Best Raspberry Cream Cake Recipes

LEMON AND RASPBERRY CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch round cake pan with baking spray. Line the bottom with a piece of parchment and spray again.
• Put the raspberries in a bowl and add the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Mash well and let sit a few minutes for the juices to release. Press through a mesh strainer to remove the seeds. Remove 2 teaspoons of the raspberry syrup for the frosting and set aside. Reserve the remaining raspberry syrup for the batter.
• In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the eggs with the remaining 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the cream, vanilla, lemon zest and remaining raspberry syrup.
• Sift together the cake flour, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the batter in 3 additions, mixing between each addition until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool completely, then turn out onto a cake stand or serving plate.
• For the frosting: In a stand mixer using a whisk attachment, beat together the sour cream and butter until fluffy. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat until smooth. Mix in the reserved 2 teaspoons raspberry syrup until combined.
• Frost the cooled cake and decorate with fresh mint leaves and raspberries, if using.

CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH RASPBERRY CREAM FILLING

Steps:

• CHOCOLATE CAKE.
• Prepare Chocolate Cake according to package directions in two 9 inch cake pans.
• Cool completely. For best results and time permitting, place the layers in freezer until firm.
• RASPBERRY CREAM FILLING.
• Place softened cream cheese and jam in a mixing bowl and cream together until well incorporated, about 2 minutes.
• Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until it reaches desired consistency. Use more or less than 2 cups, as desired.
• Frost only ONE of the cooled layers leaving a 1 inch unfrosted margin all around the edge of the layer. Then place the other layer on the Raspberry Filling. The top layer will push the Raspberry Filling toward the edges of the cake, that's why it's important to leave the 1 inch margin.
• CHOCOLATE FROSTING.
• Beat the frosting in mixing bowl for 2-3 minutes.
• Completely frost the sides of the cake.
• Put remaining frosting in decorating bag. Using a large star tip, create a shell border around the top of the cake. The border will keep the ganache on top of the cake. Place cake in refrigerator until ganache is ready.
• RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE GANACHE.
• Combine cocoa, sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan and whisk.
• Gradually add water and jam, continue to whisk the mixture.
• Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly.
• Remove from the heat and stir in raspberry liqueur, if using.
• Let cool slightly.
• Remove cake from refrigerator and pour/spread ganache on top.
• Garnish with candies or raspberries.

LEMON RASPBERRY CAKE WITH LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper and butter the paper.
• Combine the butter, granulated sugar, oil, lemon zest and vanilla together in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat the eggs in, one at a time. Beat in the lemon juice.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl.
• Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake in the center of the oven until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then run a thin knife around the edges of the pans and invert onto racks to cool completely.
• For the frosting and filling: Beat the butter, cream cheese, lemon zest and juice and vanilla together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until very smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat until incorporated and smooth. Separate 1 cup of the frosting to a bowl. Mix the jam into the cup of frosting.
• Spread the raspberry frosting on top of one cake layer. Arrange most of the raspberries on top (reserve 7 or 8 for the top of the cake). Carefully put the second cake layer on top. Take about 1 cup of the remaining plain frosting and use it to cover the entire cake in a thin, even layer (it is okay if it looks messy). Refrigerate the cake until the frosting is firm, about 20 minutes. Use the remaining frosting to evenly cover the cake. Mound the remaining raspberries in the center and serve.

LEMON-ROSEMARY OLIVE OIL CAKE WITH BLACKBERRY-RASPBERRY ICE CREAM AND A BLACK SEA SALT SUGAR COOKIE

Steps:

