Decadent Blackberry Chocolate Recipe

Sweet Berry Bliss: Our Irresistible Blackberry Chocolate Recipe

Sweet summer nights call for an irresistible blackberry chocolate dessert that blends rich cocoa with bursting berry flavors.

Dark chocolate melts seamlessly with ripe, juicy blackberries, creating a decadent combination that dances on your palate.

Each bite promises a delightful contrast between smooth, velvety chocolate and tangy, fresh berries.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into an elegant treat that looks as stunning as it tastes.

Layers of deep chocolate and vibrant purple blackberries create a visual masterpiece that beckons dessert lovers.

Weekend bakers and experienced pastry chefs alike will fall in love with this simple yet sophisticated creation.

Serve this stunning dessert and watch as everyone asks for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 51 minutes

Calories: 431 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients That Define Blackberry Chocolate

For Cake Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and foundation for the cake's texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create soft, tender crumb.
  • Rodelle Organic Baking Cocoa: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and rich dark color.
  • Baking Soda: Creates light, airy texture by helping cake rise.
  • Baking Powder: Ensures even lift and helps cake maintain consistent height.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
For Cake Wet Ingredients:
  • Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and creates tender, moist cake texture.
  • Vegetable Oil: Keeps cake incredibly soft and prevents dryness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, subtle aromatic undertones.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide rich, smooth consistency.
  • Hot Water: Helps activate cocoa and creates deeper chocolate intensity.
For Blackberry Jam:
  • Fresh Blackberries: Delivers vibrant, natural fruity sweetness.
  • Granulated Sugar: Helps intensify berry flavor and create syrupy consistency.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and prevents berries from oxidizing.
For Buttercream Components:
  • Egg Whites, Granulated Sugar: Create silky, stable meringue base.
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides creamy, smooth texture.
  • Homemade Blackberry Jam: Infuses buttercream with fruity, tangy notes.
For Chocolate Ganache:
  • Dark Chocolate: Delivers intense, rich chocolate flavor.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, glossy finishing sauce.

Tools for Crafting Blackberry Chocolate from Scratch

  • Saucepan: medium-sized pot for cooking blackberry jam.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: for stirring and mashing berries.
  • Fine-Mesh Sieve: to strain and remove seeds from jam.
  • Electric Mixer: for beating butter and creating smooth frosting.
  • Three 9-inch Cake Pans: for baking layers of chocolate cake.
  • Parchment Paper: to line cake pans and prevent sticking.
  • Whisk: for mixing dry and wet cake ingredients.
  • Mixing Bowls: for preparing cake batter and frosting.
  • Small Saucepan: for heating cream and making ganache.
  • Wire Cooling Rack: to cool cake layers after baking.

Mixing and Melting Blackberry Chocolate the Right Way

  • Blackberry Essence Preparation

Simmer fresh blackberries with a splash of sweet sugar and bright lemon juice in a cozy saucepan. Let the berries dance and break down, creating a rich, vibrant jam that captures summer’s magic. Gently mash the berries, allowing their deep purple colors to blend and intensify. Strain the mixture to create a silky, smooth blackberry puree.

  • Chocolate Canvas

Warm your kitchen by setting the oven to a gentle temperature. Lovingly prepare cake pans with a light coating of butter, creating a smooth surface for your chocolate masterpiece. Blend dry ingredients with tender care, then whisk wet components until they transform into a luxurious batter. A touch of hot water will bring everything together in perfect harmony.

  • Baking Adventure

Pour the rich chocolate batter into prepared pans, watching it settle with anticipation. Allow the cake to bake until it rises and becomes perfectly tender. Once cooled, the layers will be your delicious foundation.

  • Dreamy Frosting

Whip butter until it becomes light and cloud-like. Fold in powdered sugar and your precious blackberry puree, creating a luscious frosting that hints at summer’s sweetness.

  • Chocolate Elegance

Warm cream gently, then pour over smooth chocolate. Stir until the mixture becomes a glossy, irresistible ganache that will make hearts melt.

  • Final Symphony

Assemble your cake with layers of blackberry frosting and decadent ganache. Crown your creation with whole, glistening blackberries that add a touch of wild beauty.

Enhancing Blackberry Chocolate Flavor with Style

  • Culinary Magic for Your Blackberry Chocolate Cake
  • Stir blackberries constantly while cooking to prevent burning and ensure smooth, silky texture. Ripe, in-season berries will create the most vibrant jam flavor.
  • Allow cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding. Chilling layers in the refrigerator for 30 minutes helps create cleaner, more stable cake assembly.
  • Use high-quality dark chocolate for richer, deeper ganache flavor. Let ganache cool slightly before pouring to achieve perfect dripping consistency without becoming too runny.
  • Fresh blackberries create stunning visual appeal. Dust cake edges with cocoa powder or powdered sugar for elegant, professional-looking finish. Consider adding chocolate shavings for extra texture and decadence.
  • Blackberry jam and cake layers can be prepared one day in advance. Store covered in refrigerator to maintain freshness and reduce day-of preparation stress.

