Elegant Blackberry Lavender Cake Recipe

Dreamy Blackberry Lavender Cake Recipe: Sweet Summer Elegance

Sweet summer memories dance through this blackberry lavender cake, blending delicate floral notes with vibrant berry essence.

Soft purple petals whisper elegant stories across each tender crumb.

lavender subtle perfume mingles beautifully with deep blackberry richness, creating a sophisticated dessert that feels both nostalgic and modern.

Mediterranean herb gardens inspire this delightful creation, promising sensory magic in every slice.

Each bite carries a gentle complexity that surprises and delights.

Passionate bakers seeking an extraordinary treat will adore this unique confection.

Prepare to fall in love with a cake that transforms simple ingredients into pure culinary poetry.

Blackberry Lavender Cake That Delights

  • Craft Gourmet Elegance: Elevate your baking skills with this sophisticated blackberry lavender cake that transforms ordinary ingredients into a stunning dessert.
  • Capture Seasonal Charm: Blend the delicate floral notes of lavender with juicy blackberries for a unique flavor combination that celebrates summer's fresh produce.
  • Impress With Minimal Effort: Create a professional-looking cake using straightforward techniques that require basic baking skills and standard kitchen equipment.
  • Perfect for Special Gatherings: Ideal for bridal showers, afternoon tea parties, or sophisticated dessert moments that call for something extraordinary beyond typical cake recipes.

Ingredients for Blackberry Lavender Cake

Cake Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A foundational dry ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Adds richness and creates a tender cake texture.
  • Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cake's caramelization.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor to the cake.
  • Milk: Ensures moisture and helps create a smooth batter.
Flavor Ingredients:
  • Dried Lavender: Adds a delicate, floral note to the cake's flavor profile.
  • Blackberries: Provides natural sweetness, moisture, and a beautiful purple color to the cake.

How to Make Blackberry Lavender Cake

How to Make Blackberry Lavender Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Environment

Heat the oven to a toasty 350F. Grab two 8-inch cake pans and generously coat them with butter and flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together the following ingredients:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Blend until completely combined and no lumps remain.

Step 3: Create Creamy Butter Base

In a separate large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like soft clouds.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and stir gently.

Step 4: Infuse Lavender Flavor

Sprinkle lavender into the butter mixture, stirring to distribute the delicate floral notes evenly throughout the batter.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture.

Start and end with dry ingredients, alternating between the two. Mix until a smooth, silky batter forms.

Step 6: Incorporate Blackberry Goodness

Gently fold mashed blackberries into the batter, creating beautiful purple swirls throughout.

Step 7: Fill Cake Pans

Divide the batter equally between the two prepared cake pans.

Use a spatula to smooth the tops, ensuring an even surface.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pans into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean when the cakes are ready.

Step 9: Cool and Prepare for Frosting

Let the cakes rest in the pans for 10 minutes.

Carefully remove and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow cakes to cool completely before adding frosting.

Tips for Blackberry Lavender Cake Success

  • Gently crush lavender to release its aromatic oils and enhance the cake's delicate flavor profile.
  • Use fresh, ripe blackberries for the most vibrant color and natural sweetness in the cake.
  • Allow ingredients like eggs and milk to reach room temperature for smoother batter and more even baking.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake texture and maintain a light, tender crumb.
  • Test cake doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.

Variations on Blackberry Lavender Cake

  • Raspberry Rosemary Cake: Swap blackberries with raspberries and lavender with fresh rosemary for a herbaceous berry variation.
  • Gluten-Free Berry Cake: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for structure.
  • Vegan Blueberry Lavender Cake: Use coconut oil instead of butter, flax eggs as egg replacements, and plant-based milk for a dairy-free version.
  • Low-Sugar Elderberry Cake: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener and use elderberries for a less sweet, antioxidant-rich alternative.

