Description
A velvety Gothic-inspired cake with rich chocolate layers, luscious blackberry filling, and creamy whipped topping. Elegant, dramatic, and delicious.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour (240 g)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300 g)
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (75 g)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil (180 ml)
1 cup buttermilk (240 ml)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup hot water (120 ml)
For the Blackberry Filling:
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries (225 g)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g)
2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Cream Topping:
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream (360 ml)
1/4 cup powdered sugar (30 g)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Garnishes:
Fresh blackberries, edible flowers, dark chocolate shavings, cocoa powder dusting
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch or 9-inch pans.
2. Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Whisk eggs, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla in another bowl.
4. Combine wet and dry mixtures, then stir in hot water.
5. Divide batter into pans and bake 30–35 minutes. Cool completely.
6. Cook blackberries with sugar until juicy. Add cornstarch slurry and lemon juice. Stir until thick. Cool fully.
7. Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
8. Layer cake with blackberry filling. Top with whipped cream and garnish as desired.
9. Chill cake for 1 hour before slicing.
Notes
Frozen blackberries must be thawed and drained before use.
Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the crumb tender.
Chill cakes before assembly for easier handling.
Cake keeps 3 days in the fridge or up to 2 months in the freezer (unassembled).
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Gothic-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
