Ooh la la! My dear daughter made me this cake for my birthday celebration. Several years ago she made this cake and I LOVED it. When she asked what one I'd like, it didn't take me long to request this beauty. Doesn't it look like it came from a bakery?? I love how she used fresh raspberries on top with a sprinkling of cocoa. It's a very rich cake and you don't need much to enjoy the outstanding flavor and texture of it.
For my birthday tea, I'm having a slice of cake with a cup of raspberry tea. I'm burning a lavender candle that a dear son and daughter-in-law gave me awhile back. My sweet sister sent me the teapot lamp for my birthday.
The tea cup painted with violets was one from my great aunt's collection and is from Bavaria.
Isn't this a pretty pattern for the month of February?
Wish I could share a slice with you! |
for the cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cocoa powder (I used Hershey's Special Dark)
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup canola oil
1 tsp. white vinegar
1 cup hot coffee (hot water will work too)
for the filling
1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
for the frosting
1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
2 cups marshmallow cream
1/4 tsp. almond extract
6 Tbsp. confectioners' sugar
Prepare the cake:
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter 2 8x2-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper, grease the paper, and then flour the pans (gently tap out any excess flour.)
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the eggs, vanilla, sour cream, oil, vinegar, and hot coffee (or hot water). Using a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon, mix everything together until the batter is smooth.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepare pans and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a thin knife inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for about 20 minutes before releasing them onto cooling racks. Cool completely before adding the filling and frosting. [Note: Cake can be made in advance. Well covered, the baked cakes can be refrigerated for 2 days, or frozen for a month.]
Prepare the filling:
In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with paddle attachment (or any large mixing bowl, if using hand-held beaters), beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy (about 3-5 minutes). Add the raspberry jam and beat to combine. Turn the mixer down to low speed, and add the confectioners' sugar. Beat until smooth. Cover and set aside until ready to use. [Note: You can make this a day in advance, just be sure to cover it well and to keep it refrigerated.]
Prepare the frosting:
In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with paddle attachment (or any large mixing bowl, if using hand-held beaters), beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy (about 3-5 minutes). Add the melted, cooled chocolate and beat until well combined and fluffy. On medium-speed, add the marshmallow cream, almond extract, and confectioners' sugar. Once everything is combined, increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the smooth and fluffy. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes. [Note: The frosting can also be made a day in advance, just be sure to keep it well covered and chilled until ready to use.]
Assemble the cake:
If the cakes have domed tops, use a serrated knife to gently slice off a thin layer...just enough to give them an even surface. If the raspberry cream filling has been in the refrigerator, give it a good stir to soften it up a bit. (If it's too stiff, leave it covered at room temperature until spreadable.) Spread the raspberry cream over one of the cake layer. Place the other layer on top of the filling. Frost the rest of the cake (top and sides) with the chocolate buttercream.
This pretty hankie was sent to me from a sweet blogging friend!
I am sharing this with:
Hi, I'm a new follower and I just love your blog. Happy Birthday !!!
ReplyDeleteThat cake looks so delicious and you've got some very nice presents.
Have a wonderful day.
Happy Birthday, Kitty! Your cake looks fantastic. Wish I had a slice right now. I really like your aunt's teacup too. It is beautiful, and I noticed the handkerchief matches. I enjoyed your post today.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Beth
Happy Birthday sweet Kitty! Your cake is luxious and pretty too. Wish I was going to your B'day party!! Darling teacup and pretty hanky. Enjoy your special day. Today is also our 38th. Anniversary..we'll go out to dinner. Big hugs,
ReplyDeleteFABBY
Oh I wish you could share a piece with me too! Such a beautiful cake Kitty, love your pretty tea cup and saucer! Happy B-Day:@)
ReplyDeleteYour cake looks so delicious. i love raspberries. Happy birthday Kitty!
ReplyDelete~Clara
Oh Kitty! that is the most beautiful looking cake!
ReplyDeleteMary x
I am so impressed with this gorgeous and decadant cake!!! Oh, I would give anything to have a piece myself, ha! Your daughter has done a marvelous job making you such a birthday cake. I would love to make it sometime, too! The tea cup and saucer is beautiful, and how special for it to come from Bavaria! Enjoy:)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Leslie
A very happy birthday to you, Kitty! The cake your daughter made you is spectacular... it does look like it came from a bakery. YUMMY!
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks decadent Kitty, a very small slice for me please. I like the teapot lamp and the pretty hankie from your friend.
