I’m bringing the Black Friday madness to your kitchen with a cake that’s got it all – the hustle, the great deals, and the dark chocolatey goodness! This Black Friday-themed cake is a rich, dark chocolate delight covered in black frosting and decked out with edible wafer paper money, chocolate coins, a doll-sized shopping cart, and a miniature TV as an homage to all your bargain-hunting adventures. If you like creative cakes, you’ll also love my Turkey-shaped cake for Thanksgiving.
It’s a cake that’s so fun, it might just make you forget about the long checkout lines and instead have you lining up for another slice! This cake is going to be the sweetest deal this Black Friday. Let’s bake, shop, and feast like there’s no tomorrow!
**This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Black Friday Cake Supplies & Ingredient Notes:
Dark Chocolate Cake
You could use cake mix or a homemade cake recipe. One box of chocolate cake mix will make a two-layer 9 inch round cake or two boxes to make a two-tiered cake like I did. If you use cake mix, you’ll also need black food coloring to make the cake dark. You can also use gluten free cakes for dietary restrictions.
I suggest using the recipe for dark chocolate cake I’ve included here to make a black cake without any food coloring needed. The trick to getting dark cake is using black dark chocolate cocoa powder. I bought mine at a bulk ingredient store.
Frosting
Use dark chocolate cocoa powder to make black frosting with no food coloring needed. If for some reason, you can’t find cocoa powder that’s black, you’ll need a black gel food coloring and try an immersion blender to get the darkest color possible.
Other Decorations
For the top and sides of this cake, I used this doll-sized shopping cart and flatscreen TV as well as edible wafer paper $100 bills and chocolate coins.
Cake decorating tools
To help you make this cake, you’ll also need some decorating tools like a cake board, cake spatula, piping bags, and a small open star piping tip like #21.
How To Make A Black Friday Cake
Step 1) Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line your cake pans. Either make a box of chocolate cake mix according to the package instructions then add black food coloring or follow the steps below.
Step 2) Bake
Double the recipe if you’re making a two-tier cake. If you’re sticking with two 9 inch round cake pans, this will be enough cake batter for you.
In a large bowl, sift together 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ¾ cups of dark cocoa powder, 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar, 1 ½ tsp of baking powder, 1 ½ tsp of baking soda, and 1 tsp of salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs, ¾ cup of buttermilk, ¼ cup of vegetable oil, and 2 tsp of pure vanilla extract until thoroughly blended.
Gently pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated.
Gradually introduce the hot water into the mixture while continuously stirring. The batter will have a thin consistency, but that’s perfectly fine.
Bake your cakes at 350°F (180°C) for 25-32 minutes.
Step 3) Make Frosting
To make black frosting without food coloring, use dark black cocoa powder. I used ⅔ cup of black cocoa powder, 2 cups of unsalted butter, 5 cups of powdered sugar, a pinch of sea salt, 2 tsp of vanilla and ⅓ cup of milk or heavy cream.
Mix your butter first, to soften it and then add the other ingredients. Blend them with a stand mixer or hand mixer on low until the ingredients start incorporating then switch to medium speed. If your frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If your frosting is too hard and won’t whip up, try adding more milk.
Step 4) Cool & Decorate
Fully cool your cake before you start decorating. Once it’s cooled to room temperature, I recommend wrapping it with plastic wrap and putting it in the fridge or freezer to ensure it’s completely cold.
Trim your cakes so they are flat then put one cake down on a cake board ; use a piping bag of black frosting to create a perimeter around the top of the cake, then fill the inside of the cake with milk chocolate frosting. You can just use the same black, dark chocolate frosting for the entire inside and outside of the cake, but this adds a variation in color and flavor.
Stack the next layer of cake and frost it then add your second tier if you’re building the same style of tall cake that I did.
Once your tiers are stacked, frost the entire outside of the cake. I usually use piping bags with no tip to get an even, thick layer all the way around my entire cake before smoothing it with a cake spatula.
I used a small open star piping tip like #21 to decorate the edges, top and bottom of my cake.
On the bottom layer of your cake, fasten chocolate coins with dabs of chocolate icing on the back, in any pattern you like.
On the top of your cake, grab your doll-sized shopping cart and flatscreen TV and add some wafer paper edible $100 bills behind it to create a shopping themed cake topper.
Tips For Making a Black Friday Cake
Can I use any type of cocoa powder for the cake?
Regular cocoa powder will result in brown frosting, dark chocolate cocoa powder is preferred for its black color, which complements the Black Friday theme. It creates a more intense chocolatey taste.
Do I have to use wafer paper money and chocolate coins for decorations?
No, you can get creative with your decorations! Feel free to use other items like mini shopping bags, toy figurines, or even small gift boxes to reflect your Black Friday shopping spirit.
