Description
Rich chocolate raspberry cake delivers pure indulgence with layers of moist chocolate sponge and silky raspberry buttercream. Delicate chocolate ganache and fresh raspberries crown this irresistible dessert that promises to delight your senses.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Cake):
- 3 cups cake flour
- 2 and ¼ cups light brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 and ½ cups full-fat sour cream
- 4 large eggs
- 1 and ½ cups + 2 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 2 cups hot water
Supplemental Ingredients (Cake and Stabilizers):
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup milk
- 3 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 and ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons espresso powder
- 1 and ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Frosting and Decoration Ingredients:
- 1 and ¾ cups salted butter
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 6 ounces full-fat cream cheese
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons freeze-dried raspberries
- 2 tablespoons raspberry preserves
- ⅔ cup raspberry preserves
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1–2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh raspberries
- Mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Meticulously prepare three cake pans by greasing with shortening, lining with parchment circles, and dusting with flour. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Whisk hot water and cocoa powder until silky, allowing the mixture to cool and develop rich chocolate notes.
- Combine cake flour, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder in a large mixing bowl, creating a dry ingredient foundation.
- Incorporate sour cream, milk, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla, and cooled cocoa mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently whisk until just combined, maintaining a smooth texture with minimal lumps.
- Distribute batter evenly across prepared cake pans, ensuring uniform layers.
- Bake for 23-27 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick reveals moist crumbs when inserted.
- Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks for complete cooling.
- Cream butter until light and fluffy, gradually introducing powdered sugar in three separate additions.
- Enhance frosting with milk, vanilla, and salt, creating a silky smooth consistency.
- Fold in freeze-dried raspberry powder and raspberry preserves, then integrate cream cheese until perfectly blended.
- Position first cake layer on a stand, spreading frosting and creating a preserves-filled center with piped borders.
- Repeat layering process, ensuring even frosting distribution between cake tiers.
- Invert final layer for a pristine top surface, applying a delicate crumb coat before refrigerating.
- After chilling, generously frost the exterior, embracing a semi-naked aesthetic by strategically removing some frosting.
- Create ganache by simmering heavy cream and pouring over finely chopped chocolate. Allow to rest, then stir until glossy.
- Incorporate vegetable oil to achieve a perfect dripping consistency.
- Cascade ganache over chilled cake, guiding elegant drips with an offset spatula.
- Decorate with remaining frosting, fresh raspberries, and miniature chocolate chips.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container, refrigerated for 4-5 days.
- Pro tip: Cake layers and frosting can be prepared in advance, maintaining freshness and convenience.
Notes
- Prepare cake pans meticulously by greasing, lining with parchment, and dusting with flour to ensure easy cake removal and perfect shape.
- Cocoa mixture requires cooling to room temperature for seamless integration with other cake ingredients, preventing potential texture issues.
- Raspberry frosting demands precise beating technique to achieve smooth, creamy consistency without overmixing cream cheese.
- Crumb coat step is crucial for creating a clean, professional cake appearance and preventing loose cake crumbs from showing in final frosting.
- Chocolate ganache drip technique requires chilled cake surface and careful pouring to create elegant, controlled drips along cake edges.
- Refrigeration helps stabilize cake layers and frosting, ensuring structural integrity and enhancing flavor melding between components.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 53 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg