Chocolate Raspberry Cake

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Raspberry Cake:

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed

• 2 and 3/4 cups PLUS 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided

• 1 and 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

• 3 teaspoons baking soda

• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 and 1/4 teaspoons salt

• 3 large eggs + 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature

• 1 and 1/2 cups full-fat sour cream

• 1/3 cup whole milk

• 3/4 cup vegetable oil (you may also sub in melted coconut oil)

• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

• 1 and 1/2 cups hot water

• 2 and 1/2 cups raspberries, fresh or frozen, if using frozen, do not thaw first

For the Chocolate Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, VERY soft

• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks or 8 ounces), VERY soft

• 4 and 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 3 tablespoons heavy cream (more if needed)

• 2 tablespoons seedless raspberry preserves

Garnish:

• 1/2 cup raspberry preserves

• Fresh raspberries, optional

• Shaved chocolate, optional

Instructions

For the Chocolate Raspberry Cake:

• Preheat oven to 350°(F). Cut out three 9-inch round segments of parchment paper to line your cake pans with. Spray each pan generously - sides and bottom - with nonstick cooking spray, then place the parchment paper cut out in the bottom of the pans and spray again. It's important to make sure every bit of pan and paper are sprayed so your cakes don't get stuck. Set pans aside.

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, combine both sugars, 2 and 3/4 cups of the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt; mix on low until dry ingredients are thoroughly combined.

• Use your hands to break up any large clumps, if needed.

• In a separate bowl combine the eggs, egg yolks, sour cream, milk, oil and vanilla extract; mix until completely combined.

• Pour mixture into the dry ingredients and beat on low until just incorporated. Pour in hot water and continue mixing until completely combined; about 1 minute. The batter will quite thin.

• In a medium bowl, gently toss the raspberries with remaining 2 tablespoons of flour. Add the raspberries, and any remaining flour, into the batter and fold in by hand, using a rubber spatula, until just combined. Again, be sure not to over mix! Over mixing is very easy to do, and will result in a dry, dense cake.

• Divide batter evenly among prepared pans.

• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.

• Cool cakes for 10 minutes in the pan before removing from pans and transferring to a cooling rack; cool cakes completely before frosting.

For the Chocolate Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting:

• In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter on medium-speed until completely smooth; about 3 minutes.

• Turn the mixer off and sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder into the mixing bowl.

• With the mixer on the lowest speed, mix until the sugar and cocoa have been absorbed by the butter; about 2 minutes.

• Increase mixer speed to medium; add in vanilla extract, salt, heavy cream and raspberry preserves; beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting appears too thin, add a little more confectioners' sugar; If your frosting appears too thick, add additional heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Assembly:

• Using a serrated knife, carefully trim the raised top of each cake, making each one an even, level surface.

• Transfer 1 layer to a large plate or cake stand.

• Spread a layer of frosting on top, then spread a 1/4 cup of raspberry preserves on top. Don't worry if they blend together a little!

• Top with another cake layer, and repeat, spreading it with a layer of frosting, then adding remaining 1/4 cup of raspberry preserves.

• Top with final cake layer and place cake in the fridge to set for 30 minutes.

• Once set, finishing frosting the top and sides of the cake. Garnish with fresh raspberries and chocolate shavings.

• Slice and serve, or keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.