Serving Ideas for Blackberry Lavender Cake

  • Lavender Garden Party: Serve slices on vintage floral plates with fresh lavender sprigs garnishing each piece, creating an elegant summer dessert presentation.
  • Summer Afternoon Tea Delight: Pair cake slices with earl grey tea, creating a sophisticated flavor combination that highlights the delicate lavender and blackberry notes.
  • Rustic Picnic Treat: Pack individual cake slices in mason jars with a dollop of whipped cream, perfect for outdoor gatherings and casual summer celebrations.
  • Dessert Wine Pairing: Complement the cake with a light moscato or rosé wine, enhancing the subtle floral and fruity undertones of the dessert.

Storage Advice for Blackberry Lavender Cake

  • Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain its freshness and prevent drying out.
  • Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating to preserve moisture and flavor.
  • For longer storage, freeze the unfrosted cake layers for up to 3 months by wrapping them securely in plastic wrap and placing in a freezer-safe container.
  • Thaw frozen cake layers at room temperature for 2-3 hours before frosting and serving, ensuring the texture remains soft and delicate.

FAQs

  • What does lavender taste like in this cake?

Lavender adds a subtle, floral, and slightly herbal flavor that complements the sweet blackberries without being overpowering or soapy.

  • Can I use dried or fresh lavender in the recipe?

Both dried and fresh lavender work well. If using fresh, use slightly less than the dried amount. Ensure the lavender is food-grade and culinary quality.

  • How do I prevent the blackberries from sinking in the cake batter?

Gently coat the mashed blackberries in a little flour before folding them into the batter. This helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking.

Print
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Elegant Blackberry Lavender Cake Recipe

Elegant Blackberry Lavender Cake Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Rich blackberry lavender cake brings elegant French countryside flavors to classic dessert lovers. Delicate layers combine floral lavender notes with sweet blackberry compote, creating a sophisticated culinary experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake Base:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs

Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Liquid and Fruit Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup fresh blackberries (mashed)

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare two 8-inch cake pans with grease and flour coating.
  2. Combine flour, leavening agents, and salt in a mixing vessel, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
  3. Cream butter and sugar until voluminous and airy, then incorporate eggs individually, followed by vanilla essence.
  4. Gently integrate finely ground lavender into the creamy mixture, releasing its delicate floral notes.
  5. Gradually introduce dry ingredients and milk to the batter, creating a smooth consistency by alternating additions and ending with dry mixture.
  6. Delicately fold crushed blackberries into the batter, distributing fruit throughout for bursts of flavor.
  7. Evenly distribute the batter between prepared pans, smoothing surfaces for uniform baking.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until a inserted toothpick emerges clean and cake edges slightly pull away from pan sides.
  9. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack and let completely cool before applying frosting.

Notes

  • Gently massage lavender between your fingers before adding to release its aromatic oils and enhance the flavor profile.
  • Crush blackberries roughly to maintain small fruit chunks, which create delightful texture pockets throughout the cake.
  • Consider straining excess liquid from mashed blackberries to prevent potential moisture issues in the cake’s structure.
  • Use fresh or dried culinary-grade lavender to ensure the most refined and subtle floral undertones without overwhelming the dessert.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 260 kcal
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
John Conley

John Conley

Founder & Culinary Storyteller

Expertise

Recipe Development, Culinary Writing, Home Cooking Techniques, Seasonal Ingredient Utilization​

Education

Lane Community College, Eugene, OR
​Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focused on foundational cooking techniques, kitchen safety, and menu planning.

​Gotham Writers Workshop, New York, NY
Course in Food Writing
Explored the art of crafting engaging culinary narratives and recipe development.


John grew up where food meant connection: big bowls, warm kitchens, and meals that told a story. After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Lane Community College and diving deep into food writing at Gotham Writers Workshop, he found his calling: turning everyday recipes into something worth savoring.
At The Liffey, John’s focus is all about crafting dishes that feel easy, honest, and full of heart.

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