ReplyDeleteJudith
Wow! That's a spectacular cake, Kitty! Your daughter must share some of your talent in the kitchen! Happy belated birthday, sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet daughter you have! Her cake looks yummy. Love the February tea-time vignette... teapot lamp, lavender candle, beautiful teacup with violets, linen handkerchief, and slice of decadent cake! Hope you've been enjoying your birthday month.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and delicious looking cake! It does look like it's from a bakery! Sounds like you had a wonderful celebration! Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Happy Birthday, dear friend! Your birtday tea is so beautiful with that gorgous teacup and cake! Your daughter is taking after her Moma! Wish I was near to help you celebrate your birthday! Wishing you a wonderful year!
ReplyDeleteNancy
Your cake and tea set are both unreal. I would love a piece and a nice cup of tea. Thanks tons for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteJust look at that wonderful filling in the cake! And nice and thick just how I like it. Happy Birthday dear friend! I'm glad you were surrounded by everything you love.
ReplyDeleteYour cake sounds delightful and the cup and saucer are really pretty. Kitty, thanks for linking this to Friends Sharing Tea.
ReplyDeleteDear Kitty,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all~ Happy Birthday!!!! With a cake like that and a daughter who made it for you, I believe it was happy.
I noticed how the handkerchief and the teacup matched too. Pretty neat.
All the best, Ruthie from: http://www.ladybstimefortea.blogspot.com
OK, that cake looks absolutely delicious. I pinned it in hopes to actually try to make it some day. On top of that, I love your tea cup. I'm so crazy fond of things like that. They just make the tea taste better, IMO.
ReplyDeleteEverything is beautiful! I believe in celebrating my birthday all month long. I hope you do the same!
ReplyDeleteKitty~ Happy Belated Birthday to you! Your DIL's cake looks DIVINE! Your teacup is lovely with your new hankie :)
ReplyDeleteHi lovely lady.
ReplyDeleteYour Blog is so Beautiful !! I also would like to wish you a Happy Birthday. Your cake looks so Yummy. I hope you have a wonderful week with your family.
XXOO Diane
So pretty. I love the sweet teacup and the hankie.. so pretty. Love the cake!!! Must try it myself.. xo marlis
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have a slice of that cake - looks delish! The cup and saucer are just lovely and so dainty - happy birthday to you!
ReplyDeleteNow, that's my idea of a cup of tea! How totally elegant!
ReplyDeleteJenna
Happy Birthday Kitty!! What a wonderful gift from your daughter, your cake looks fabulous! You always leave me wanting to spend more time in the kitchen!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteOh my...your cake looks delicious.
And I'm totally smitten over that lamp.
Everything is beautiful!
Chocolate and violets make for a fabulous post. Happy Birthday, Kitty.
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, that cake looks AMAZING! And what a pretty setting you designed for enjoying it! The little teapot lamp is the cutest!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet (ha, ha!) post. I love violets and your teacup and hankie are lovely. The cake looks amazing, but anything chocolate usually calls to me, anyway. Obviously, your daughter takes after you!!
ReplyDeleteMy mouth is now watering profusely after eyeing that wonderful-looking cake.....AND that gorgeous teacup and saucer too! Beautiful! Hope you had a great Birthday! =D
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Kitty...that cake looks to die for!
ReplyDeleteHi Kitty,
ReplyDeleteOh wow, what a yummy looking cake!!! I love chocolate and I love raspberries, so this looks like a winner to me. :) This is one of my favorite tables that you've done. That teapot lamp is darling, and I love the cup and saucer and the gorgeous hankie. What sweet gifts you've received. BTW, Happy Belated Birthday, dear friend!
I'm seeing so much lavender and purple everywhere now; it makes me happy. When I was a young girl, those were some of my favorite colors. And little wood violets are a favorite flower of mine. Now I'm going to have to get something lavender for our home -- such a pretty color.
Thanks for sharing this recipe, Kitty, and have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Denise at Forest Manor
Good Morning Kitty,
ReplyDeleteI hope it was the best birthday ever! What a lovely presentation for that beautiful tea table and fabulous cake. That cake looks delicious! Hope you are having a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
I love the layers in your cake! Hope you had a great day!
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday! I am a March girl too, mine is tomorrow and there is a big storm headed our way!
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks wonderful and the tea lamp is so cute! Lovely cup too!
Thanks for linking to Let's Dish!
Oh yum! Beautiful! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDeleteSherry