Aronia Chocolate Cake

A delicious aronia chocolate cake with fresh aronia berries on top

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

  • ½ cup vegetable oil

  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 cup aronia berries (fresh or frozen)

  • ½ cup hot water

For the Frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar

  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  • ¼ cup heavy cream

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • ½ cup aronia berry puree (blend aronia berries and strain to remove seeds)

Optional Garnish:

  • Fresh aronia berries

  • Chocolate shavings

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Cake:

    1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.

    2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder.

    3. In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.

    4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.

    5. Fold in the aronia berries gently.

    6. Add the hot water to the batter and mix until smooth. The batter will be thin.

    7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.

    8. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.

    9. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.

  2. Prepare the Frosting:

    1. In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy.

    2. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, beating until well combined.

    3. Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and aronia berry puree. Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.

    4. If the frosting is too thick, add more heavy cream a tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

  3. Assemble the Cake:

    1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a layer of frosting on top.

    2. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.

    3. Garnish with fresh aronia berries and chocolate shavings if desired.

  4. Serve and Enjoy:

    1. Slice and serve the cake at room temperature.

    2. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.