Spice and fruit and caramel cakes all rolled into one. This cake brings in a lot of money at a bake sale.

　　

Ingredients

makes 1 (9-inch) layer cake

　　

Cake

3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

　　1 teaspoon baking soda

　　1 teaspoon ground allspice

　　1 teaspoon ground cloves

　　1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

　　1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

　　1/4 teaspoon salt

　　1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

　　1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

　　1 cup seedless blackberry jam

　　3 large eggs, beaten

　　1 cup buttermilk

　　1 cup chopped pecans

　　

Blackberry Caramel Icing

10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter

　　1/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar

　　1/3 cup heavy cream

　　1 tablespoon seedless blackberry jam

　　1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

　　1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

　　1/2 teaspoon salt

　　1 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

　　1 pint blackberries, for garnish

　　

Make the Cake

Step 1

Heat the oven to 350°F.

　　

Step 2

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

　　

Step 3

In a separate bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer. Gradually add the granulated sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the jam and eggs. Add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beating until smooth after each addition. Stir in the pecans. Pour the batter into 3 greased and floured 9-inch cake pans and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer the pans to a wire rack. Let the cake cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

　　

Make the Icing

Step 4

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter and add the brown sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil over medium heat; remove the pan from the heat. Whisk in the cream and blackberry jam until well blended. Transfer to a heat-resistant bowl. Set aside to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.

　　

Step 5

Meanwhile, put the remaining 6 tablespoons butter and the cream cheese in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Beat in the vanilla and salt. With the mixer running, slowly pour in the cooled brown-sugar mixture; beat until smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar gradually, beating well after each addition until completely smooth. Chill slightly for a firmer texture, stirring occasionally.

　　

Step 6

Place one cake layer on a serving platter. Spread with some of the icing. Repeat with the second and third layers, icing the top of the cake, too. Arrange the blackberries on top.

　　Cooks' Note

　　If all you have in the cupboard is pumpkin-pie spice, use that instead of the individual spices.

　　A Southerly Course