• For the blackberry-raspberry ice cream: Place the cream, milk, sugar and salt in a saucepan and bring to a low simmer.
• Whisk the eggs in a bowl. When cream mixture reaches 130 degrees F on a thermometer, quickly whisk in the eggs. Cook, stirring constantly, until the thermometer registers 170 degrees F. Remove from the heat and pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve.
• Whisk the blackberry puree into the custard, then cool over an ice bath. Transfer to an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Meanwhile, combine the raspberry puree and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced by one-third. Let cool.
• When the ice cream is done churning, transfer it to a rectangular container. Drop spoonfuls of the raspberry mixture on top of the ice cream and swirl in with a butter knife. Freeze.
• For the lemon-rosemary olive oil cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch springform pan (or 8 individual springform pans) with vegetable spray.
• Combine the sugar and eggs in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment; mix just to combine. With the mixer on low speed, slowly drizzle in the olive oil, making sure the oil is well incorporated and emulsified.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a bowl.
• In a second bowl or a measuring cup, combine the milk, lemon juice, lemon zest and rosemary.
• Add the flour to the stand mixer in three additions, alternating with the milk mixture (2 additions). Begin and end with the flour, and be sure to whisk well after each addition--the batter will be runny. Pour the batter in the prepared springform pan.
• Bake until the cake is a deep golden brown and bounces back when lightly pressed, 45 to 55 minutes (20 to 25 minutes for individual pans).
• Cool to room temperature on a rack, then remove the cake from the pan.
• For the lemon-rosemary glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and rosemary until a glaze consistency similar to heavy cream is achieved. Adjust the consistency with more lemon juice or powdered sugar as needed.
• For the candied lemon peel: Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat.
• Using a vegetable peeler, peel the zest from the lemons; slice thinly.
• Blanch the lemon zest twice in boiling water, changing the water in between. After the second blanching, strain and add the lemon zest to the simple syrup.
• Bring the simple syrup to a boil, then turn off the heat and let the lemon zest sit in the simple syrup until translucent and cooled.
• For the black salt sugar cookies: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg and mix until combined. Add the salt and flour and mix until a dough forms.
• Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Roll out the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness, then cut out cookies using a raindrop-shaped cutter.
• Transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with black sea salt and blue sanding sugar.
• Bake in a 350-degree oven until golden brown at the edges, 12 to 14 minutes.
• For the raspberry coulis: Combine the raspberry puree and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced by one-quarter. Let cool.
• For the passion fruit coulis: Combine the passion fruit puree and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook until reduced by one-quarter. Let cool.
• To finish: Glaze the cake with the lemon-rosemary glaze and top with the candied lemon peel.
• Serve with the two coulis and the ice cream and cookies on the side.

RASPBERRY AND PISTACHIO ICE CREAM ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• Line a 9x5" loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving a few inches of overhang on all sides. Chill pan until ready to use. Toast nuts in a dry small skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 5-8 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop; set aside.
• Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat cream and powdered sugar in a large bowl until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Place jam in a medium bowl and whisk to loosen, then gently mix in half of whipped cream. Mix vanilla and salt into plain whipped cream.
• Scoop half of vanilla whipped cream into prepared loaf pan and spread into an even layer. Arrange a layer of cookies on top, breaking or cutting to fit as needed. Add half of raspberry whipped cream, smooth into an even layer, and top with another layer of cookies. Dollop ice cream across top and smooth into an even layer. Add a third layer of cookies, followed by remaining raspberry whipped cream. Repeat with a fourth layer of cookies and finally spread remaining vanilla whipped cream over (don't worry if it's a little higher than edges of pan). Scatter reserved pistachios on top. Cover with plastic overhang and freeze until set, at least 6 hours.
• To serve, using plastic overhang, unmold cake (if it's hesitant to come out, run the sides of the pan under warm water for a few seconds to loosen) and cut into slices. Do ahead: Cake can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.

RASPBERRY-CREAM LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter two 9-inch round cake pans (2 inches deep). Line bottoms with parchment paper; butter parchment. Divide batter between pans, firmly tap on a flat surface to remove air bubbles, and smooth tops.
• Bake until cakes are golden and puffed and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 30 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Let cakes cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges, then invert; remove parchment. Invert cakes again and let cool completely on racks.
• In a medium bowl, gently mash 1 cup raspberries with a fork. Stir in 1 cup whole raspberries. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream and confectioners' sugar on high until soft peaks form, 1 minute. With a rubber spatula, gently fold raspberries into whipped cream. Place 1 cake on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread raspberry cream on top, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Top with other cake, press gently, and finish with remaining raspberry cream. Serve immediately.

RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar; cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; reserve 1 cup crumb mixture. , To remaining crumb mixture, add baking powder, soda, salt, sour cream, egg and almond extract; blend well. Spread batter over bottom and 2 in. up side of greased and floured 9-in. springform pan. (Batter should be 1/4 in thick on sides.) , In small bowl, beat the cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar and egg until smooth. Pour over batter in pan. Carefully spoon jam evenly over cheese filling. , In a small bowl, combine reserved crumb mixture and almonds; sprinkle over top. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until cream cheese filling is set and crust is a deep golden brown. Cool 15 minutes. Remove sides of pan. Serve warm or cool. Cover and refrigerate leftovers.

RASPBERRY-SOUR CREAM CRUMB CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10-inch springform pan.
• Stir 1 cup flour, 2/3 cup sugar, and lemon zest together in a bowl; add melted butter and stir with a fork until the mixture turns crumbly. Set aside.
• Mix 1 3/4 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
• Whisk together the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla in another bowl until they are well blended. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture in the large bowl and beat until you get a smooth and fluffy batter, about 2 minutes. Pour into the prepared pan; cover with an even layer of raspberries. Sprinkle the topping over the raspberries.
• Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 38 to 42 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes before removing sides. Dust with confectioners' sugar to serve.

RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE COFFEE CRUMB CAKE

Steps:

• Combine flour and 2/3 cup sugar in large bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1 cup of crumb mixture.
• To remaining crumb mixture, add baking powder and baking soda. Mix well.
• Combine sour cream, 1 egg and lemon rind. Add to baking powder mixture. Stir until just moistened. Spread batter over bottom and part way up the side of greased 9-inch springform or 10-inch round fluted quiche pan with removable bottom that is 1-1/4-inches deep.
• Beat together Cream Cheese, 1/3 cup sugar and remaining egg until combined. Pour over batter in pan. Carefully spoon jam over cheese filling. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top.
• Bake in 350 °F oven 45 minutes or until filling is set and crust is deep golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Remove side of pan and cut into wedges to serve.
• Do-ahead tip: Wrap cooled coffee cake in foil and freeze for up to 1 week.

EASY RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE DANISH/COFFEE CAKE/PIE

Steps:

• 1. *Please Note: Prep time does not include defrosting dough or rise times. Night before, place frozen bread loaf in a large ziplock bag with the inside of the bag sprayed with Pam. Place in fridge overnight.
• 2. Mix softened cream cheese, vanilla and powdered sugar with hand mixer until light and fluffy. Set aside.
• 3. Roll out bread dough between 2 pieces of lightly sprayed parchment paper to form a 12x16 rectangle. Remove top parchment leaving bottom parchment in place. (By leaving this, I have found it is much easier to get it transferred to the cookie sheet.) Cover loosely with plastic wrap lightly sprayed with Pam and let rest for 10-15 minutes.
• 4. Remove plastic wrap. On long sides, slice dough every 1 1/2" toward center leaving 5" wide center area uncut. (see photo) Spread raspberry filling in a 4" strip down center of dough leaving 1/2" plain before reaching side cuts. Also leave 1 1/2" at either end plain. Dot with cream cheese mixture.
• 5. Fold short ends over filling at either end. Then, alternating sides, fold strips over top of dough at slight angle. (see photo) Transfer pastry on parchment paper to cookie sheet. Cover loosely with sprayed plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
• 6. Remove plastic wrap and bake at 350 degrees for 18-25 minutes. Tent loosely if browning too quickly. (I use a very hot gas oven and oven temps vary, so watch closely.)
• 7. When done, remove from oven. Brush with a little melted butter. Microwave canned frosting until thinned. Drizzle desired amount over pastry. Sprinkle with chopped nuts, if desired. ( I find that this type of frosting works just as well as homemade powdered sugar glaze, setting up beautifully.)
• 8. Serving Suggestion: Cut into 1 1/2-2" strips. Drizzle pastry and plate with additional glaze, powdered sugar and/or a little thinned raspberry jam warmed in microwave. (see pics)

