Description
A strikingly beautiful dessert that balances rich cocoa flavor with a moist texture, perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup black food coloring gel
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1/2 cup blackberry preserves
- Fresh blackberries (for garnish)
- Dark chocolate shavings (for garnish)
- Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
- Mix the dry ingredients: sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine the wet ingredients in another bowl: whisk together buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in boiling water and black food coloring gel until the batter is smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks.
- Prepare the frosting: Beat softened butter until creamy, gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, then mix in heavy cream and vanilla extract.
- Assemble the cake by spreading blackberry preserves between layers and frosting the top and sides with chocolate frosting.
- Garnish with fresh blackberries, dark chocolate shavings, and mint leaves.
Notes
Ensure to use room temperature ingredients for better emulsification. Sift dry ingredients to avoid lumps.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 80mg