Print

Vanilla Raspberry Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4 from 41 reviews

Tender vanilla cake layers are filled with bright, homemade raspberry jam and covered in tangy raspberry cream cheese frosting. Fresh raspberries add a beautiful finishing touch to this celebration-worthy layer cake.

Ingredients

Vanilla Cake

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Raspberry Jam Filling

  • 2 cups raspberries, fresh or frozen
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, slightly cold
  • 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 ounce freeze-dried raspberries, finely ground
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream

For Decorating

  • Fresh raspberries, as needed

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pans and oven.

    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray two 8-inch cake pans with nonstick baking spray, line their bottoms with parchment paper rounds, and spray the parchment.

  2. Mix the dry ingredients.

    Sift the flour into a medium bowl. Whisk in the baking powder, baking soda, and salt, then set the mixture aside.

  3. Cream the butter, oil, and sugar.

    Using a mixer, beat the butter, oil, and granulated sugar on high speed for about 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Mix in the sour cream and vanilla.

  4. Add the eggs.

    Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on medium speed after each addition until incorporated.

  5. Finish the cake batter.

    With the mixer on low, add one-third of the dry ingredients, followed by half of the buttermilk. Add another third of the dry ingredients and the remaining buttermilk, then mix in the final third of the dry ingredients just until combined.

  6. Fill the pans.

    Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.

  7. Bake and cool the cake layers.

    Bake for 27–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

  8. Cook the raspberries.

    While the cakes cool, combine the raspberries, sugar, lemon juice, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the berries soften, then mash them.

  9. Strain and thicken the jam.

    Press the mashed berries through a fine-mesh sieve and discard the seeds. Return the strained mixture to the saucepan, stir in the cornstarch, and cook until thickened. Transfer the jam to a bowl and cool completely.

  10. Prepare the frosting ingredients.

    Let the butter sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes so it is slightly softened but still cool. Sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl. Grind the freeze-dried raspberries in a food processor, then stir the powder into the powdered sugar.

  11. Make the raspberry frosting.

    Beat the cream cheese and butter on high speed for 3 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and ground raspberries and mix until combined. The frosting will be thick. Add the vanilla, salt, and heavy cream, then beat on high until smooth and spreadable.

  12. Level the cake layers.

    Use a serrated knife to trim the domed tops from the completely cooled cake layers. Secure the first layer to a cake board or serving plate with a small dab of frosting.

  13. Fill the cake.

    Spread about 1 cup of frosting over the first cake layer. Pipe a border of frosting around the edge to contain the filling, then spread the cooled raspberry jam inside the border.

  14. Stack and chill the cake.

    Place the second cake layer on top with its flat bottom facing up. Spread a thin crumb coat of frosting over the cake and freeze for 15 minutes.

  15. Frost and finish.

    Cover the chilled cake with the remaining frosting and decorate with fresh raspberries. Freeze for another 15 minutes before serving so the frosting can set.

Notes

  • For the best cake texture, bring the eggs, buttermilk, and sour cream to room temperature before mixing.
  • Frozen raspberries work well for the jam; they do not need to be thawed first.
  • Cool the cake layers and raspberry jam completely before assembling, or the frosting may soften and the filling may slide.
  • Use freeze-dried raspberries for the frosting, not fresh or frozen berries; fresh berries add too much moisture.
  • Store the assembled cake covered in the refrigerator because the frosting contains cream cheese. Let slices sit at room temperature briefly before serving for the best texture.