Cakes

Berry Bourbon Cake (Patriotic cake)

Happy Inauguration Day folks!

Today was a historic day in America as we saw our first woman be sworn in as Vice President. And let me tell ya, that left me pretty emotional. To celebrate, I donned my “I’m speaking” shirt and got to work on this patriotic cake. With a splash of bourbon, this cake really feels like a celebration cake. This recipe is so easy, you could whip it out for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day!

Tips and Tricks

  • This cake doesn’t have a frosting, so I recommend topping with whipped cream
  • To make the cake extra special, make your own whipped cream by combining 3 cups whipping cream, 1 cup white sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt and whipping at medium-high speed for 3 minutes. Super easy to do, and really makes a difference, I swear!
  • You can substitute any berries you’d like! I used raspberries and blueberries, but I’d love to try strawberries or blackberries next time.
  • Normally, I replace unsalted butter with salted butter, but the chemistry of cake is more precise than it is for cookies. Don’t mess with chemistry, friends.
  • For cakes, you’ll definitely want to use a standing mixer. I just got one (and named her Martha!) and she has changed my life.
  • In case you need reminding – once you have added the flour do not over mix the batter. Seriously. Stop mixing about 5 seconds before you really think you need to. You want that cake fluffy as hell.

Ingredients

  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1 3/4 cups flour
  • 1 3/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 tsp. bourbon
  • 2/3 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • Sanding sugar for sprinkling
  • Whipped Cream for topping

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Butter a 9-inch round cake pan, line bottom of pan with parchment paper, and butter parchment
  3. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt
  4. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and both sugars on medium-high speed until light and creamy (~3 minutes)
  5. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well in between
  6. Add bourbon, mixing well
  7. Add milk and flour mixture and mix until just combined (hey you – don’t over mix that damn cake!)
  8. Pour into the cake pan, smoothing top with a spoon or spatula
  9. Sprinkle with both berries, pressing some deep into the batter.
  10. Sprinkle generously with sugar (make it rain, baby!)
  11. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the sides pull away from the pan and the cake springs back when lightly touched
  12. Cool completely, top with whipped cream, and enjoy!

This cake is one of the easiest I have made from scratch, and can be whipped up in no time! I believe in you!

Happy Baking!

-R