This mouthwatering blackberry cake is moist, full of flavor, and easy to make. You only need 12 ingredients, and every single bite is heavenly.
I am so excited to share with you my directions on how to make this beautiful layer cake with my step-by-step instructions. I will provide you will several photos to help you along the way too.
If you are still craving blackberries after trying this recipe, check out my blackberry pie as well.
Why this recipe works:
- This layered cake is made with fresh blackberries to give you an explosion of flavor.
- You only need 12 ingredients.
- The cream cheese frosting is smooth and rich and a perfect fit for the blackberries.
- It is a major crowd-pleaser.
- It's perfect for all occasions, including birthday parties, weddings, and barbecues.
Photo instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line the bottom and the sides of two 8" (20cm) baking pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt and stir to combine. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl with a stand or a handheld mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat butter, oil, and sugar on medium speed until creamy for about 2 minutes.
Add 1 egg at the time and mix until fully incorporated.
Alternately add dry ingredients, milk, dry ingredients, blackberry juice, and end with dry ingredients. Stir just until combined.
Divide batter into the two prepared baking pans equally. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Don't overbake or the cake will be dry. Let cool to room temperature.
After the cakes have cooled, prepare the frosting. In a large mixing bowl, using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, whisk butter on medium speed until creamy.
Add cream cheese and whisk until smooth and combined.
Sift in powdered sugar and stir until well combined and creamy.
Add 1 tbsp blackberry juice at the time and stir until smooth and creamy. The frosting should be creamy but firm enough to frost the cake with an offset spatula.
If the frosting is too soft, add more powdered sugar. If the frosting is too firm, add more blackberry juice.
Cut a thin layer off the tops of your cakes to create a flat surface if needed. Then cut each cake layer in half horizontally. You will have 4 layers.
Place one layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread about ⅛ of the frosting over the cake. Layer with ⅓ of the blackberries and spread ⅛ of the frosting over the blackberries. Repeat two more times.
Place the last layer on top and lightly frost the outside and the sides with the remaining frosting. Chill in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Before serving, decorate with fresh berries to your preference.
Top tips
- Don't overbake the cake or it will become dry.
- Allow it to cool completely to room temperature before frosting.
- If the frosting is too soft, add more powdered sugar to thicken it up. Add 1 tsp blackberry juice to frosting if it's too firm.
- After frosting, place in the fridge for 4 hours in an airtight container.
Substitutions and variations
Blackberries
You can make this recipe with different fruit. Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries would all work perfectly. Follow the same directions and simply substitute the blackberries for the fruit you prefer.
Eggs
You can easily substitute applesauce, mashed banana, or yogurt in place of the eggs. You should use ¼ cup (62.5g) of whichever ingredient you are replacing each egg with.
Cupcakes
You can turn this recipe into cupcakes. Instead of baking in two round 8 inch pans, you would use muffin tins or ramekins instead. You will need to adjust your baking time to around 15 minutes.
Then pipe the frosting on top and bring to birthday parties, weddings, or other events!
FAQ's
Why did my cake layers turn out hard?
If the layers turned out hard, it could be due to a couple of reasons. The first reason could simply be that your oven is not heating to the correct temperature.
It may be extra hot, which causes the layered cake to become hard and dry. Use a thermometer for the oven and test it to see if it's accurate. If it isn't then make adjustments, so it is baked at 350 degrees F.
The next reason could be because you overmixed the ingredients. Many people do this because you want to make sure the ingredients are well mixed; however, this can cause a dense cake.
Whenever baking any cake, you should only mix until the ingredients are just combined.
Storage
It will last around 3 days, but it needs to be kept in an airtight container. Also, it's essential to store it in the refrigerator instead of on the counter. Otherwise, it will go bad due to the cream cheese icing. Plus, it just tastes better when it's cold.
Freezing
Wrap the cake in plastic wrap, rather tightly. This acts as double protection from the freezer. Then after you wrapped it, place it in an airtight container. It will freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Recipe and Video
Blackberry Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (360g)
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
- ½ cup canola or mild vegetable oil (120ml)
- 1 ¾ cups granulated white sugar (350g)
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup milk (180ml)
- ¾ cup blackberry juice (180ml)
Frosting and filling
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature (340g)
- 1 ½ cups cream cheese, room temperature (340g)
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted (360g)
- 2-4 tbsp blackberry juice (30-60ml)
- 3-4 cups fresh blackberries (450-600g)
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line the bottom and the sides of two 8" (20cm) baking pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt and stir to combine. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl with a stand or handheld mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat butter, oil, and sugar on medium speed until creamy for about 2 minutes.
- Add 1 egg at the time and mix until fully incorporated.
- Alternately add dry ingredients, milk, dry ingredients, blackberry juice, and end with dry ingredients. Stir just until combined.*
- Divide batter into the two prepared baking pans equally. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Don't overbake or it will be dry. Let cool to room temperature.
Frosting
- In a large mixing bowl, using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, whisk butter on medium speed until creamy.
- Add cream cheese and whisk until smooth and combined.
- Sift in powdered sugar and stir until well combined and creamy.
- Add 1 tbsp blackberry juice at the time and stir until smooth and creamy. The frosting should be creamy but firm enough to frost the cake with an offset spatula. If the frosting is too soft, add more powdered sugar. If the frosting is too firm, add more blackberry juice.
Assembling
- Cut a thin layer off the tops of your cakes to create a flat surface if needed. Then cut each cake layer in half horizontally. You will have 4 layers.
- Place one layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread about ⅛ of the frosting over the cake. Layer with ⅓ of the blackberries and spread ⅛ of the frosting over the blackberries. Repeat two more times.
- Place last cake layer on top and lightly frost the outside and the sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Chill in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- Before serving, decorate with fresh berries to your preference. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Video
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Notes
Blackberry juice Use blackberry puree instead of blackberry juice for more intense blackberry flavor.
Different fruit You can make this recipe with different fruit. Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries would all work perfectly. Follow the same directions and simply substitute the blackberries for the fruit you prefer.
Eggs You can easily substitute applesauce, mashed banana, or yogurt in place of the eggs. You should use ¼ cup (62.5g), of whichever ingredient you are replacing with, for each egg.
Top tips
- Don't overbake the cake or it will become dry.
- Allow it to cool completely to room temperature before frosting.
- If the frosting is too soft, add more powdered sugar to thicken it up. Add 1 tsp blackberry juice to frosting if it's too firm.
- After frosting, place in the fridge for 4 hours in an airtight container.
Nutrition
This looks delicious!! Can I make the frosting without the cream cheese? Would I need to substitute the cheese with another ingredient? Thanks!
Yes, you can make buttercream frosting instead. No need to add the cream cheese.
Do you make the blackberry juice in advance to this recipe or is it something we can buy at the store? Thank you!
Most of the time I use storebought blackberry juice but both work well.