Description
Delightful blackberry lavender cake blends floral elegance with sweet berry richness, creating a sophisticated dessert that whispers French countryside charm. Delicate lavender notes and juicy blackberries dance together, promising a memorable slice of pure culinary pleasure you’ll savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries, lightly mashed
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
Instructions
- Infuse milk with lavender by gently heating in a saucepan, allowing the delicate floral essence to permeate the liquid. Strain and let cool to room temperature.
- Sift together dry ingredients, ensuring a smooth, lump-free mixture that will contribute to the cake’s tender crumb.
- Cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and voluminous, creating a light foundation for the cake.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly to create a uniform, silky batter that will support the cake’s structure.
- Gradually blend the dry ingredients and lavender-infused milk into the butter mixture, alternating between the two to maintain a consistent texture.
- Gently fold mashed blackberries into the batter, distributing them evenly to create pockets of fruity flavor throughout the cake.
- Prepare cake pans by greasing and flouring, ensuring the delicate cake will release easily after baking.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), creating the perfect environment for a golden, evenly baked cake.
- Divide the batter between two prepared pans, smoothing the tops to ensure an even rise.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is perfectly cooked through.
- Allow cakes to rest in the pans for a brief period, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare frosting by whipping butter until creamy, then gradually incorporating powdered sugar, blackberry puree, heavy cream, and vanilla extract.
- Once cooled, assemble the cake by spreading frosting between layers and covering the entire exterior with a smooth, even coat.
- Enhance the presentation by garnishing with fresh blackberries and delicate lavender sprigs, adding a touch of natural beauty to the finished dessert.
Notes
- Lavender infusion works best with whole milk, creating a delicate floral undertone that enhances the cake’s overall flavor profile.
- Mash blackberries gently to maintain texture and prevent overwhelming the delicate cake batter with excess liquid.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cake’s soft crumb.
- Reduce sugar by 25% and use fresh berries sparingly if aiming for a less sweet, more botanically focused dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg