oreo Crumble

Fold crushed Oreos into the frosting.

Step 12: Assemble the Cake

Place first cake layer on a cake stand. Spread frosting. Repeat with remaining layers.

Step 13: Final Frosting

Chill the assembled cake for 30 minutes. Apply final layer of frosting.

Tips to Nail the Texture and Flavor Every Time

  • Create Cocoa Depth: Use black cocoa for an intense, rich color and deeper chocolate flavor that sets this cake apart from traditional chocolate cakes.
  • Ensure Smooth Mixing: Add eggs one at a time and mix thoroughly to prevent lumps and create a silky, consistent batter that bakes evenly.
  • Control Moisture Perfectly: Don't overmix the batter – stop mixing as soon as ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender and prevent a tough texture.
  • Crush Oreos Strategically: Crush Oreos into different sizes for the frosting – some fine crumbs and some larger chunks create interesting texture and visual appeal.
  • Chill for Clean Frosting: Refrigerate the cake between frosting layers to help set the cream cheese frosting and make final decoration easier and more precise.

Keeping Black Velvet Cake Fresh and Moist Later

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover Black Velvet Oreo Cake in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap. Carefully place inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping the cake fresh and moist.
  • Freezing: Slice the cake and wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Reheating: Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying. For warm slices, microwave each piece for 10-15 seconds, ensuring the cake remains soft and delicious without drying out.

What Tastes Great with Black Velvet Oreo Cake

  • Pair with Bold Espresso: Complement the cake's rich black cocoa and espresso powder notes with a strong, freshly brewed espresso or dark roast coffee. The intense coffee flavor will enhance the cake's deep chocolate undertones.
  • Match with Creamy Vanilla Milkshake: Balance the cake's decadent texture with a classic vanilla milkshake. The smooth, sweet drink will provide a cool contrast to the rich, dense Oreo-studded frosting.
  • Serve with Raspberry Sorbet: Cut through the cake's richness with a tart raspberry sorbet. The bright, tangy fruit flavor will create a delightful palate-cleansing effect and add a refreshing element to the dessert experience.
  • Accompany with Salted Caramel Liqueur: For adult gatherings, pair the cake with a smooth salted caramel liqueur. The sweet and salty notes will beautifully complement the chocolate and Oreo flavors, creating a luxurious dessert pairing.

Fun Ideas to Change Up This Oreo Dessert

  • Chocolate Lover's Dream: Enhance the cake by adding a rich chocolate ganache layer between cake layers and topping with chocolate shavings for extra indulgence.
  • Espresso Crunch Variation: Mix finely ground espresso beans into the frosting and sprinkle chocolate-covered espresso beans on top for an intense coffee flavor profile.
  • Cookies and Cream Celebration: Replace traditional Oreos with different flavored Oreo varieties like mint, peanut butter, or golden Oreos to create unique taste combinations in the frosting and decoration.
  • Nutty Black Velvet Edition: Incorporate chopped toasted almonds or pecans between cake layers and around the exterior for added texture and nutty complexity.
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Black Velvet Oreo Cake Recipe

Black Velvet Oreo Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Luxurious Black Velvet Oreo Cake delivers chocolate magic with intense dark layers and creamy Oreo frosting. Chocolate lovers will dive into rich, velvety decadence that combines classic cake artistry with playful cookie crunch.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (710 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups (400 g) sugar
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
  • 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup (75 g) black cocoa
  • ½ cup (113 g) butter, room temperature

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Additional Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar

Oreo Frosting Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces (340 g) cream cheese, cold
  • ¾ cup (170 g) butter, cold
  • 6 cups (720 g) powdered sugar
  • 23 tablespoons (30–45 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 8 oreo cookies, crushed
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blend flour, baking soda, black cocoa powder, salt, and ground espresso powder. Set this dry ingredient mixture aside.
  3. Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment, whip butter and vegetable oil until achieving a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
  4. Gradually incorporate granulated sugar into the butter mixture, continuing to mix for approximately two minutes until well integrated.
  5. Introduce eggs individually to the mixture, ensuring complete incorporation after each addition. Follow with vanilla extract and white vinegar, mixing until ingredients are uniformly combined.
  6. Alternate adding half of the prepared dry ingredients and half of the buttermilk to the wet mixture, gently mixing after each addition until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  7. Generously coat three 8-inch (20-centimeter) cake pans with non-stick baking spray, distributing batter evenly among the pans.
  8. Place cake pans in the preheated oven and bake for 30-33 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake’s center emerges clean.
  9. Allow cakes to cool within the pans for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature.
  10. For the frosting, use a stand mixer to blend cold unsalted butter and cream cheese until achieving a smooth texture.
  11. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly between each addition to prevent lumps.
  12. Introduce heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a small pinch of salt to the frosting, mixing until achieving a light, creamy consistency.
  13. Gently fold crushed Oreo cookies into the prepared frosting.
  14. Assemble the cake by positioning the first cake layer on a cake stand, spreading a generous layer of frosting.
  15. Repeat the layering process with remaining cake layers, ensuring even frosting distribution.
  16. Refrigerate the assembled cake for 30 minutes to set the frosting.
  17. Apply a final, smooth layer of frosting to complete the Black Velvet Oreo Cake.

Notes

  • Master the black cocoa trick for an intense, rich dark color that sets this cake apart from standard chocolate desserts.
  • Combine wet and dry ingredients carefully to prevent overmixing, which can lead to a tough cake texture.
  • Espresso powder enhances chocolate flavor without adding coffee taste, creating deeper, more complex notes.
  • Use cold butter and cream cheese for frosting to ensure a smooth, stable consistency that spreads beautifully.
  • Chill the cake before final frosting to help stabilize layers and create clean, professional-looking edges.
  • Crush Oreos finely for even distribution throughout frosting, guaranteeing delicious cookie bits in every bite.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 612 kcal
  • Sugar: 58 g
  • Sodium: 280 mg
  • Fat: 38 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 64 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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