Description

The Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake is a luxurious, visually striking dessert with dark chocolate layers infused with blackberry purée, filled and frosted with rich blackberry buttercream. Deep, velvety, and hauntingly beautiful, this cake delivers bold flavor and gothic elegance in every bite.

Ingredients

For the blackberry purée:

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp lemon juice

For the cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (dark/Dutch-processed preferred)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup blackberry purée (from above)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup hot coffee or water (to intensify the chocolate)

For the blackberry buttercream:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3-4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup blackberry purée (strained for a smooth texture)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Optional: black gel food coloring for a deeper, gothic hue

Optional toppings:

Fresh blackberries
Edible black glitter or shimmer dust
Dark chocolate shavings or ganache drip

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Instructions

Make the blackberry purée:
In a small saucepan, cook blackberries, sugar, and lemon juice over medium heat until berries break down and mixture thickens slightly (5–7 minutes). Mash and strain if desired. Let cool.
Make the cake:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
In a bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate bowl, mix sugar, eggs, oil, vanilla, buttermilk, and blackberry purée. Gradually add dry ingredients. Stir in hot coffee or water until smooth.
Divide batter between pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
Make the buttercream:
Beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, blackberry purée, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and creamy. Add food coloring if desired for a dramatic, dark finish.
Assemble the cake:
Level cooled cakes if needed. Spread buttercream between layers and over the top and sides. Chill slightly to set.
Decorate:
Add blackberries, chocolate shavings, or glitter for an elegant gothic look. Optional: drip ganache around the edges for extra flair.

Notes

For more drama, use black cocoa powder and black food coloring.

The cake layers can be made ahead and frozen before decorating.

Buttercream can be tinted deeper with gel color or dark cocoa for a near-black finish.