Ever tried a cake that looks like it belongs on the red carpet? Enter the Black and Gold Cake—your taste buds will think they hit the VIP lounge. Want to impress everyone in 3…2…1?
Why This Recipe Is Awesome
This Black and Gold Cake is the ultimate showstopper—rich dark cocoa layers, silky vanilla buttercream, and edible gold shimmer for the extra oomph. It’s easy enough for beginners but classy enough for any fancy bash. Guests will be like, “Did you seriously bake that?” with a side of wow.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Âľ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (swap with carob for a nut-free version)
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1Âľ cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (or almond milk)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–4 tbsp milk
Decoration:
- Edible gold dust or spray
- Optional: black fondant cutouts or chocolate shards
Tools & Kitchen Gadgets Used
- 2 × 8″ round cake pans
- Mixing bowls (various sizes)
- Electric mixer (hand or stand)
- Spatula & offset spatula
- Piping bag & tip (optional for fancy buttercream work)
- Cooling racks
- Paintbrush for edible gold dust (Amazon link here)
- Gold food-safe spray or powder (Amazon link here)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat & prep. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour pans—keep it slick.
- Mix dry. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder/soda, and salt.
- Blend wet. In another bowl, beat sugar, eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine. Slowly fold dry mix into wet. Add boiling water and stir—it’ll thin, that’s okay.
- Bake. Divide batter, bake 25–30 mins. Toothpick should come out clean.
- Cool. Let cakes chill 10 mins in pan, then transfer to racks.
- Buttercream time. Beat butter until fluffy, gradually add sugar, vanilla, and milk to your desired spreadability.
- Assemble. Level cakes, fill with buttercream, stack, and coat whole cake.
- Glam it up. Paint/spray edible gold strategically—edges, top, patterns. Add fondant or chocolate décor.
Calories & Nutritional Info
- Approx. 450 kcal per slice (1/12 cake)
- Notes: Contains gluten, dairy, and eggs. Can swap milk for almond/coconut to lighten.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too much water in batter? It should be pourable—not soup.
- Skipping pan prep? Cake may stick like clingy ex.
- Gold dust overload? A little goes a long way—go decaf, not disco ball.
- Buttercream too stiff? Add milk 1 tsp at a time to loosen.
Variations & Customizations
- Keto version: Use almond flour blend + powdered erythritol; swap sugar.
- Spicy mocha twist: Add 1 tsp instant espresso and ½ tsp cinnamon to cake mix.
- Gluten‑free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour; watch texture—might want an extra egg.
FAQ
- What is black and gold cake? A dramatic, cocoa-rich, gold-decorated celebration cake.
- Can I omit gold dust? Totally—chocolate shards or berries still glam it up.
- Is it child-friendly? Yes! Just skip the edible gold spray if you’re worried.
- How long does it stay fresh? 3–4 days at room temperature, cover with cake dome.
- Can I freeze it? Yep—double wrap layers, freeze up to 1 month.
- Any dairy-free tweaks? Use vegan butter + plant-based milk in buttercream.
- Can I tune the flavor? Add extracts like almond or liqueur for a boozy twist.
Final Thoughts
This Black and Gold Cake isn’t just a dessert—it’s a statement. Whether celebrating a milestone or just flexing your baking chops, this cake brings the glam. 📸 Snap a pic, tag your baking squad, and go ahead—declare yourself cake royalty. FYI, store‑bought ain’t got nothing on this!