Chocolate Raspberry Cake has irresistible layers of chocolate cake, fresh raspberry cream, ganache & raspberries.
Whether you make this cake for a special event or simply as an eye-catching dessert to serve with supper, it will attract both friends and family.
This Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake is one of my favorites because of the chocolate and raspberry cream layers. My Chocolate Harvest Cake inspired this recipe.
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While the chocolate harvest cake, which has layers of chocolate cake and pumpkin mousse filling, is incredibly delicious, I will only make it in the fall.
So, I took the idea of that cake and made a raspberry filling instead. Delicious!
Tips to making the perfect chocolate cake
This chocolate cake with raspberries has light, fluffy layers but is decadent enough to satisfy your chocolate cravings—a perfect balance.
more delicious cake recipes we love
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Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 1 cup buttermilk or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice stir together and let it sit for 5 minutes
- 1 cup water
- 2/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Raspberry Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup raspberry preserves
- 1/4 cup sugar
Ganache
- ½ cup whipping cream
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate chips I use Nestle Toll House
- 8 ounces fresh raspberries for topping
Instructions
Chocolate Cake
- Preheat oven to 350º F.
- Lightly spray two or three, depending on what look you are going for, 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and lightly dust with flour, tapping with a spoon to remove excess; set aside.
- In mixing bowl, add buttermilk, water, oil, 2 cups sugar, eggs, baking soda and salt; stir together until it is well combined. Add in flour and cocoa powder and whisk until smooth and there are no lumps. This batter is runny don’t stress, instead lick the bowl clean.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pan(s).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes (3 pans) or 30-35 minutes (2 pans), or until you can lightly touch the center and it springs back. Cool pans on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes, then remove cake and allow to completely cool on the wire rack. Once cooled prepare filling.
Raspberry Cream Cheese Filling
- In a mixing bowl beat together cream cheese, raspberry preserves, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar until well combined and thick.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate, I like to use a cake stand.
- 3 Layer Cake – Evenly spread the 1/2 of the filling on top of the bottom layer, then add the second cake on top. Add the remaining filling and add the last cake on top.
- 2 Layer Cake – Evenly spread the filling on top of the bottom layer, then add the second cake on top.
- Make the ganache.
Ganache
- In a small sauce pan add the whipping cream and bring to a boil, remove from heat and add in chocolate chips. Do not mix or stir them in, let the chocolate sit for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Let it cool for about 15 minutes, then pour over cake, allowing it to slowly drip down the sides. Top with fresh raspberries, as many or as little as you would like. Set the cake in the fridge and let it chill for 30 minutes, until cake is set.
- You are now ready to serve, enjoy and indulge!
What a fun cake – that filling is delicious!
This cake is seriously my dream cake!
I can’t WAIT to try this recipe! It looks so so so good!
Those layers are amazing! Love the chocolate and raspberry together!
Thank you!
This cake looks delicious! I love raspberries and chocolate together and can’t wait to try it.
It’s such a great combo! Enjoy!
This cake is totally gorgeous! I can almost taste it right through my screen!
Thank you!
Chocolate and raspberry is my favorite flavor combo! This recipe is just perfect. So delicious!
I totally agree it’s the best! Thank you!
Nice Post.Keep It Up.
This is the perfect cake to celebrate Julianne – and I wouldn’t mind a slice myself 🙂
This layer cake looks amazing! I love the combo of chocolate and rasberries!
Thank you! It is a perfect combo for sure!
Oh my gosh this is a gorgeous cake!! Those layers and decadent combo with raspberries. In love and so perfect for a celebration!!
Thank you, enjoy!
Wow! I so want to lick my screen, Sandra! This cake looks incredible and I know it tastes nothing short of delicious. You can bake it for me ANYTIME, girl!
This is amazing! I have no words! I will definitely remember this recipe for my upcoming holiday)
I hope you enjoy it!
Hi
If I use fresh raspberries how many? I’m thinking 2 cups maybe, and should I boil them with the sugar ahead of adding to the cream cheese so they are a bit more like a preserve? Any advice is helpful! My cakes turned out gorgeous!
Hi Emily! A cup of raspberries usually will make a cup of preserves, so to make 1/2 cup of preserves you won’t need that many! I would boil them with extra sugar just like you’re making preserves before making the filling for the best texture results. I hope you enjoy! Let us know how it turns out.
I really want to try the raspberry filling on a lemon cake. The recipe just says sugar. Is that just regular granulated sugar or confectioners sugar you use?
Hi Allyson! That is regular granulated sugar used in the filling. That sounds like such a delicious combo! Let us know how it turns out.
My Family Loved it. I am definitely sharing Guys, Thanks For sharing this Great Recipe. this recipe and this website with my friend. Hope they also love it. Thank you again for sharing such a great recipe.
The raspberry frosting is to die for! My sister asked me to make this again for her upcoming Birthday!
So decadent and delicious! A fantastic dessert
My family loves sweet! I made one last night for my brother’s birthday and my family loved it!
Yum!!! This Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake is such a great dessert idea. Love it!
This is so rich and delicious! I’ll probably make it again for my birthday!
This cake did not disappoint and was such a huge hit. My hubby and daughter were all over this recipe. Such a delicious and very yummy cake! I will be making this again!
Such a fabulous cake!! SO rich and moist! YUM!
I would love a slice of the amazing cake!! I LOVE the flavors!! YUM!
This is making me hungry and I just ate!
You’re so right, these layers are the best!