LEMON LAYER CAKE WITH RASPBERRY CURD AND WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350?F. Spray two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides with nonstick vegetable oil spray. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper; spray again.
• Whisk eggs, yolks, milk, lemon juice, and lemon peel in medium bowl to blend. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl to blend. Whisk oil and butter into flour mixture. Add egg mixture and whisk until smooth. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes on racks 10 minutes. Run knife around edge of pans to loosen cakes. Turn cakes out onto racks. Cool completely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap with plastic. Let stand at room temperature.)
• For filling:
• Stir 1 basket raspberries, 3/4 cup sugar, eggs, lemon juice, butter, and salt in medium saucepan over medium heat until thickened and beginning to bubble at edges, about 5 minutes. Strain raspberry curd into medium bowl, pressing on solids in strainer. Refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
• Whip cream and 1/2 cup sugar until peaks form. Fold 1 1/2 cups whipped cream into raspberry curd. Reserve remaining whipped cream.
• Cut each cake horizontally into 2 layers. Place 1 layer, cut side down, on platter. Spread 1/3 of raspberry filling over. Repeat with 2 more cake layers and filling. Top with remaining cake layer.
• Spread all but 1 cup plain whipped cream over top and sides of cake. Place remaining whipped cream in pastry bag fitted with star tip. Pipe design around bottom edge of cake. Arrange remaining berries atop cake. Chill until cold, about 2 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and keep refrigerated.)

FUDGY CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH RASPBERRY CHAMBORD WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Line the bottoms of three 8" round pans with rounds of parchment paper. Spray pans and paper with vegetable cooking spray.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs and vanilla.
• In another glass measuring cup, melt the butter in the espresso grounds and hot water.
• Using a whisk, beat half of the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients at low speed. Beat in half of the coffee mixture, scrape down the bowl. Beat in the remaining buttermilk and coffee mixtures. Pour into the pre lined pans and bake for 30 minutes or until the cake slightly cracks or pops back.
• For the Filling:.
• Bring the water and sugar to a boil add raspberries and cook down till you have a syrup (nearly jam consistency). Cool and set aside.
• Once cake is cooled cover each layer of cake with 1 ½ ounces of Chambord liquor add 1/3 of your raspberry mixture and spread over the top of each layer.
• Whip 1 pint of Whipping Cream to near peak add ¾ cup confectioners sugar and ½ tsp vanilla. Whip till peaks appear.
• Place one half of the whip cream mixture over the first two layers and spread evenly.
• Ganache:.
• Bring cream to a boil (stirring constantly) add chocolate remove from heat and cover for 5 minutes - uncovered and whisk fill smooth, cool for 10-15 minutes. Allow the Ganache to cover the top of the cake and drizzle down the sides. If you are watching your calories this is not the cake for you - but if you love chocolate - yummy!

RASPBERRY-WHITE CHOCOLATE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• In 1 1/2-quart saucepan, mix 1/4 cup sugar, the cornstarch and 1/8 teaspoon salt; stir in 1 cup wine cooler. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter, 1/8 teaspoon almond extract and 2 or 3 drops red food color. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour bottoms and sides of two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans. In 1-quart saucepan, melt 3 ounces baking bars over low heat, stirring occasionally; cool.
• In medium bowl, mix flour, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, the baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt; set aside. In chilled large bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form; set aside. In medium bowl, beat eggs on high speed about 5 minutes or until thick and lemon colored; beat in melted baking bars and 1 teaspoon almond extract on low speed.
• Fold egg mixture into whipped cream. Add flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time, folding gently after each addition until blended. Pour into pans.
• Bake 8-inch rounds 35 to 40 minutes, 9-inch rounds 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1 hour.
• In 1-quart saucepan, melt 3 ounces baking bars over low heat, stirring occasionally; cool. Beat melted baking bars and remaining frosting ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and spreadable. If necessary, stir in additional wine cooler, 1 teaspoon at a time.
• Fill cake layers with raspberry filling. Spread frosting over side and top of cake.

CHOCOLATE-CHERRY, PISTACHIO, AND RASPBERRY ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Boil dried tart cherries and orange juice in heavy small saucepan until all liquid is absorbed, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Remove pan from heat; cool completely.
• Line 9x9x2-inch metal baking pan with foil, extending over sides of pan. Finely grind cookies and almonds in processor; add butter and process until moist crumbs form. Press crumbs onto bottom of foil-lined pan. Place in freezer.
• Mix chocolate ice cream, chopped chocolate, and cherry mixture in medium bowl. Spoon over crust; smooth top. Freeze 30 minutes. Top with raspberry sorbet; smooth top. Freeze 30 minutes. Mix pistachio ice cream and orange peel in another medium bowl. Spoon over sorbet; smooth top (ice cream will come all the way up to top of pan). Cover and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Using foil as aid, lift ice cream cake from pan; peel off foil. Use spatula dipped into hot water to smooth sides of cake. Transfer cake to platter. Garnish top of cake with chocolate curls or amaretti cookies dipped halfway into room-temperature Hot Fudge Sauce. Cut cake into squares. Serve with Hot Fudge Sauce.
• Test-kitchen tip:
• Soften the ice cream and sorbet in the microwave on high in two to three 10-second intervals until just soft enough to spread. *Light, airy Italian almond macaroons that are available at some supermarkets and Italian markets.

TASTY RASPBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE ICE CREAM BARS RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C).
• Lightly grease the brownie pan with nonstick spray. Using your fingers, press a cookie dough square into each of the cups, making sure that the dough completely covers the bottom of the cup and comes up the sides slightly.
• Bake for 10 minutes, until the cookie dough is golden brown and cooked through. Let the cookie squares cool completely in the pan, about 20 minutes.
• While the cookies cool, take the ice cream out of the freezer to soften.
• Spread 1 heaping tablespoon of softened ice cream on top of each cooled cookie square. Freeze for 1 hour.
• Make the magic shell: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and all of the chips are completely melted. Stir in the freeze-dried strawberry powder.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set a wire rack on top. Pop the ice cream bars out of the pan and set on the wire rack.
• Top each ice cream square with a graham cracker square, pressing down to adhere.
• Coat each ice cream bar with 2 tablespoons of the magic shell. Return to freezer for 20 minutes, until set.
• Meanwhile, make the whipped cream: In a medium bowl combine the heavy cream and powdered sugar. Beat with an electric hand mixer for 4-6 minutes, until medium peaks form.
• Top each ice cream bar with 2 tablespoons of whipped cream, a raspberry, and a mint leaf.
• Enjoy!

LEMON SNACK CAKE WITH RASPBERRY-CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush a 9-inch round cake pan with butter. Line bottom with parchment; brush with butter. Dust with flour, tapping out excess.
• In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another, stir together milk and lemon juice. In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter with lemon zest, granulated sugar, and vanilla on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• Reduce speed to low; beat in flour mixture in three additions, alternating with milk mixture, just until no dry flour remains (do not overmix). Transfer batter to prepared pan; smooth top. Bake until cake is golden and springs back when gently pressed, about 40 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cool 20 minutes. Turn cake out onto rack, remove parchment, and let cool completely.
• For the Frosting: In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in confectioners' sugar and freeze-dried berries until smooth.
• Spread frosting over top of cake. Decorate with fresh berries. Cake is best served on the same day, but can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.

RASPBERRY WHIPPED CREAM TRUFFLE CAKE

Steps:

