Chocolate Lavender Blueberry Mini Layer Cakes. When no words are needed.
Humble Me
Hi, friends! I’m so pumped today because I’m sharing one of the most interesting recipes I’ve tried this year. Also, I’m absolutely proud of my work. Even though it’s still June, I believe these Chocolate Lavender Blueberry Mini Layer Cakes will be among 5 best recipes I’ve shared of this year.
As you see, I’m still that old humble Ben you’ve known for a few years.
Last week I posted the recipe for these Chocolate Amaretto Mini Layer Cakes I made for my birthday. I also announced the second cake would be coming shortly. I even hinted that it would be about the L…R world.
Unfortunately, nobody seems to have figured my puzzle out. That’s fine, though. I understand. That was a hard task. Indeed, what kind of connection would anyone see between me, this blog, and lavender?
These Chocolate Lavender Blueberry Mini Layer Cakes turned out to be Andrey’s favorite. No wonder. If the Amaretto cakes being still delicious, had the more classic flavor, these guys were more sophisticated.
What was special about these cakes?
Chocolate Lavender Blueberry Mini Layer Cakes
First if all, the biscuit which turned out super chocolate and moist, with a creamy, fudgy texture. I can compare it with good brownies. Look how silky they look! However, keep in mind if you’re not a fan of a fudgy kind of brownies, bake the cake for additional 5-7 minutes. It won’t be like a sponge cake, though.
Secondly, the tart and luscious blueberry curd perfectly balanced out the sweetness of the chocolate. I only partially strained the curd, so some berries were bursting in the mouth.
Lastly, this lavender cream cheese frosting was that mild, rich, and decadent bridge between all parts of the cakes. It perfectly balanced the rich chocolate biscuit and luscious curd. As the matter of fact, lavender and chocolate are great friends. Lavender goes well with blueberries too (Check this Coconut Blueberry Lavender Ice Cream).
Altogether, these flavors and textures make an elegant combination. That’s like an explosion!
I might not be fully satisfied with the way these Chocolate Lavender Blueberry Mini Layer Cakes look, but as I always say, I don’t have enough skills, imagination, and patience to fabulously decorate cakes. Besides, there’s one good excuse I love to stick. In my book, homemade cakes have to be imperfect :)
However, I still tried to manage some kind of ombré decor by mixing curd and frosting. Failed I or not, you tell me. Just remember that too much truth may upset me, and I won’t ship you any of these delicious Chocolate Lavender Blueberry Mini Layer Cakes :)
Notes
havocinthekitchen.com
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups cake flour, sifted
- 1 cup golden sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- good pinch of salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Blueberry Curd
- 5 egg yolks
- 150 gr butter
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar (or more, to taste)
- juice of one lemon
- 2 cups of frozen blueberries
Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/3 cup softened butter
- 2/3 cup cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
- 3-4 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon of lavender extract, or to taste
Additionally
- Cacao powder, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
Chocolate Cake
- Preheat oven to 175 degrees C (350 degrees F).Spray and slightly flour a large baking sheet (you can use two or three different pans to make the layers thicker and cut the layers in half).
- In a large bowl sift and mix together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, soda, and salt. Stir in the sugar.
- Add the milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla and mix together with a mixer on medium speed until well combined.
- Reduce speed and carefully add the boiling water to the batter. Beet on high speed for about 2 minutes to add air to the batter.
- Evenly spread the batter on the prepared sheet. Bake for about 15-20 minutes depending on thickness. Check with a wooden stick inserted in the center - it should come out slightly covered in chocolate, with some moist crumbs. Bake it longer if you prefer a drier cake.
- Remove the cake from the oven and completely cool. It's better to leave it for at least few hours or better overnight. Once the biscuit is cool, cut it with a round-shape cookie cutter leaving as less leftovers as possible.
Blueberry Curd
- In a medium, heavy bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the blueberries, lemon juice, sugar, and yolks.
- Cook at medium heat, stirring frequently with a whisk and and mashing the berries, until thickened, for about 10 minutes.
- Cool and strain if desired.
- Keep the curd refrigerated (You will use just a little part for the cakes)
Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese and butter beating with a mixer at low speed, 1 minute.
- Gradually add the cocoa powder and confectioner's sugar continue beating, about 2 minutes.
