Dark Romance Cake

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Indulge in the decadent allure of this Blackberry Chocolate Cake, a mesmerizing blend of rich chocolate and tart blackberries, wrapped in a silky blackberry frosting and crowned with a glossy chocolate ganache. Perfect for an elegant Christmas dessert or any occasion that calls for a touch of romance, this cake is both a feast for the eyes and a delight for the palate. 🎄🍫🍇

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder
  • 1 cup milk (buttermilk, almond, or coconut milk)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup fresh blackberries, chopped (plus extra whole blackberries for decoration)

For the Blackberry Frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup blackberry puree (strained to remove seeds)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • A pinch of salt
  • Purple or aubergine food coloring (optional)

For the Glossy Ganache:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup dark chocolate, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup or honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Directions

Cake Layers:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and line four 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder.
  3. Add milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and mix on medium speed until well combined.
  4. Carefully add boiling water to the batter and mix until smooth.
  5. Gently fold in chopped blackberries.
  6. Distribute the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool the cakes for 10 minutes in the pans, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Blackberry Frosting:

  1. Beat the softened butter until light and fluffy.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well.
  3. Stir in blackberry puree, vanilla extract, salt, and food coloring until fully combined. Adjust consistency as needed.

Glossy Ganache:

  1. Heat heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
  2. Place finely chopped chocolate in a heat-proof bowl.
  3. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let sit for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Add corn syrup or honey and vanilla extract, if using. Stir until smooth and shiny. Let it cool slightly.

Assembly:

  1. Place one cake layer on a plate or cake stand. Spread a layer of blackberry frosting on top.
  2. Repeat with the remaining cake layers, frosting the sides as well.
  3. Pour the ganache over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
  4. Decorate with whole blackberries.

Serve this stunning Dark Romance Cake as the centerpiece of your Christmas celebration, and let its rich, bold flavors captivate your guests. Enjoy every luscious bite! 🎄🍫🍇✨

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