Description
Hey friends, Beau here from Feastical! These cupcakes aren’t just chocolate dyed black—they’re velvet-rich, with a cloud of vibrant orange frosting that practically glows. Perfect for Halloween parties, dessert tables, or a cozy fall night treat.
Ingredients
For the Black Velvet Cupcakes:
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1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (or cake flour for a slightly denser crumb)
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (natural for subtle chocolate undertones)
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1 tsp baking soda
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1/2 tsp baking powder
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1/2 tsp salt
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1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice/vinegar, let sit 5 min)
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1/2 cup vegetable oil (neutral, like canola or avocado)
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2 large eggs, room temperature
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1–2 tbsp black gel food coloring
For the Orange Frosting:
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
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4 cups powdered sugar, sifted if needed
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2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Orange gel food coloring, to desired intensity
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners (black or orange works beautifully).
2. Combine Dry Ingredients:
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients:
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In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Make the Batter:
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Pour wet into dry ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined; a few lumps are fine.
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Add black gel coloring gradually, mixing until uniform and deep black.
5. Fill and Bake:
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Divide batter evenly among liners, filling ~2/3 full.
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Bake 18–20 min, until tops spring back and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
6. Cool:
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Cool in pan 5 min, then transfer to a wire rack until completely cooled before frosting.
7. Make the Frosting:
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Beat butter 2–3 min until pale and fluffy.
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Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low until incorporated.
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Add vanilla and 2 tbsp cream, beat medium-high 2–3 min.
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Mix in orange gel coloring until uniform. Adjust consistency with more cream or sugar if needed.
8. Frost:
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Fill a piping bag fitted with your favorite tip (large star tip recommended). Pipe generous swirls onto cooled cupcakes.
Notes
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Display on a white platter to make colors pop.
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Add black or orange sprinkles for extra fun.
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Pair with milk, coffee, or dessert wine.
Nutrition
- Calories: 360 Cal
- Fat: 17 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Protein: 4 g