One of the sweetest moments in my kitchen happened when my daughter asked for a Chocolate Raspberry Cake for her birthday. She had just discovered this rich, moist combination of chocolate and berries at a friend’s party and couldn’t stop talking about it. I wanted to make something special that would bring our whole family together around the table, and this Chocolate Raspberry Cake was the perfect choice. As I baked and layered the cake, I thought about how this recipe could balance rich chocolate flavors with the bright tartness of raspberry, creating a dessert that felt both indulgent and refreshing.
When I finally brought the Chocolate Raspberry Cake to the table, everyone’s eyes lit up. The combination of chocolate cake with raspberry filling was a hit — our dinner conversation slowed as we all savored each bite. This moment reminded me why family meals mean so much: it’s not just about the food but about sharing time and creating memories. Since then, this Chocolate Raspberry Cake has become a regular request for celebrations and weekend treats alike.
I’ve learned to make this Chocolate Raspberry Cake with confidence, balancing moist cake layers with just the right amount of raspberry filling and frosting. It’s joyful to watch families enjoy a rich chocolate raspberry dessert that never feels heavy but always satisfies that chocolate craving. If you’re ready for a dessert that can turn any meal into a celebration, I invite you to try this recipe with your family. It’s a chocolate raspberry layer cake that’s simple enough for busy nights but special enough for when you want to impress.
For those who want to see other mouthwatering takes on chocolate raspberry sweets, check out this lovely Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake from Life, Love and Sugar. It’s always inspiring to see how different cooks bring together flavors we love.
What You’ll Need
For a Chocolate Raspberry Cake that comes together effortlessly and tastes like a bakery treat, here’s what I use every time:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (choose good quality for rich flavor)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk (my family prefers buttermilk for extra moistness)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries (for the filling)
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for the chocolate raspberry frosting)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (also for the frosting)
- ¾ cup chocolate chips or melted chocolate for frosting

You’ll find everything for this Chocolate Raspberry Cake at your regular grocery store, often in the baking aisle and fresh produce section. For the best results, pick fresh, ripe raspberries if you can, though frozen work well too. Trust me, this Chocolate Raspberry Cake ingredient list keeps things simple without sacrificing flavor.
If you need to swap anything, this Chocolate Raspberry Cake is forgiving! You can use almond milk instead of whole milk, or coconut oil in place of vegetable oil. If fresh raspberries aren’t available, a good quality raspberry jam works well for the filling to keep it easy and sweet. My family prefers when I use slightly less sugar in the frosting to balance the tartness of raspberry.
A little tip before baking: measure your flour carefully because too much can make the cake dry, and be sure your eggs are at room temperature so the batter mixes smoothly. Preparing your ingredients ahead of time makes the whole process less stressful — a key for busy weeknights.
For more ideas about desserts that mix rich and fruity flavors, check out Sally’s Baking’s take on Chocolate Raspberry Cake for extra inspiration on frosting techniques and layering.
How to Make It
Making this Chocolate Raspberry Cake is straightforward, and I promise you’ll feel proud with each step. Here’s how I do it:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans. I also line the bottoms with parchment paper to make removing the cake layers easier.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This dry mix is the base for your moist chocolate cake with berries.
- Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat everything together on medium speed for about two minutes until smooth.
- Carefully stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin — this is perfect for a moist Chocolate Raspberry Cake.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Your kitchen will start to smell amazing as the cake bakes.
- Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. You’ll know your Chocolate Raspberry Cake is ready when it springs back lightly to the touch.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then turn onto wire racks to cool completely. Don’t rush this part; the frosting and filling stick better when the layers are fully cooled.
- While the cake cools, prepare your raspberry filling. If you’re using fresh raspberries, mash them gently with a fork, then mix with a bit of sugar to taste. For a smoother filling, you can blend and strain to remove seeds.
- Next, make the chocolate raspberry frosting by beating softened butter until creamy. Slowly mix in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, a splash of vanilla, and melted chocolate. Keep tasting to balance sweetness and chocolate richness.
- To assemble, place one chocolate cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of raspberry filling on top.
- Top with the second cake layer. Then, frost the entire cake with your chocolate raspberry frosting, smoothing the sides and top.
- Chill the cake for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld. If you want, garnish with fresh raspberries or chocolate shavings to make it look extra special.
It usually takes me about 1.5 to 2 hours from start to finish, including cooling and frosting, but the results are worth every minute.
If your Chocolate Raspberry Cake looks a little crumbly while frosting, don’t worry — chill it and crumb coat first, then frost again. This trick helped me make my frosting smooth and neat.
This Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Filling from Cambrea Bakes offers some good methods for incorporating fresh raspberry filling too, so you might want to peek for baking pointers.
Serving Ideas

My family loves this Chocolate Raspberry Cake for birthdays, holidays, and weekend treats. It’s the kind of dessert that everyone reaches for seconds with!
This cake pairs beautifully with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to complement the rich chocolate raspberry dessert. We’ve also served it warmed slightly with coffee or milk on busy afternoons — perfect for a cozy family gathering.
This Chocolate Raspberry Cake shines on special occasions but is simple enough for when you want something very satisfying without a fuss. For a casual twist, try turning it into cupcakes with the same chocolate raspberry frosting—those are perfect for kids’ lunches or parties.
When it comes to presentation, adding fresh raspberries on top and a dusting of cocoa powder or powdered sugar makes this chocolate raspberry layer cake look stunning, even if you baked it in a hurry.
Leftover Chocolate Raspberry Cake keeps well, wrapped tightly in the fridge for up to three days, or you can freeze slices wrapped individually for a quick indulgence later.
Family feedback has always been positive, calling this cake a “moist chocolate cake with berries” heaven. The raspberry chocolate frosting adds the perfect tangy sweetness that balances the chocolate richness. If you want more inspiration, check out the Chocolate Raspberry Cake on Sally’s Baking Addiction for variations on frosting techniques that you and your family will enjoy.
Your Questions Answered
Q: Can I make this Chocolate Raspberry Cake ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! I often bake it a day ahead and refrigerate it wrapped well. It actually tastes better when the flavors have had time to marry. Just bring it to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Q: What if I don’t have fresh raspberries for the filling?
A: No worries. You can use good quality raspberry jam or frozen raspberries thawed and drained. For an easy swap, raspberry preserves work well and keep things simple.
Q: How do I store leftover Chocolate Raspberry Cake?
A: Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for about three days. You can freeze individual slices wrapped in foil for up to a month.
Q: Can I substitute different types of flour in this Chocolate Raspberry Cake?
A: I usually stick with all-purpose flour, but you can try a gluten-free blend. Just watch the texture and add a bit more liquid if needed to keep that moist chocolate cake with berries feel.
Q: Can I make the frosting without butter?
A: You can try using coconut oil, but the texture changes. For a classic chocolate raspberry frosting, butter gives the best creamy consistency.
Q: How do I keep the cake layers moist?
A: The boiling water in the batter is key — it helps keep the cake tender and moist. Also, don’t overbake. Check with a toothpick a few minutes before the timer goes off.
Q: Can I use fresh raspberries in the frosting?
A: I prefer to keep the frosting chocolate-focused and use raspberries just in the filling or as a garnish. Fresh raspberries in frosting can make it too watery or hard to spread.
For more ideas to mix fruit and chocolate for crowd-pleasers, you might enjoy these Blueberry Cheesecake Protein Bites, a lighter treat but still packed with flavor.
The Final Word
This Chocolate Raspberry Cake has earned a place in my recipe book because it brings people together, simple to make but full of flavor. It combines moist chocolate cake with berries and rich chocolate raspberry frosting for a dessert that’s both familiar and special.
My Chocolate Raspberry Cake Tips:
– Measure flour carefully to keep the cake moist and tender.
– Use boiling water in the batter to create that perfect texture.
– Chill the cake before frosting to get smoother icing and cleaner layers.
I’ve enjoyed making variations like adding a layer of raspberry jam under the frosting, or swapping the chocolate frosting for whipped cream frosting for a lighter feel. My daughter loves the classic version, but my husband prefers the richer, fudgier frosting.
If you’re ready for a dessert that brings smiles and seconds, I hope you make this Chocolate Raspberry Cake your family’s new favorite. It’s delicious, doable, and a wonderful way to share special moments. For another homemade treat, you and your family might like my recipe for Homemade Chocolate Croissants, perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Whether a celebration or a cozy night, this Chocolate Raspberry Cake is a recipe I’m happy to recommend. Your family will love it as much as mine does. Happy baking!
For more inspiration, check out this recipe for Lemon Marbled Cheesecake Bars, a bright contrast to chocolate raspberry flavors. Enjoy!
Chocolate Raspberry Cake
A rich and moist chocolate cake layered with fresh raspberries and smooth chocolate ganache, perfect for any dessert lover.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 cups fresh raspberries
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped (for ganache)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Beat in eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Stir in boiling water carefully to combine; batter will be thin.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- To make ganache, heat heavy cream until just boiling, pour over chopped chocolate, let sit 5 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread a layer of ganache, and scatter half of the fresh raspberries on top.
- Place second cake layer over raspberries, spread remaining ganache on top and sides of the cake.
- Garnish with remaining raspberries. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
For an extra touch, dust the top with powdered sugar or add a few mint leaves for garnish.

