Description
A rich, two-layer chocolate dessert filled with blackberry compote and frosted with black cocoa buttercream, perfect for Halloween gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
- ¾ cup black cocoa powder (sifted)
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
- 1 cup hot coffee
- ½ cup canola oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh blackberries
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 1 cup black cocoa powder (sifted)
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Chocolate skulls for decoration
- Fresh blackberries for decoration
- Dried rose petals for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch pans and line with parchment.
- In a large bowl, sift flour, sugar, black cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, oil, and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, then stir in hot coffee until the batter is smooth.
- Divide batter into pans and bake for 30-33 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- In a saucepan, cook blackberries, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and cinnamon stick for 5-6 minutes.
- Stir together water and cornstarch, then add to thicken. Remove cinnamon stick and chill compote in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add sifted powdered sugar, black cocoa powder, and salt. Mix until creamy and stir in vanilla extract until well combined.
- Level cooled cake layers with a serrated knife. Spread frosting on the base layer, then pipe a “dam” around the edge and fill with blackberry compote.
- Place second cake layer on top. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting and chill for 20 minutes.
- Frost fully with remaining buttercream. Decorate with chocolate skulls, fresh blackberries, and dried rose petals.
- Slice and serve as a dramatic Halloween dessert centerpiece.
Notes
Use a kitchen scale to evenly divide cake batter between pans for even layers. Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American