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Lemon Blackberry Cake

A delightful fusion of tartness and sweetness, this Lemon Blackberry Cake embodies summer flavors with juicy blackberries and zesty lemon, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Baking
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Cake Batter
  • 315 grams 315 grams (2 and 1/4 cups) plain flour or all-purpose flour
  • 250 grams 250 grams (1 and 1/4 cups) caster sugar or granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 230 grams 230 grams (1 cup / 2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, roughly chopped
  • Zest of 2 lemons Zest of two lemons, freshly grated
  • 3 large 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 240 ml 240 ml (1 cup) full-fat or whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 60 ml 60 ml (1/4 cup) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 90 grams 90 grams (3/4 cup) fresh blackberries, chopped into thirds
Lemon Cookie Crumbs
  • 105 grams 105 grams (3/4 cup) plain flour or all-purpose flour
  • 50 grams 50 grams (1/4 cup) caster sugar or granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon cornflour or cornstarch
  • 1/8 teaspoon 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • Zest of 1 lemon Zest of one lemon, freshly grated
  • 60 grams 60 grams (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Buttercream
  • 230 grams 230 grams (1 cup / 2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 150 grams 150 grams (1 cup) good quality white chocolate, broken into pieces
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 375 grams 375 grams (3 cups) icing sugar or powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons whole or full-fat milk, room temperature
  • 60 ml 60 ml (1/4 cup) full-fat or whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decoration
  • 130 grams 130 grams (1/2 cup) blackberry jam For spreading between layers
  • Fresh blackberries, to decorate, optional

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) for conventional or 160°C (320°F) for fan-forced. Grease and line a quarter sheet pan (9 by 13 inches) with baking or parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk gently to combine.
  3. Add the chopped unsalted butter to the bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the butter resembles small pea-sized pieces.
  4. Add the lemon zest, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Start on low speed and gradually increase to medium. Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and combine until smooth.
  5. Gently fold through the chopped blackberries by hand, ensuring even distribution without breaking them apart.
Baking the Cake
  1. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan completely.
Prepare Lemon Cookie Crumbs
  1. Preheat the oven again to 180°C (350°F) and line a medium-sized cookie sheet with baking paper. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cornflour, salt, and lemon zest. Whisk thoroughly.
  2. Pour the melted butter over the dry ingredients and add vanilla. Stir until the mixture resembles wet sand. Spread the crumbs onto the prepared tray and bake for 10 minutes. Let them cool completely.
Make the Buttercream
  1. In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale and creamy.
  2. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring in between, and set aside.
  3. Add vanilla, half of the icing sugar, and one tablespoon of milk to the butter, mixing until just combined. Gradually add the remaining icing sugar and beat until smooth. Mix in the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully incorporated.
  4. If the frosting is too thick, add an extra tablespoon of milk.
Assemble the Cake
  1. Carefully remove the cooled cake from the pan and peel off the paper. Use a six-inch cake ring to cut out three layers, yielding two full rounds and two semicircles.
  2. Place the cake ring on a cake board or plate lined with acetate. Press the two semicircles onto the bottom firmly. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of the milk soak over the first layer.
  3. Spread one-third of the buttercream over the layer evenly. Add 2-3 tablespoons of blackberry jam and swirl it into the buttercream. Scatter a handful of lemon cookie crumbs.
  4. Repeat the process with another cake layer, pressing down, and soak, buttercream, jam, and crumbs again. Finish with the final cake layer.
  5. Top the final layer with the remaining buttercream, spreading it evenly. Add more jam and sprinkle over the rest of the cookie crumbs.
Chill & Serve
  1. Place the completed cake in the fridge for at least two hours to set.
  2. When ready to serve, carefully remove the acetate and decorate the top with fresh blackberries.

Notes

Use room-temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and a more uniform texture. For a richer lemon flavor, add more lemon zest. Ensure your oven is properly calibrated for even baking. If you want to reduce sugar, experiment with sugar alternatives for similar sweetness. If the cake seems too moist, consider baking it a few minutes longer, keeping a close eye to avoid over-baking.