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This Blackberry cake is soft and moist and has a fluffy lemon blackberry buttercream frosting. The lemon juice cuts the sweetness and brightens up the whole cake. You’ll enjoy every bite as it hits your taste buds; sweet, tart and tangy. And of course the fresh blackberries were plump, juicy and wonderful!
I made this blackberry cake for my niece’s birthday and it was…good and so pretty (with decor inspiration from Allie)! Then I kept working on the cake, adding more lemon and the results were fantastic. Thankfully another niece was having a birthday the following weekend so it became her birthday cake.
This was much safer than leaving the cake at home with me, alone – with just the cake and I – and a fork. No one even noticed that I had taken out a slice to photograph it and then carefully replaced it and patched the frosting #smooth. My family was completely smitten with this cake!
Blackberry Cake Ingredients:
6 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour *measured correctly
1/2 tsp baking powder
Simple Lemon Syrup:
3/4 cup warm water
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
4 Tbsp Lemon Juice (from 1 large lemon)
Blackberry Frosting Ingredients:
3 cups powdered sugar
3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, room temperature
8 oz Cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1/2 tsp salt (I used fine sea salt)
2 packages (6 ounces each) blackberries, divided (1 cup for frosting, 1 cup sliced for layers, 6 berries for decor).
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice from 1 medium lemon
Crystal sprinkles, optional
How to Make the Blackberry Cake:
Watch the video before you get started:
Preheat Oven to 350˚F. Line bottoms of two 9″ cake pans with parchment paper (do not grease the sides).
1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment (this is the one I have), beat 6 large eggs for 1 minute on high speed. With the mixer on, gradually add 1 cup sugar and continue beating 8-10 minutes until thick and fluffy.
2. Whisk together 1 cup flour and 1/2 tsp baking powder then sift this mixture into fluffy egg mixture one third at a time. Fold with a spatula with each addition just until incorporated. Scrape spatula from the bottom to catch any pockets of flour and stop mixing when no streaks of flour remain. Do not over-mix or you will deflate the batter.
3. Divide evenly between prepared cake pans (it helps if you have a kitchen scale to weight the pans). Bake at 350˚F for 23-28 minutes (my oven took 25 min), or until top is golden brown. Remove from pan by sliding a thin spatula (here’s the one I love for cakes) around the edges then transfer to a wire rack and remove parchment backing. Cool cakes to room temperature then slice layers equally in half with a serrated knife.
How to Make Lemon Blackberry Frosting:
1. Combine 2 Tbsp lemon juice with 1 cup blackberries in small saucepan. Simmer 6-7 minutes or until berries easily mash up with a fork then turn off heat. Strain through a fine mesh Strainer, pushing the blackberries through with a spatula until only seeds are left in strainer. Discard seeds and set the puree aside to cool completely to room temp (you should get 5 Tbsp puree).
2. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, cream together 3 sticks butter, 3 cups powdered sugar and 1/2 tsp salt on low speed until combined, scraping as necessary. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until white and fluffy (2 to 3 min).
3. Add cream cheese 1-piece at a time and mix until combined then continue to beat 2 min until fluffy, scraping down the bowl as needed. With the mixer on, drizzle in blackberry syrup 1 Tbsp at a time then beat another minute.
How to Assemble Blackberry Cake:
1. Slice 1 cup blackberries and set aside. Make your lemon syrup by combining 3/4 cup warm water, 1 Tbsp granulated sugar and 4 Tbsp Lemon Juice.
2. Place first cake layer on serving platter cut-side up. Brush with 1/4 of the lemon syrup. Spread frosting over the top and layer with 1/3 sliced berries. Repeat with remaining layers placing the final layer cut-side-down, then frost the top and sides. (Tip: For the smoothest results, reserve flattest cake-layer for the top)
3. Pipe remaining frosting onto cake. For the roses, I used a closed star Wilton 2D tip (here’s a tutorial I created awhile back for how to pipe frosting roses). Decorate with remaining blackberries. I sprinkled with sugar crystals since it was my niece’s princess party birthday cake :).
Blackberry Cake Recipe

Ingredients
Cake Ingredients:
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
Simple Lemon Syrup:
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 4 Tbsp Lemon Juice, from 1 large lemon
Blackberry Frosting Ingredients:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 sticks, 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 8 oz Cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 1/2 tsp salt, I used fine sea salt
- 12 oz blackberries
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice from 1 medium lemon
- Crystal sprinkles, optional
Instructions
Prep: Preheat Oven to 350˚F. Line bottoms of two 9" cake pans with parchment paper (do not grease the sides).
How to Make the Cake:
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat 6 large eggs 1 min on high speed. With the mixer on, gradually add 1 cup sugar and continue beating 8-10 min until thick and fluffy.
- Whisk together 1 cup flour and 1/2 tsp baking powder then sift this mixture into fluffy egg mixture one third at a time. Fold with a spatula with each addition just until incorporated. Scrape spatula from the bottom to catch any pockets of flour and stop mixing when no streaks of flour remain. Do not over-mix or you will deflate the batter.
