The Dreamiest Blackberry Velvet Cake — A Pure Fantasy in Every Bite

 Ingredients

For the Blackberry Cake:

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1¾ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 1½ cups fresh blackberries, lightly mashed
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, but recommended)
• A few drops purple food coloring (optional, for that signature velvet hue)

For the Blackberry Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 3½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup fresh blackberries, cooked down and strained
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

For Garnish (Optional but Lovely):

• Fresh blackberries
• Edible flowers
• Fresh mint leaves

 Instructions

see continuation on next page