If you’re dreaming of a show-stopping dessert with a mysterious edge and a burst of berry flavor, the Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake is your answer. This cake is a feast for the senses, marrying deep, dark chocolate layers with a tangy blackberry swirl and a luxurious cream cheese frosting tinted with the natural jewel tones of fresh blackberry purée. Whether you’re planning a dramatic party centerpiece or treating yourself to a special weekend bake, this cake delivers rich flavor, striking color, and a touch of gothic elegance in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake comes from a handful of ingredients that blend together to create something truly spectacular. Each component plays a crucial role, from the plush cake layers to the velvety frosting and the dramatic garnishes. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters:
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure while keeping the crumb tender and delicate.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps lock in moisture for a plush, soft bite.
- Unsweetened dark cocoa powder (Dutch-processed preferred): Gives a deep, almost mysterious chocolate flavor and a rich, dark color.
- Baking soda: Ensures your cake rises beautifully and stays light.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Buttermilk (room temperature): Adds tang and keeps the cake extra tender and moist.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the crumb soft and prevents dryness, even days after baking.
- Large eggs (room temperature): Bind everything together and add richness.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the chocolate and blackberry notes with warmth and depth.
- White vinegar: Reacts with the baking soda for extra lift, and gives the classic velvet cake texture.
- Blackberry purée (strained): The star ingredient, lending natural color, tartness, and a hint of wild berry flavor.
- Hot water: Helps melt the cocoa powder for a smoother, more intense chocolate cake.
- Cream cheese (softened): The base of the frosting, making it tangy and creamy.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and a silky texture to the frosting.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and helps achieve that dreamy, spreadable consistency.
- Vanilla extract (for frosting): Adds a hint of warmth and rounds out the blackberry flavor.
- Pinch of salt (for frosting): Balances the sweetness and sharpens the flavors.
- Fresh blackberries (for garnish): Offer a burst of juicy color and a hint of tartness.
- Edible black or burgundy flowers: For a dramatic, gothic-inspired presentation.
- Dark chocolate shavings: Add texture and a little extra indulgence.
- Blackberry syrup drizzle: Takes the berry flavor over the top and adds a glossy finish.
How to Make Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Cake Pans and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy release. This simple prep step guarantees your cake layers will come out smooth and intact, ready for stacking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, dark cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This blend creates the foundation for the Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake’s signature dark, moist crumb.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and strained blackberry purée. Be sure your buttermilk and eggs are at room temperature for a smoother batter and even baking.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir gently until just combined. Gradually add the hot water, whisking until the batter is smooth and slightly thin. This helps the cocoa dissolve fully, making the cake layers extra rich and velvety.
Step 5: Bake the Cake Layers
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Slide them into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key here, as warm layers can melt the frosting!
Step 6: Make the Blackberry Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cake cools, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until fluffy and smooth. Add the blackberry purée, vanilla, and a pinch of salt, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar until you achieve your desired consistency—lush, creamy, and easy to spread. If you love a dramatic look, try adding a drop of black gel food coloring.
Step 7: Assemble and Decorate
Once the cake layers are completely cool, place one layer on your serving plate and cover the top with a generous amount of blackberry cream cheese frosting. Stack the second layer on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. For the ultimate Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake finish, garnish with fresh blackberries, edible flowers, chocolate shavings, or a glossy blackberry syrup drizzle.
How to Serve Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake
Garnishes
A Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake absolutely deserves a flair for the dramatic. Crown it with a tumble of fresh blackberries, a scattering of dark chocolate shavings, and a few edible black or burgundy blooms for true gothic romance. If you want to turn up the wow factor, a drizzle of glossy blackberry syrup adds both flavor and mystique.