- Divide evenly between prepared cake pans and bake at 350˚F for 23-28 minutes (my oven took 25 min), or until top is golden brown. Remove from pan by sliding a thin spatula around the edges then transfer to a wire rack and remove parchment backing. Cool cakes to room temp then slice layers equally in half with a serrated knife.
How to Make Lemon Blackberry Frosting:
- Combine 2 Tbsp lemon juice with 1 cup blackberries in small saucepan. Simmer 6-7 minutes or until berries easily mash up with a fork then turn off heat. Strain through a fine mesh strainer, pushing the blackberries through with a spatula until only seeds are left in strainer. Discard seeds and set the puree aside to cool completely to room temp (you should get 5 Tbsp puree).
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, cream together 3 sticks butter, 3 cups powdered sugar and 1/2 tsp salt on low speed until combined, scraping as necessary. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until white and fluffy (2 to 3 min).
- Add cream cheese 1-piece at a time and mix until combined then continue to beat 2 min until fluffy, scraping down the bowl as needed. With the mixer on, drizzle in blackberry syrup 1 Tbsp at a time then beat another minute.
How to Assemble Blackberry Cake:
- Slice 1 cup blackberries and set aside. Make your lemon syrup by combining 3/4 cup warm water, 1 Tbsp granulated sugar and 4 Tbsp Lemon Juice.
- Place first cake layer on serving platter cut-side up **. Brush with 1/4 of the lemon syrup. Spread frosting over the top and layer with 1/3 sliced berries. Repeat with remaining layers placing the final layer cut-side-down, then frost the top and sides.
- Pipe remaining frosting onto cake. For the roses, use a closed star Wilton 2D tip. Decorate with remaining blackberries and sprinkle sugar crystals if desired.
Notes
**Tip: For the smoothest results, reserve flattest cake-layer for the top)
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
This recipe has got to be a joke. I should have known by the ingredients and the way the “batter” looked. 6 eggs, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour and 1/2 tsp baking powder.
It doesnt make enough batter. My cakes were pancake thin. No cutting those in half. I thought at least I could crumble and turn into cake pops but the taste is awful. It tastes like sugared eggs. Just a really strong egg flavor. Wasted a bunch of eggs and in the trash it goes.
Hi Crystal, it sounds like you are new to making this classic European sponge cake. The cake relies on the volume of the beaten eggs and sugar to rise so it is critically important to make sure you beat the eggs and sugar adequately in a high powered stand mixer. If using a hand mixer (which is not as efficient at whipping), add a few minutes to your mixing time. Also, be sure to bake right away without letting it sit too long on the counter. It may help to review our sponge cake video tutorial.
Hi Natasha,
Do you think it would work if i made this cake more narrow but tall and decorated it with flowers all around? She has a unicorn theme and all the beautiful unicorn cakes just dont taste good and the frosting tastes too buttery..
Hi Ksusha, I haven’t tested that in a more narrow cake bit I imagine it would work. You may need to adjust your bake time. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Hi Natasha
Your recipes look fabulous and easy to follow. I have a question regarding the pan size- you have all your recipes at 2 x 9-inch pans, if I want to use them for 3 x 6-inch pans or 2 x 6-inch pans – what temperature and time should I set them in?
I saw on your posts that I can shift/ change the size pan from 9inch to 6inch and it changes the amount of ingredients needed but that’s not what I’m going for. I’m aiming for 6 inch wide and 5-6 inch high cakes when all assembled. I would really like to try your recipes as I just started my new baking business.
Hope to hear from you and your advice.
Thanks
Hi Carol, if you divide into three 6-inch pans, the bake time should be about the same. You might have to do some experimenting, but it should be pretty close to the same timing since the height of the cakes will be about the same as in two 9-inch cakes.
Could I use frozen blackberries in the cake?
Hi Sherry, I think fresh is best but thawed frozen blackberries would probably work.
The most amazing frosting ever.
My cake came out looking amazing it was a bit dry even after I added my lemon mixture. But my husband and I had 1 peace each and my mother-in-law came tried it and left with the rest of it.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Hi Natasha ! Can I use raspberries instead?
Hi Oksana, yes raspberries would work fine.
When I came across this cake, I knew I had to try making it! It is so gorgeous and sounded delicious. I was not able to get my sponge cake to rise very well so I substituted a Victoria sponge. I also added 4 cups of powdered sugar to the frosting because it seemed a bit too soft. The flavor and the look were both wonderful! Thank you for your recipes and videos.
Hi Liz, I would love to try your recipe for Victoria sponge. It sounds wonderful! Can you share the source or possibly email it to me? natasha @ natashaskitchen.com (no spaces) 🙂 No pressure and thanks in advance!
Didn’t like it, wouldn’t make it again. Way too sweet (who would give this to a child?) and the butter in the frosting makes it very sensible to melting.
Hi Ana, we typically don’t love overly sweet desserts either, but everyone has a different level of love for sweets. You definitely want to keep buttercream and most frostings out of the heat or sun.
