Luscious Blackberry Chocolate Cake

Luscious Blackberry Chocolate Cake

Moist chocolate cake + silky chocolate ganache + blackberry filling + blackberry buttercream + fresh blackberries

INGREDIENTS:

1️⃣ For the Chocolate Cake (3 layers, 20–22 cm)

2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour

¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 ½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk, room temp

½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil

2 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup (240 ml) hot coffee (or hot water)

2️⃣ Blackberry Filling (Compote)

3 cups (400 g) fresh or frozen blackberries

½ cup (100 g) sugar

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (slurry-

3️⃣ Chocolate Ganache (for frosting & layers)

300 g dark chocolate (50–70%)

300 ml heavy cream

2 tbsp butter (optional for shine)

4️⃣ Blackberry Buttercream (purple decorations)

1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened

3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar

4–6 tbsp blackberry puree (strained)

A few drops purple gel food coloring (optional but gives the deep color)

5️⃣ Topping

Fresh blackberries

Extra ganache or buttercream for piping

STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS:

1️⃣ Make the Chocolate Cake

1. Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).

2. Grease and line 3 cake pans (20–22 cm).

3. In a bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

4. Add buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

5. Slowly add hot coffee and mix until combined. Batter will be thin—perfect!

6. Divide batter into pans.

7. Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

8. Cool completely.

2️⃣ Prepare the Blackberry Filling

1. Add blackberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a saucepan.

2. Cook over medium heat until berries release juices.

3. Add the cornstarch slurry.

4. Cook until thickened (3–4 minutes).

5. Let cool completely.

3️⃣ Make the Ganache

1. Heat cream until steaming (not boiling).

2. Pour over chopped chocolate.

3. Let sit 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.

4. Add butter for shine (optional).

5. Let cool until thick enough to spread.

4️⃣ Blackberry Buttercream

1. Beat butter 3 minutes until creamy.

2. Add powdered sugar gradually.

3. Add blackberry puree a spoon at a time until smooth and purple.

4. Add gel color if needed for deep tone.

5. Chill 10 minutes before piping.

🎂 ASSEMBLY

1. Place the first cake layer.

2. Spread a thin layer of ganache.

3. Add blackberry filling.

4. Add second cake layer → repeat

5. Add third cake layer.

6. Frost entire cake with chocolate ganache.

7. Pipe purple blackberry buttercream swirls on top.

8. Decorate with fresh blackberries.

❤️ Enjoy your Luscious Blackberry Chocolate Cake!