Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake Layers:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup fresh blackberry puree (strained of seeds)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Black gel food coloring (optional, for a deeper gothic look)
For the Blackberry Velvet Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup blackberry puree
- Black and purple food coloring (optional)
To Decorate:
- Fresh blackberries
- Dark chocolate shavings or gothic-inspired sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pans:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans. - Make the Cake Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, mix the buttermilk, oil, eggs, blackberry puree, and vanilla. Combine the wet and dry ingredients until just mixed. If you want that deep gothic look, stir in a few drops of black gel food coloring. - Bake the Cakes:
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely. - Make the Blackberry Velvet Frosting:
Cream together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Slowly add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then blend in the blackberry puree. If you love drama, add some black and purple gel food coloring for extra flair. - Assemble the Cake:
Once the cakes are cool, spread frosting between the layers, then all around the cake. Decorate with fresh blackberries, a dusting of chocolate shavings, or whatever gothic touches you like!
Notes
- For the deepest color, always use black gel food coloring instead of liquid dye; it won’t water down your batter.
- Strain the blackberry puree to remove seeds—no one likes a crunchy surprise in a velvety cake!
- Always cool your cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
- If you’re feeling creative, pipe gothic shapes or lace patterns on top for extra drama.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 481 kcal
- Sugar: 39 g
- Sodium: 556 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 92 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 69 mg