Delighted to help! Here’s a refined and formal recipe-style article for your Blackberry Vanilla Cake, based on common culinary patterns and variations—crafted without direct sourcing.

Short Description

A tender and moist vanilla cake lightly infused with blackberry essence, featuring layers of fresh blackberry curd or jam and finished with silky vanilla buttercream or a delicate cream cheese frosting.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Combines soft, buttery vanilla cake with bright, juicy blackberry flavor and creamy frosting.
Elegant and visually stunning—perfect for summer gatherings, birthdays, or afternoon tea.
Flexible components allow for customization: jam or curd filling, buttercream or cream cheese frosting, fresh or baked-in berries.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Cake

Unsalted butter, room temperature
Vegetable oil (optional, for added moisture)
Granulated sugar
Eggs, room temperature
Pure vanilla extract (or seeds from a vanilla bean)
Cake flour (or all‑purpose flour, with slight difference in texture)
Baking powder (and baking soda if using acidic ingredients like sour cream)
Salt
Buttermilk or sour cream (adds moisture and a tender crumb)
Fresh blackberries (some may be gently folded into the batter)

Filling

Blackberry preserves, jam, or homemade curd

Frosting

Unsalted butter, room temperature
Powdered (confectioners’) sugar
Vanilla extract or vanilla bean seeds
Optional: cream cheese (for cream cheese frosting variation)
Optional: blackberry puree or jam (for tinted flavor)

Directions

Prep and Batter
Preheat oven (typically 325–350 °F / 160–175 °C). Grease and line cake pans—parchment circles help with a clean release. Cream butter (and oil if using) with sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
Combine Dry & Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder (and soda if applicable), and salt. Alternate adding dry mix and buttermilk or sour cream to the butter-sugar-egg mixture until just combined—do not overmix.
Add Blackberries (Optional)
Gently fold in fresh blackberries, lightly dusted with flour to help suspend them evenly.
Bake
Divide the batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean—typically 25–35 minutes depending on pan size and oven. Allow cakes to cool completely on a rack before assembly.
Prepare Filling & Frosting
- For filling: use blackberry jam, preserves, or curd between layers.
- For frosting: beat butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla (or vanilla bean seeds). For a twist, swirl in some blackberry purée or jam. For cream cheese frosting, beat cream cheese and butter together before adding sugar and flavoring.
Assemble Cake
On your cake stand, place the first cake layer and spread with filling. Add a crumb coat of frosting over entire cake—chill briefly if needed. Apply the final smooth coat of frosting and garnish with fresh blackberries, jam streaks, or edible flowers.
Serving
Let the cake rest at room temperature for optimal texture before cutting.

Servings and Timing

Servings: Typically yields 12–16 slices, depending on pan size.
Timing:
- Prep: ~30–40 minutes
- Bake: ~25–35 minutes
- Cooling & assembly: ~30–45 minutes
- Total: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, from start to ready-to-serve.

Variations

Filling: Use fresh blackberry curd, jam, or swirled purée between layers.
Frosting: Choose between vanilla buttercream, blackberry‑tinted buttercream, or cream cheese frosting.
Blackberry inclusion: Fold fresh berries into batter, layer between cakes, or both.
Add-ins: A pinch of lemon zest brightens flavor; sour cream or buttermilk adds tenderness.
Textural twist: Add a crisp topping or crumble layer for crunch.

Storage / Reheating

Storage: Store the assembled cake in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for 2–3 days to preserve freshness.
Freezing: Cake layers (unfrosted) can be wrapped and frozen for up to 2–3 months; thaw before frosting and assembly.
Serving after chill: Bring the cake to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.

FAQs

1. What flour should I use: cake flour or all‑purpose?

Cake flour yields a lighter, softer crumb due to its lower protein content; all‑purpose will produce a slightly denser cake but works well too.

2. Can I substitute sour cream for buttermilk?

Yes—both add moisture and tenderize crumb, but sour cream provides a richer tang and is thicker.

3. How do I prevent blackberries from sinking in the batter?

Toss the berries in a bit of flour before gently folding them in to help distribute and suspend them.

4. Can I use frozen blackberries?

Yes—thaw and drain excess liquid (and optionally toss with flour) before using to reduce moisture and sogginess.

5. How can I prevent the frosting from melting?

Ensure cake layers are completely cooled before frosting; chilling the cake briefly after a crumb coat also helps set the frosting.

6. Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes—bake layers ahead, wrap, and refrigerate or freeze. Prepare frosting and filling in advance. Assemble the day before serving for best convenience.

7. What’s the best way to store decorated cake?

Store in the refrigerator, covered but not sealed tightly (to avoid frosting damage)—let cake come to room temperature before serving.

8. Any tips for smooth frosting?

Use room‑temperature ingredients, apply a thin crumb coat and chill, then finish with a smooth final coat using an offset spatula.

9. How do I adjust bake time for different pan sizes?

Use thinner pans (e.g., 6-inch vs 9-inch), and check earlier (by 5–10 minutes). The center is done when a cake tester comes out clean.

10. Can I add citrus zest to enhance flavor?

Absolutely—a touch of lemon or orange zest in the batter or frosting adds brightness and complements the blackberry flavor nicely.

Conclusion

This Blackberry Vanilla Cake is an elegant, flavorful dessert that combines a tender, aromatic vanilla base with the vibrant sweetness of blackberries and creamy frosting. Versatile and visually appealing, it’s easy to adapt—perfect for summer celebrations or anytime you crave a balanced, fruity treat.