The cake did not rise at all, I’ve never had a cake turn out this flat. I’m very disappointed.
Hi Emily, I’m more than happy to troubleshoot, did you have a change to watch the video for making the cake layers? I think it would really help. Since this cake relies on the volume of eggs to rise, it is crucial not to use a whisk to fold in the flour or you will deflate the batter. Please let me know if you still have questions after watching this video (also embedded in the recipe above).
Could I freeze the whole cake with the icing?I would add the blackberries just before serving.
Hi Natasha,
My daughter found this recipe to do for her 21st birthday, I am just wondering how far in advance can I make it.
Thank you
Hi Sylvia! You could easily make this the day before or even 2 days in advance if you think your blackberries will hold up.
Hi Natasha,
Do you think I can omit the lemon from the simple syrup?
Hi Olga, You can use more water instead of lemon if you’d like.
Do you add lemon juice to the frosting?
Hi Lori, we sure do! Per the recipe, we add 2 Tbsp fresh lemon (juice from 1 medium lemon) to the frosting and 4 Tbsp Lemon Juice (from 1 large lemon) to the simple syrup.
In fact, though the frosting ingredients mention lemon juice, at no point do your instructions mention adding it, so I too missed this ingredient, as I’m sure other have. Also I followed your instructions to the letter and the measurements to the gram…and my icing split. I refrigerated it straight away and managed to save it, but it’s far from perfect. And in my distracted state I forgot to use the lemon syrup! So I hope it’s not too sickly sweet as a result. We’ll see what my workmates say tomorrow…
Hi Natasha, I made the BlackBerry cake today does it need to be refrigerated?
Hi Cheryl, since it has fruit in it and a dairy-based frosting, it is best to refrigerate the cake.
Natasha,
I was just wondering since you didn’t put it on this recipe, what is the cost to make this cake?
Every time I make this cake the frosting breaks. I’ve tried three times and every time I add the blackberry syrup (following the directions completely) it makes the smooth fluffy frosting turn grainy, runny, and awful looking. I don’t know if the recipe is missing something, or if I’m doing something wrong/missing something.
Also the chunks of blackberry make a crunchy seedy taste to the cake o recommend not adding them.
Hi Ashley, I haven’t had that experience with the frosting breaking but the only thing that comes to mind is that could happen if the syrup is added too quickly or of the syrup has been chilled. I hope that helps to troubleshoot. And yes, you can definitely strain the seeds if you prefer.
This happened to me too! The blackberries weren’t chilled. I left all the frosting ingredients on the counter to come to temperature
Natascha, for the frosting i’d rather use 1 cup of powdered sugar instead of 3. Would that affect the consistency? also, how many grams are 3 sticks of butter?
Thank you and love from Germany.
afraa
Hi Afraa, the powdered sugar is important to the consistency of the frosting – it might be a little too loose with only 1 cup of powdered sugar but you can add it to taste. Also, 1 stick of butter is equal to 113 grams so 3 sticks would equal 3/4 lb or 339 grams.
Hi Natasha! This cake looks so good and I would like to make it for my daughter’s first birthday. My question is: if I adjust the recipe to a 9×13 cake, do you think there will be a problem cutting each cake in half by a serrated knife? I am afraid it will break due to its size. I have adapated other cake receipes from your website to the 9×13 size and they were all wonderful, but those did not require cutting each one in half. Please let me know your thoughts. And thank you very much for all the wonderful recipes.
Hi Kamar, I haven’t tried this recipe as a sheet cake so I can’t say specifically. As long as it’s cut carefully I think it may work.
Some would suggest freezing the cake for about an hour before cutting it in half, as a partially frozen cake may be more stable than a room-temperature cake.
How many cups of heavy cream should I use in place of the butter? I want a whipped cream cheese frosting instead. Thank you very much.
You may use a recipe like this one here for reference. 🙂
I am in the process of making this cake! I ended up with double the amount of blackberry puree (10 Tbsp) and it is liquidy. Is that the right consistency? I am planning on only using 5 Tbsp but was wondering if I should reduce it on the stove to get it thicker. Thank you!
It should only make 5 tbsp of puree. Did you use the same proportions of ingredients in the puree? Did you change anything at all?
Hi Natasha, I made the frosting today. It’s a pretty pink, but it looks curdled. It’s smooth to the touch and tongue, but it appears to have a bumpy consistency. Any thoughts?
With the lumpy frosting, could it have been that the butter or cream cheese weren’t fully softened at room temperature which would make it difficult to get a completely smooth frosting? I hope that helps for next time!
I made this cake and everyone loved it !!!! I love the combination of ingredients!!!
Thank you for the great, review!
Natasha, I really like the color of this cake. Can I substitute the frosting ingredients and make it with cream cheese and heavy whipping cream like in your strawberry cake? If so, do I need to brush layers with the syrup?
Hi Julia, you could definitely sub the frosting since the cake base is essentially the same cake. I like brushing these cakes with some kind of syrup because they can be a little dry otherwise, unless you have a fruit puree in there, then it is not necessary.