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Blackberry Velvet Gothic Cake

A dramatic, moist velvet cake infused with blackberry purée, layered with cream cheese frosting, and finished with a glossy blackberry glaze. Perfect for gothic-inspired celebrations or Halloween parties.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Gothic
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.75 cup dark cocoa powder
  • 1.5 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.75 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs large
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup blackberry purée strained
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • a few drops black gel food coloring optional for deeper color
Frosting
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 0.25 cup blackberry jam or purée
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Glaze
  • 0.5 cup blackberry jam
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
Garnish
  • fresh blackberries
  • edible violets or petals

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Cake pans
  • Spatula
  • Whisk
  • Saucepan
  • Cooling racks

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans.
  2. Prepare blackberry purée by simmering and straining fresh blackberries. Let cool.
  3. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
  4. In another bowl, beat sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in buttermilk and blackberry purée.
  5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Add black gel food coloring if desired.
  6. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans and bake for 25–28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  7. Cool cakes completely on wire racks.
  8. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then fold in blackberry jam and vanilla.
  9. Assemble cake: layer cakes with frosting in between and around the sides.
  10. Prepare glaze by heating blackberry jam, water, and lemon juice until syrupy. Drizzle over cake.
  11. Garnish with fresh blackberries and edible violets.

Notes

Optional: Dust with silver edible powder or dark chocolate shavings for extra gothic flair.