Rich Chocolate Raspberry Cake with Raspberry-Infused Frosting

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

dark chocolate

🥗Healthier: semi-sweet chocolate

💰Cheaper: milk chocolate

Semi-sweet chocolate offers a similar taste with less bitterness

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup light brown sugar (packed), 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon table salt. Whisk until combined, breaking up any clumps in the brown sugar.

Add 2/3 cup avocado oil to the dry ingredients and mix.

Melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter and add it to the mixture, then mix again until combined. The batter will be crumbly but should be moistened.

Add 2 large eggs (room temperature) and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the batter and mix until well incorporated.

Gradually stir in 1 cup of buttermilk until the batter is velvety. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is mixed well.

Add 1/2 cup of hot coffee to the batter and stir until uniform, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl again.

Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans, and optionally line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake in the preheated oven for 24 to 25 minutes, using the toothpick test to check for doneness.

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 to 15 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and invert them onto cooling racks to cool completely.

While the cakes are cooling, prepare the raspberry filling by whisking together 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 3 tablespoons corn starch in a small saucepan.

Add 3 cups of raspberries, 3 tablespoons of water, and 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the saucepan and stir.

Turn the stovetop heat to medium and stir constantly until the berries release their juices and the mixture thickens, which may take 10 minutes or longer.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens