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Perfect Celebration Layer Cake Recipe with Easy Berry Compote Topping

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A moist and tender layered cake with a bright, tangy berry compote topping and whipped cream, perfect for any celebration or last-minute dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (450g) mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream, cold
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • Fresh berries for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Grease and flour two 8-inch pans or line with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter with granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  7. While cakes bake, combine mixed berries, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until berries release juice and mixture simmers, about 8 minutes.
  8. Mix cornstarch with cold water and stir into simmering berries. Cook for 2 more minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
  9. In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Keep cold until assembly.
  10. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread whipped cream, then spoon berry compote over it. Add second cake layer and repeat layers of whipped cream and compote.
  11. Spread whipped cream on top and sides of cake. Drizzle remaining berry compote over the top and garnish with fresh berries if desired.
  12. Chill cake for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Do not overmix batter to keep cake tender. Chill whipped cream bowl before whipping. Simmer berry compote gently to preserve texture. If compote is too runny, add more cornstarch slurry and simmer again. Trim cake layers if domed unevenly for neat stacking.

Nutrition

Keywords: layer cake, berry compote, celebration cake, easy cake recipe, whipped cream, birthday cake, dessert

Find it online: https://milaspoon.com/perfect-celebration-layer-cake-recipe-with-easy-berry-compote-topping/