• For Glaze:
• Combine cream, butter and sugar in heavy large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until butter melts, sugar dissolves and mixture comes to simmer. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and vanilla. Stir until chocolate melts and glaze is smooth. Let stand until thick enough to spread, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Before using, whisk over low heat just until spreadable.)
• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Butter two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides. Line pan bottoms with waxed paper; butter paper. Stir chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until melted. Remove from over water.
• Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter in large bowl until well blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating to blend after each addition and occasionally scraping down sides of bowl. Mix in melted chocolate and vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk in 3 additions each. Transfer batter to prepared pans, dividing equally.
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 10 minutes. Cut around pan sides to loosen cakes. Turn cakes out onto racks; peel off waxed paper. Cool cakes completely. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly and store at room temperature.)
• For filling:
• Using electric mixer, beat cream, powdered sugar, framboise (if desired) and vanilla in large bowl until very firm peaks form. Transfer 1 1/2 cups whipped cream mixture to small bowl and chill. Fold 2 cups raspberries into remaining whipped cream mixture.
• Cut each cake layer horizontally in half. Using large tart pan bottom as aid, transfer 1 layer to platter. Slide waxed paper strips under edges of cake. Spread 2/3 cup chocolate glaze over cake. Spread half of raspberry whipped cream over. Place second cake layer on work surface. Spread 2/3 cup glaze, then remaining raspberry cream over. Place atop first layer, using tart pan as aid. Top with third cake layer, pressing lightly to adhere (reserve fourth layer for another use). Smooth filling at edges of cake. Spread thin layer of glaze over sides of cake. Chill until glaze sets, about 10 minutes.
• Spread remaining glaze over sides of cake. Spread or pipe reserved 1 1/2 cups whipped cream mixture over top of cake. Garnish with additional berries, if desired. Gently remove waxed paper from under cake. Cover cake with cake dome; chill at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.

PEACH-RASPBERRY ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper. Butter the parchment.
• Macerate fruit: In a small bowl, combine chopped peaches and 1 tablespoon sugar. In another bowl, combine mashed raspberries with 1 tablespoon sugar. Let both macerate for at least 1 hour while you bake the cake.
• Prepare cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
• In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium, beat together butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl, then beat in vanilla extract and the whole egg. Scrape down sides of bowl again, then beat in egg yolk. With the mixer on low, beat in half the flour mixture, followed by the milk, and then the remaining flour mixture.
• Transfer batter to pan and spread it into a thin, even layer. Bake until cake is golden brown and springs back when pressed lightly, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool in pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Run a small thin knife or spatula around the cake, then carefully turn out onto rack to cool completely. Discard parchment.
• Prepare ice cream: In a large bowl, combine preserves, evaporated milk, salt and macerated peaches, plus any juices. In another large bowl, whip cream to stiff peaks (do not overbeat). Gently fold cream into peach mixture.
• Assemble ice cream cake: Line a 9- by-5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving a 6-inch overhang on each side.
• Cut cooled cake into thirds, making three rectangles 9 by 4 1/3 inches each. (You want a 1/4-inch border of space around each cake layer once it's in the loaf pan; depending on the shape of your pan, you may need to trim cake.)
• Add a third of the cream mixture (about 1 1/3 cups) to pan and smooth into an even layer. Top with one cake layer, pressing down slightly so cream comes up and around sides of cake evenly. Drain mashed raspberries, then spread half the fruit onto cake. Repeat process a second time, adding another third of the cream; a cake layer, pressing down slightly so cream comes up and around sides; and remaining raspberries. Add remaining cream, then top with final cake layer, pressing down slightly so cream comes up and around sides. Use plastic overhang to wrap cake up tightly. Freeze until firm, at least 8 hours.
• To serve, toss sliced peach with 1/2 cup raspberries and 1 tablespoon sugar and let macerate until a bit juicy, about 10 minutes. Remove cake from freezer, unwrap, and lift out of pan. Invert onto a serving plate and let stand at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes. Top with peach-raspberry mixture.

RASPBERRY SOUR CREAM COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, toss raspberries with brown sugar., In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, whisk egg, sour cream, melted butter and vanilla until blended. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened (batter will be thick)., Transfer half of the batter to a greased and floured 8-in. round baking pan. Top with raspberry mixture. Spoon remaining batter over raspberries; sprinkle with almonds., Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool., In a small bowl, mix confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth; drizzle over top. Serve warm. If desired, serve with additional raspberries.

RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a large bowl, combine flour and 3/4 cup sugar. Using pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 cup of crumbs.
• To remaining crumb mixture, add baking powder, baking soda, salt, sour cream, almond extract, and 1 egg. Blend well.
• Spread batter over bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of greased and floured 9 inch springform pan. Batter should be about 1/4 inch thick on sides.
• In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 egg. Blend well.
• Pour in batter lined pan.
• Spoon jam over cream cheese mixture. In a small bowl, combine reserved crumbs and sliced almonds. Sprinkle over jam.
• Bake for 45 to 55 minutes.