How to Serve Blackberry Chocolate Beautifully

  • Berry Bliss Brunch Companion: Serve thick slices alongside a steaming cappuccino or cold brew coffee for a decadent morning treat that balances rich chocolate with bright berry notes.
  • Elegant Dessert Plating: Create an Instagram-worthy presentation by drizzling extra ganache, scattering fresh blackberries, and adding a delicate mint leaf for a pop of color and freshness.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Match this luxurious cake with a glass of ruby port or sweet dessert wine, enhancing the deep chocolate and tangy blackberry flavors for a sophisticated after-dinner experience.
  • Summer Gathering Centerpiece: Bring this showstopping cake to outdoor parties, picnics, or family gatherings where its stunning appearance and complex taste will delight guests of all ages.

Storage Tips for Blackberry Chocolate Goodness

  • Smart Batch Preparation: Make jam and ganache up to 5 days ahead. Store in sealed glass containers inside the refrigerator, keeping flavors fresh and saving precious cooking time.
  • Cake Layer Longevity: Wrap individual cake layers in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Store at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days before final assembly, maintaining moisture and softness.
  • Refrigeration Strategy: After complete cake assembly, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
  • Freezing Magic: Slice cooled cake into portions, wrap tightly in plastic and freezer-safe bags. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator, bringing dessert back to delicious life with minimal effort.
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Decadent Blackberry Chocolate Recipe

Decadent Blackberry Chocolate Recipe


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4.9 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 51 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Luxurious blackberry chocolate cake combines rich dark chocolate with fresh blackberries for an elegant dessert. Silky ganache and berry compote create a harmonious balance of flavors you’ll savor with each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups (340 g / 12 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups (400 g / 14 oz) granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fl oz) all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups (450 g / 16 oz) fresh blackberries
  • ¾ cup (75 g / 2.6 oz) Rodelle Organic Baking Cocoa
  • 2 ¼ tsps baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) buttermilk
  • ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) vegetable or canola oil
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) hot water
  • ¼ cup (50 g / 1.8 oz) granulated sugar (for blackberry jam)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 oz (56 g) dark chocolate, chopped
  • 2 oz (60 ml / 2 fl oz) heavy cream
  • 1 ¼ cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) granulated sugar (for buttercream)
  • 3 tbsps homemade blackberry jam

Instructions

  1. Blackberry Preparation: Combine blackberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat, gently crushing the fruits to release their natural juices and pectin.
  2. Jam Creation: Simmer the mixture for 20 minutes, stirring intermittently until the fruits completely break down and thicken to a jam-like consistency. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to create a smooth blackberry puree.
  3. Cake Pan Setup: Prepare three 9-inch cake pans by greasing sides and lining bottoms with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
  4. Batter Assembly: Sift dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk wet ingredients, gradually incorporating hot water to create a smooth, silky batter.
  5. Baking Process: Distribute batter evenly among prepared pans, smoothing the surface to eliminate air pockets. Bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating pans midway to ensure uniform baking. Verify doneness with a toothpick test.
  6. Cooling Stage: Allow cake layers to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
  7. Frosting Preparation: Cream butter in a stand mixer, gradually adding powdered sugar and blackberry puree until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  8. Chocolate Ganache: Heat heavy cream until barely simmering, then pour over dark chocolate. Let sit for 2-3 minutes before stirring to create a glossy, smooth ganache.
  9. Cake Assembly: Once completely cooled, layer cake with blackberry frosting between each tier, ensuring even coverage.
  10. Final Decoration: Pour chocolate ganache over the assembled cake, allowing elegant drips down the sides. Embellish with fresh blackberries and optional chocolate shavings for a stunning presentation.

Notes

  • Crush Berries Carefully: Gently break down blackberries to maximize juice and natural pectin without creating a harsh texture.
  • Sieve for Smoothness: Straining the blackberry mixture removes seeds, ensuring a silky-smooth puree for an refined frosting and filling.
  • Temperature Matters: Use room temperature ingredients for better cake batter integration and more consistent mixing results.
  • Ganache Technique: Allow chocolate to sit undisturbed after cream is added, creating a glossy and perfectly smooth chocolate coating without stirring immediately.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 431
  • Sugar: 40 g
  • Sodium: 284 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 47 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 83 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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