Description
Dark, decadent, and hauntingly beautiful—this dramatic cake merges the deep richness of velvet cocoa with tart blackberry compote and luscious buttercream for an unforgettable gothic dessert.
Ingredients
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Cake:
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2½ cups all-purpose flour
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2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (black or regular)
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1 tsp baking powder
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½ tsp baking soda
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½ tsp salt
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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1½ cups granulated sugar
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3 large eggs
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 cup buttermilk (or sub with plant-based milk + vinegar)
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Food coloring (black and/or purple) as desired
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Blackberry Compote:
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2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries
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¼–½ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
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1 Tbsp lemon juice
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Blackberry Buttercream (or Cream Cheese Frosting):
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened (+ 8 oz cream cheese if using)
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3–4 cups powdered sugar
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½–1 cup strained blackberry puree
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Food coloring (black or purple) optional
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Instructions
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Prepare Compote: Simmer berries, sugar, and lemon juice until thickened (5–10 min). Cool and strain.
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Make Cake Batter: Whisk dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, buttermilk, and food coloring. Combine wet and dry until smooth.
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Bake Cake: Divide batter into two greased 9‑inch pans. Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for ~30 min or until a toothpick emerges clean
Notes
Use black cocoa powder for intense dark color
Strain compote and puree for silky texture.
Chill cake layers before frosting for a clean finish
Brush layers with simple syrup for added moisture
- Prep Time: 20–30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baking, Mixing, Layering
- Cuisine: American / Gothic-inspired fusion
Keywords: blackberry velvet cake, gothic cake, black cocoa cake, dark aesthetic dessert