What’s the best way to store the cake if I’m making it in advance?
To keep the cake fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make sure it’s well-covered to prevent it from drying out. Bring it to room temperature before serving.
How do I prevent my frosting from turning gray instead of black?
Dark chocolate cocoa powder should result in black frosting.
To avoid gray frosting, start with a chocolate-flavored base. If you’re using brown cocoa powder, it will help it appear darker. Gradually add black food coloring and be patient, as it can darken quickly. Gel food coloring works best for achieving a true black color.
Can I make this cake without dairy (vegan or lactose-free)?
Yes, you can adapt the cake and frosting to be dairy-free. Use dairy-free alternatives like plant-based milk and vegan butter. There are also vegan chocolate coins available for decoration. You can make vegan chocolate cakes by using dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate.
What if a two-tiered cake is too difficult?
You can make a sheet cake or just use two 9 inch cake rounds to make this delicious cake. You don’t have to make a tall cake to capture the spirit of a Black Friday cake.
Final Thoughts On Black Friday Themed Cake
Some might see Black Friday as a fake corporate holiday based on consumerism, but for many families, it’s a great opportunity to get their Christmas shopping done early and take advantage of sales that are better than at any time of year.
With this Black Friday-themed cake, you can embrace the excitement of a shopping extravaganza without even leaving your kitchen. It’s a lighthearted way to celebrate the spirit of this day, reminding us that amidst the chaos, there’s room for fun and creativity.
As you slice into this dark chocolate masterpiece, you’ll find a delicious escape from the hustle and bustle of the stores plus an opportunity to savor the sweetness of family, friends, and the holidays.
So, this Black Friday, whether you’re in the crowd of bargain hunters or cozied up at home, take a moment to enjoy this delightful cake, share laughter, and remember that there’s more to the season than just discounts and deals. Happy baking, happy shopping, and happy holidays!
Dark Chocolate Black Friday Cake
Equipment
- spoons
- bowls
- piping bags
- Small open star piping tip
- Electric mixer
- 2 9 inch round cake pans plus optional 5 inch round cake pan
- Parchment paper
- Spatula
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup black cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup hot water
Frosting Ingredients:
- 2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup milk more as needed
- 4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Step 1) Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line your cake pans. Either make a box of chocolate cake mix according to the package instructions then add black food coloring or follow the steps below.
Step 2) Bake
- Double the recipe if you’re making a two-tier cake. If you’re sticking with two 9 inch round cake pans, this will be enough cake batter for you.
- In a large bowl, sift together 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ¾ cups of dark cocoa powder, 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar, 1 ½ tsp of baking powder, 1 ½ tsp of baking soda, and 1 tsp of salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs, ¾ cup of buttermilk, ¼ cup of vegetable oil, and 2 tsp of pure vanilla extract until thoroughly blended.
- Gently pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated.
- Gradually introduce the hot water into the mixture while continuously stirring. The batter will have a thin consistency, but that’s perfectly fine.
- Bake your cakes at 350°F (180°C) for 25-32 minutes.
Step 3) Make Frosting
- To make black frosting without food coloring, use dark black cocoa powder. I used ⅔ cup of black cocoa powder, 2 cups of unsalted butter, 5 cups of powdered sugar, a pinch of sea salt, 2 tsp of vanilla and ⅓ cup of milk or heavy cream.
- Mix your butter first, to soften it and then add the other ingredients. Blend them with a stand mixer or hand mixer on low until the ingredients start incorporating then switch to medium speed. If your frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If your frosting is too hard and won’t whip up, try adding more milk.
Step 4) Cool & Decorate
- Fully cool your cake before you start decorating. Once it’s cooled to room temperature, I recommend wrapping it with plastic wrap and putting it in the fridge or freezer to ensure it’s completely cold.
- Trim your cakes so they are flat then put one cake down on a cake board ; use a piping bag of black frosting to create a perimeter around the top of the cake, then fill the inside of the cake with milk chocolate frosting. You can just use the same black, dark chocolate frosting for the entire inside and outside of the cake, but this adds a variation in color and flavor.
- Stack the next layer of cake and frost it then add your second tier if you’re building the same style of tall cake that I did.
- Once your tiers are stacked, frost the entire outside of the cake. Use piping bags with no tip to get an even, thick layer all the way around my entire cake before smoothing it with a cake spatula.
- I used a small open star piping tip like #21 to decorate the edges, top and bottom of my cake.
- On the bottom layer of your cake, fasten chocolate coins with dabs of chocolate icing on the back, in any pattern you like.
- On the top of your cake, grab your doll-sized shopping cart and flatscreen T.V and add some wafer paper edible $100 bills behind it to create a shopping themed cake topper.
