Make the cake batter

• Cream the softened butter with the sugar until pale and fluffy.
• Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
• Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt, then mix.
• Pour in the milk and mix to a smooth batter.
• Add the black food coloring and mix until the batter is evenly black.

Bake the cake

• Pour the batter into a greased cake pan.
• Bake at 180°C until a skewer comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool completely on a cooling rack.

Decorate the black cat

• Tint the buttercream black.
• Cover the cooled cake with a smooth layer of black buttercream.
• Pipe the cat ears, eyes and whiskers with the piping bag.
• Chill the cake so the frosting sets before serving.