Description
Indulge in the elegance of this decadent dessert! Layers of moist chocolate cake, tangy blackberry compote, and velvety ganache come together to create a dessert that’s as mysterious as it is delicious. Perfect for romantic dinners, special events, or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth. ✨
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake Layers:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot brewed coffee
For the Blackberry Compote:
- 2 cups fresh blackberries
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
For Garnish:
- Fresh blackberries (optional)
- Edible gold dust (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Layers:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract. Gradually combine the wet and dry ingredients.
- Stir in hot coffee until smooth. The batter will be thin. Divide evenly into pans.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Make the Blackberry Compote:
- Combine blackberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring until berries break down and sauce thickens (5–10 minutes). Cool completely.
- Prepare the Ganache:
- Heat cream in a saucepan until simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate. Let sit 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Level the cake layers if necessary. Place one layer on a cake stand and spread with blackberry compote. Top with the second layer.
- Pour ganache over the top, letting it drip down the sides. Spread evenly with a spatula.
- Decorate and Serve:
- Garnish with fresh blackberries and a dusting of edible gold dust if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Room Temperature Ingredients:
Ensure all your wet ingredients (eggs, buttermilk, etc.) are at room temperature before mixing. This helps the batter blend evenly and results in a lighter, more tender cake. - Do Not Overmix:
When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense and tough cake due to overdeveloped gluten. - Timing is Key for Ganache:
Let the ganache cool to room temperature before pouring it over the cake. If it’s too warm, it will be runny; if it’s too cold, it will be difficult to spread smoothly. Aim for a thick but pourable consistency for the best results.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 40 min