- Add the lavender and beat for another 15 seconds.
Assembling
- To assemble the cakes, take one round base and spread some (1-2 teaspoons) of the cream cheese frosting.
- Place the second layer and spread some blueberry curd.
- Place the last biscuit and spread or pipe some cream cheese frosting. You can also place some curd on top. Spread some frosting and curd over the assembled cakes (from the outside) and mix them to reach some kind of ombre effect.
- Dust with some cacao if desired.
- Refrigerate the cakes for a few hours.
- Enjoy!
Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
I can I double ot make a larger cake?
Seems like a lavender king is back. Lavender and blueberry are a lovely combo. This mini layer cake looks so pretty and so inviting. And I am loving that blueberry curd. Happy birthday again. :)
Anu – My Ginger Garlic Kitchen recently posted…Eggless Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream | Video Recipe
I LOVE the combination of lavender and blueberry (I actually have a lavender blueberry truffle recipe on my site), but how have I never thought of that combination in cake? Especially these adorable minis! What a perfect dessert.
Marissa recently posted…Spinach Salad with Honey Black Pepper Dressing
Blueberry lavender truffle sounds delicious. Thank you, Marissa!
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Chocolate Lavender Blueberry Mini Layer Cakes
Your cake are truly gorgeous, such a creative combination, plus the decoration is truly adorable :)
The-FoodTrotter recently posted…The Pink City: Escapade in Toulouse / La Ville rose: Échappée toulousaine
Thank you very much!
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Prune Cherry Brandy Ice Cream
I love these!! They’re so chocolate-y and rich looking and yet so elegant. Beautiful work! Have a great weekend Ben!
Katherine | Love In My Oven recently posted…Trail Mix Popcorn
Ben!! are you still eating cake!! can you adopt me? I’ll do the dishes! These cakes are so pretty and look so rich at the same time! I have to do these at home, they will not be as pretty as yours I’m sure, but I’ll bet delicious any how! Have a great weekend!
Gaila recently posted…Cocido Madrileño or simply cocido
I’m loving the back to back chocolate mini cake recipes!! My bday is next month and I need someone to make a platter of a bunch of these for me (with a fork). There is nothing better in the entire universe than a fudgy chocolate cake with chocolatey buttercream. I think I wished you a happy bday in the last post but if I didn’t, Happy Bday!! ;)
karrie @ Tasty Ever After recently posted…Easy Herb Crusted Steak + Chimichurri with Dorot
One of the FIVE BEST this year?! Get outta here. ;) Kidding! This LOOKS like it is one of the best things you’ve made this year! Plus you are featuring your best friend lavender, so it HAS to be absolutely delicious, right?! You know I’m allergic to cocoa, and I’m kicking myself right now for that! This cake looks soo decadent, Ben! And I just LOVE that it’s mini!! AND the combination of chocolate, lavender and blueberry sounds phenomenal! Cheers, bud!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Homemade Bacon, Bourbon & Brown Sugar Baked Beans
Oh my word Ben. These are some of the prettiest little cakes I’ve ever seen! And they sound so tasty! But I’d eat a cake made of cardboard if it had a little chocolate on top so I might be biased :). I’m loving the blueberry curd too. Fruit curds are just too good! Have a great weekend!
First things first – Ben – HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY!!! I’m sorry I missed it – I have some catching up to do on your blog! Now – onto these Chocolate Lavender Blueberry Mini Layer Cakes – my heavens! These are GORGEOUS! But that’s not all – these sound so decadently delicious, my humble friend! Wow – that fudgy chocolate cake … that tart and luscious blueberry curd…and that stunning lavender cream cheese frosting!! I’m swooning over here! What a fantastic recipe this is Ben – I hope it tops your most popular recipes on here!
These cakes look so rich and delicious…even if they do include lavender. Haha! Funny story: Laura and I went out to eat the other night, and the restaurant had lavender creme brulee on the dessert menu. I seriously thought about you! In fact, you should just come down and eat that dessert…that way you can tell me whether it’s worth ordering next time we go. :-) Or perhaps you could show them how to make these mini cakes? I bet they would do well on the dessert menu! If you would like me to try them out, then just drop ’em in the mail to me. I’ll be honest!
David @ Spiced recently posted…Grilled Balsamic Chicken with Burst Tomatoes