Our lemon tree is bursting at the seams with beautiful bright and fragrant lemons, which tells me it’s time to make lemon cake. Not any lemon cake would do however, I wanted to mix things up…or swirl things up more like it. I added simple blackberry compote to the center of my favorite lemon cake recipe and that day we feasted on Blackberry Lemon Cake.
Perfect with tea, lovely on it's own, and completely appropriate for serving at a brunch, baby shower, Easter party or spring fling. This bright and cheery cake is moist, sweet and delicious.
photos by Leah Bergman
Blackberry Lemon Cake: adapted from Barefoot Contessa
Lemon Cake
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup plain whole milk yogurt or 1 cup sour cream *I have made this cake with both yogurt and sour cream...both are delicious.
1 ⅓ cups sugar, divided
3 extra-large eggs
grated zest of 2 lemons- about 2 tsp
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ cup vegetable oil
⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Blackberry Compote
2 ½ cups frozen blackberries
½ cup sugar
2 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoon water
pinch of salt
Directions:
1. In a sauce pan add 2 cups blackberries, sugar, lemon juice, water and salt. Cook over medium high heat about 10 minutes, bringing to a bubble. Lower heat and cook an additional 15 minutes. Using an immersion blender, puree mixture and press through a fine mesh sieve to strain out seeds. Mix in remaining ½ cup whole blackberries and set aside to cool completely.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 ½ by 4 ¼ by 2 ½-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease and flour the pan. This will make for easy removal of the cake!
3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into 1 bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, the eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. With a rubber spatula, fold the vegetable oil into the batter, making sure it’s all incorporated.
4. Pour half of the lemon batter into the prepared pan. Cover evenly with ½ cup of the cooled blackberry compote. Pour over the remaining lemon cake batter and swirl layers together with a knife.
5. Bake for about 60-70 minutes, or until a cake tester placed in the center of the loaf comes out clean. If the edges of the loaf are getting too dark, tent lightly with foil.
6. Meanwhile, cook the ⅓ cup lemon juice and remaining ⅓ cup sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Set aside.
7. When the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully place on a baking rack over a sheet pan. While the cake is still warm, pour the lemon-sugar mixture over the cake and allow it to soak in. Cool, eat and enjoy!
Note: Make sure to save the extra blackberry compote in a mason jar and store in the refrigerator. It's great poured over pancakes or vanilla ice cream!
A Bowl Of Mush says
Love this combination, looks yummy!
julia @ life on churchill says
this looks amazing! Only problem is I'd want to eat the whole thing. Saving the recipe to try soon!
Eleanor says
Yum!
Barefoot Contessa recipes are always amazing!
Jackie says
I agree with Julia - I would not be able to have this cake in my house and not eat the entire thing. I am such a big an of anything lemon!
xo Jackie
http://www.FoodWineFashion.com
lexi (@glitterinclexi) says
This looks and sounds absolutely delicious! And I'm with Julia and Jackie - I'd devour the whole thing.
Lexi @ Glitter, Inc.
Alyssa Longobucco says
I love anything with lemon in it, and this seems amazing. I love the addition of blackberries!
brandyjrammel says
I am going to my family's lake house for Easter and I think this recipe needs to come with me. My husband loves anything with berries and I adore lemons. Can't wait, thanks!
brandy j | http://www.prettyplainjanes.com
thefauxmartha says
Leah, that glaze looks perfect! Hungry.
Chelsea says
YUM! I love lemon cake and adding blackberries was the perfect touch here. Can't wait to try this recipe!
xoxo,
Chelsea & The City
Christmaskitty says
Do you know that every time you post a new baked treat I cross my fingers that you will bring me some? Well, I will see you tonight and I wouldn't be opposed to a loaf of this deliciousness. Just sayin'...
jacquelyn | lark&linen says
This sounds most excellent and is EXACTLY what I'm craving. I've been doing a three day juice cleanse and purposefully trying to avoid your site for this very reason...
Patricia says
I'm so trying this later today! xx
rox says
OMg. totalllllyyy pinned this. I def want to try this!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says
SO jealous that you have a lemon tree. And this cake looks wonderful, obviously.