This mouthwatering blackberry cake is moist, full of flavor, and easy to make. You only need 12 ingredients, and every single bite is heavenly. This cake is not only delicious but a real showstopper that makes it the perfect birthday or anniversary cake. By the way, have you tried my strawberry cake?
Photo instructions
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 tablespoon 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 â…› of the frosting over the cake. Layer with â…“ of the blackberries and spread â…› 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.
Expert tips for success
- If the frosting is too soft, add more powdered sugar to thicken it up. If it's too firm, add 1 teaspoon blackberry juice to the frosting.
- Allow the cake layers to cool completely before frosting. Otherwise, the cake will become unstable while frosting.
- After frosting, place the cake in the fridge for at least 4 hours to allow it to set chill properly.
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.
More cake recipes to try
- Black Forest Cake
- Pistachio Cake
- Raspberry Cake
- Strawberry Cake
- Peaches and Cream Cake
- Lemon Blueberry Cake
- Chocolate Cake
Recipe
Fresh Blackberry Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup canola or mild vegetable oil
- 1 ¾ cups granulated white sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- ¾ cup blackberry juice
Frosting and filling
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-4 tablespoon blackberry juice
- 3-4 cups fresh blackberries
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 tablespoon 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 â…› of the frosting over the cake. Layer with â…“ of the blackberries and spread â…› 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.
Notes
Video
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Andrea
This looks delicious!! Can I make the frosting without the cream cheese? Would I need to substitute the cheese with another ingredient? Thanks!
Sabine
Yes, you can make buttercream frosting instead. No need to add the cream cheese.
Hana
Do you make the blackberry juice in advance to this recipe or is it something we can buy at the store? Thank you!
Sabine
Most of the time I use storebought blackberry juice but both work well.