Side Dishes
Serve your Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake alongside a pot of fragrant black tea or a glass of bold red wine for an elegant pairing. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side will mellow out the rich, tangy flavors and add an extra touch of indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dramatic dessert table, serve individual slices on dark plates with a little blackberry syrup artfully drizzled around. Or, try making mini cakes using the same recipe for a gothic tea party spread. You can even cut the layers into geometric shapes for a modern, moody twist on a layer cake classic.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cream cheese frosting means it’s best chilled, and it will stay moist and flavorful for up to four days. If you’re making it ahead, you can even frost the cake a day in advance—sometimes the flavors get even better overnight!
Freezing
Both the cake layers and the fully assembled Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake freeze beautifully. Wrap the layers tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing, or freeze the finished cake (without garnishes) for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving, and add fresh garnishes right before guests arrive for maximum impact.
Reheating
While this cake is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, if you’d like to take the chill off, simply let a slice rest on the counter for 20 to 30 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, as it can melt the cream cheese frosting and alter the cake’s texture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blackberries for the purée?
Absolutely! Thaw frozen blackberries and blend them into a purée, then strain out the seeds. The flavor will be just as vibrant, and it’s a handy option when fresh berries aren’t in season.
How can I make the cake layers even darker?
For a deep, gothic color, opt for Dutch-processed cocoa and consider adding a drop or two of black gel food coloring to the batter. This will intensify both the look and the mood of your Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake.
What’s the best way to get a smooth frosting?
Start with room temperature cream cheese and butter for the silkiest result. Beat them together thoroughly before adding other ingredients, and sift your powdered sugar to avoid lumps.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The cake will still be moist and delicious, though the texture may be slightly different.
Is it possible to make cupcakes instead?
Definitely. Divide the batter among cupcake liners and bake at 350°F for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Frost and decorate just as you would the full-sized Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dessert that’s as stunning as it is delicious, don’t hesitate to try the Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake. Its bold flavors, striking color, and decadent frosting make every bite feel like a special occasion. Gather your ingredients and treat yourself to a baking adventure you—and your lucky tasters—won’t soon forget!
Print
Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour (plus cooling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake is a decadent layered dessert combining moist dark cocoa cake infused with fresh blackberry purée and topped with a luscious blackberry cream cheese frosting. This elegant cake features a dramatic deep color and rich berry flavor, perfect for special occasions or anyone looking to impress with a visually stunning and delicious treat.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder (Dutch-processed preferred)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 cup blackberry purée (strained)
- 1/2 cup hot water
For the Blackberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup blackberry purée (strained)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For Garnish (optional):
- Fresh blackberries
- Edible black or burgundy flowers
- Dark chocolate shavings
- Blackberry syrup drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line them with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cakes after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, dark cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and cocoa throughout the flour.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and strained blackberry purée until fully combined and smooth.
- Make the Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined. Gradually stir in the hot water, which helps to thin out the batter and deepen the chocolate flavor, until the batter is smooth and slightly thin.
- Fill Pans and Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the cakes are fully baked.
- Cool the Cakes: Remove the pans from the oven and allow the cakes to cool for 10 minutes in the pans. Then, carefully transfer the cakes onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: Using a mixer, beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy. Add the blackberry purée, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, mixing to combine. Gradually add powdered sugar to reach your desired frosting consistency and sweetness.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cake layers are completely cool, spread a generous layer of frosting on top of one cake layer. Carefully stack the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting, smoothing it out evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Decorate the cake with fresh blackberries, edible black or burgundy flowers, dark chocolate shavings, or a drizzle of blackberry syrup to enhance the gothic aesthetic and add extra flavor.
Notes
- Strain the blackberry purée to remove seeds for a smooth texture in both batter and frosting.
- Adding a drop of black gel food coloring to the frosting can help deepen the dark, dramatic color.
- This cake pairs beautifully with a cup of black tea or a glass of red wine, enhancing its rich flavors.
- Ensure all cold ingredients like eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature to achieve the best cake texture.
- Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a smoother, less acidic chocolate flavor that complements the berries.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Gothic-Inspired, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
