Black Velvet Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease 3 (8- or 9-inch) round cake pans with shortening; lightly flour.
• In large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. In another large bowl, beat oil, buttermilk, eggs, food color, vinegar and vanilla with electric mixer on low speed just until blended. Gradually add flour mixture; beat 2 minutes on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pans.
• Bake 23 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Brush off all loose crumbs from cake layers. Place 1 cake layer, rounded side down, on serving plate; spread with 1 cup frosting. Top with second cake layer, rounded side up. Spread with 1 cup frosting. Top with third cake layer. Spread very thin layer of frosting on side to seal in crumbs. Spread remaining frosting on side and top of cake. Cut licorice into pieces. Pile licorice on top of cake. Decorate bottom edge of cake with jelly beans.

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
• Mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Whisk the buttermilk, oil, sour cream, egg, espresso powder and vanilla in another large bowl.
• Add the flour mixture to the buttermilk mixture and whisk until just incorporated. Divide the batter among the cupcake liners. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 16 to 18 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove the cupcakes and let cool completely on a wire rack, about 30 minutes.
• For the frosting: Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Spread the frosting on top of the cooled cupcakes then dust with a little black cocoa powder.

Steps:

• Pour the Champagne into a chilled flute. Slowly add the Guinness, pouring it over the upside-down bowl of a small spoon if you wish to achieve a layered effect. Otherwise, just pour the Champagne and then the beer, and gently stir. It will taste good either way.

Steps:

• Chill 4 highball glasses.
• Divide the champagne among the glasses. Spoon the stout over the champagne to create a separation. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Pour the stout and champagne into a pint glass and serve.

Steps:

• 1 Pour the Champagne into a flute or other tall glass.
• 2 Pour the Guinness on top. (Guinness is heavier. If you mix it the other way around, it won't combine evenly and will need to be stirred.)

Steps:

• Half fill Champagne flutes with Guinness, then slowly top them up with chilled Champagne.

Steps:

• Fill a champagne flute halfway with the Guinness. Carefully pour the sparkling wine over the back of a spoon to fill the rest of the glass.