BLACKBERRY CAKE

Ingredients
Cake
3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (360g)
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
1/2 cup canola or mild vegetable oil (120ml)
1 3/4 cups granulated white sugar (350g)
3 large eggs
3/4 cup milk (180ml)
3/4 cup blackberry juice (180ml)
Frosting and filling
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature (340g)
1 1/2 cups cream cheese, room temperature (340g)
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted (360g)
2-4 tbsp blackberry juice (30-60ml)
3-4 cups fresh blackberries (450-600g)

Instructions
cake
Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line the bottom and the sides of two 8" (20cm) baking pans with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt and stir to combine. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl with a stand or a handheld mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat butter, oil, and sugar on medium speed until creamy for about 2 minutes.

Add 1 egg at the time and mix until fully incorporated.

Alternately add dry ingredients, milk, dry ingredients, blackberry juice, and end with dry ingredients. Stir just until combined. *

Divide batter into the two prepared baking pans equally. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Don't overbake or the cake will be dry. Let cool to room temperature.

frosting
In a large mixing bowl, using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, whisk butter on medium speed until creamy.

Add cream cheese and whisk until smooth and combined.

Sift in powdered sugar and stir until well combined and creamy.

Add 1 tbsp blackberry juice at the time and stir until smooth and creamy. The frosting should be creamy but firm enough to frost the cake with an offset spatula. If the frosting is too soft, add more powdered sugar. If the frosting is too firm, add more blackberry juice.

assembling
Cut a thin layer off the tops of your cakes to create a flat surface if needed. Then cut each cake layer in half horizontally. You will have 4 cake layers.

Place one cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread about 1/8 of the frosting over the cake. Layer with 1/3 of the blackberries and spread 1/8 of the frosting over the blackberries. Repeat two more times.

Place the last cake layer on top and lightly frost the outside and the sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Chill in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Before serving, decorate with fresh berries to your preference. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.