Raspberry Almond Layer Cake

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This Raspberry Almond Layer Cake has three layers of moist, fluffy almond cake filled with fresh raspberry frosting. It’s such a pretty cake and it tastes even better than it looks!

Raspberry Almond Layer Cake recipe

Raspberry Almond Layer Cake

So there was a moment this past weekend where I realized what true love really is. It’s giving your spouse the “best” pillow even when you want it. Let me explain.

We were visiting my parents and therefore not using our usual pillows. The first night, we just grabbed the pillow that had been on our side of the bed and went to sleep. Yes, I noticed that his was softer and fluffier than mine, but I wasn’t going to steal it from him. I want him to be comfortable and I can deal with the less fluffy pillow – no problem.

Well then the next night, all of a sudden – through the dark – the hubs lets out a heavy sigh and says, “Do you like your pillow?”

“I mean, it’s a little flat, but it’s fine,” I said.

“Well mine is too fluffy, it’s hurting my neck. I didn’t want to say anything because I thought you wanted the pillow you have,” he says.

To which I laughed, because I of course I hadn’t said anything figuring he’d wanted the fluffy one. 🙂

So we switched and were both happy. But the point is that we had initially given up the pillow we wanted for the comfort of the other. See? True love. 😉

Best Raspberry Almond CakeBest Raspberry Almond Layer Cake recipe

Speaking of true love, I’m in LOVE with this cake! I feel like it just looks like a cake you’d make for someone you love too. Those flowers!! I can’t even handle it.

The cake starts out with three layers of moist, fluffy almond cake. I feel like almond doesn’t get enough credit for how awesome it is. Vanilla tends to capture hearts, but almond deserves that spot too. It’s one of those flavors that gets me every time I have it. I’ll sometimes forget just how delicious it is and then it reminds me when I bite into it. So good!

How to Make a Raspberry Almond Layer Cake

The first step to a wonderfully fluffy cake is to fully cream the butter and sugar. You don’t want to skimp on this. The butter and sugar will come together and look lighter in color and have a thick and fluffy texture. It’s pretty cool. You’ll know it when you see it. 🙂

Once the cakes are made, you’ll make the two frostings. I’ve got raspberry frosting in between the layers and on top as decorations. Then the almond frosting is on the outside of the cake.

Raspberry Almond Layer Cake with fresh raspberry frosting!Easy Raspberry Almond Layer Cake

The raspberry frosting gets its pink color entirely from fresh raspberries. How awesome is that?! To ensure an uninterrupted shade of pink, I puree the raspberries in my food processor and then press the puree through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds. When added to the frosting, it’s a pure, beautiful shade of pink!

The almond frosting on the outside of the cake is added using the same method as in this tutorial for frosting a smooth cake. I then used the patterned side of my icing smoother to create the pattern in the frosting on the sides.

The roses on top are made with a closed star tip – I used the Ateco 844, but the Wilton 1M or 2D would work as well. I colored some of the remaining almond frosting with some green to add a few leaves as well.

This cake was a BIG hit! Everyone loved it! Not only is it fun to check out the pretty flowers, but the almond and raspberry together are so light and refreshing! It really is the perfect combo!

Favorite Raspberry Almond Layer Cakeslice of Raspberry Almond Layer Cake!

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overhead image of Raspberry Almond Layer Cake
Recipe

Raspberry Almond Layer Cake

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 35 minutes
  • Cook Time: 22 minutes
  • Total Time: 57 minutes
  • Yield: 12-14 Slices
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Raspberry Almond Layer Cake has three layers of moist, fluffy almond cake filled with fresh raspberry frosting. It’s such a pretty cake and it tastes even better than it looks!


Ingredients

ALMOND CAKE LAYERS

  • 3/4 cup (168g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups (310g) sugar
  • 3/4 cup (173g) sour cream, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp (10ml) almond extract
  • 6 large egg whites, room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups (325g) all purpose flour
  • 4 tsp (15g) baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) milk, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) water, room temperature

RASPBERRY FROSTING

  • 6 oz (170g) raspberries
  • 3/4 cup (168g) salted butter
  • 3/4 cup (142g) shortening
  • 6 cups (690g) powdered sugar

ALMOND FROSTING

  • 3/4 cup (168g) salted butter
  • 3/4 cup (142g) shortening
  • 6 cups (690g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp almond extract
  • 23 tbsp water

Instructions

TO MAKE THE CAKE LAYERS:

1. Prepare three 8 inch cake pans with parchment paper circles in the bottom and grease the sides. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) .
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light in color and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Do not skimp on the creaming time.
3. Add sour cream and almond extract and mix until well combined.
4. Add egg whites in two batches, mixing until well combined after each. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated.
5. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then combine the milk and water in a small measuring cup.
6. Add half of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until well combined. Add the milk mixture and mix until well combined. Add remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated.
7. Divide the batter evenly between the cakes pans and bake for about 21-23 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.
8. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool for about 2-3 minutes, then remove to cooling racks to cool completely.

TO MAKE THE FROSTINGS:

9. To make the raspberry frosting, first puree the raspberries in a food processor. Strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds.
10. In a large mixer bowl, beat the butter and shortening together until smooth.
11. Slowly add half of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
12. Add 5 tablespoons of raspberry puree and mix until smooth.
13. Slowly add remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add additional raspberry puree, as needed. Set aside.
9. To make the almond frosting, beat the butter and shortening together until smooth.
11. Slowly add half of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
12. Add the almond extract and 2 tablespoons of water and mix until smooth.
13. Slowly add remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
14. Add remaining tablespoon of water, if needed.

TO ASSEMBLE THE CAKE:

15. To put the cake together, use a large serrated knife to remove the domes from the top of the cakes so that they’re flat. Place the first cake on a serving plate or a cardboard cake round.
16. Spread about 1 cup of raspberry frosting evenly on top of the cake.
17. Add the second layer of cake and another cup of raspberry frosting.
18. Top the cake with the remaining layer and frost the cake with the almond frosting. Refer to my tutorial for frosting a smooth cake, if needed. Once frosted, use the patterned side of an icing smoother/comb and create the patterned lines on the sides.
19. Use the remaining raspberry frosting to pipe rosettes around the edge of the cake. I used Ateco tip 844, but Wilton 1M or 2D would work as well.
20. Color some of the remaining almond frosting green and use it to add some leaves. Sprinkle the cake with some gold sprinkles, if desired.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Slice
  • Calories: 1011
  • Sugar: 106.8 g
  • Sodium: 284.3 mg
  • Fat: 54.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 128.5 g
  • Protein: 6.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 84.7 mg

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Enjoy!

Raspberry Almond Layer Cake! Such a light, moist cake with fresh raspberry frosting!

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104 Comments
  1. Kerry

    Hello! I made this for my mom’s birthday and it was so good!!!!!! I just love your recipes and thank you for sharing them!






    1. Lindsay

      So you may want to check out my white cupcake recipe. It’s the same recipe as this cake, but you’d want to use almond extract instead of vanilla extract. I also have changed the egg whites to be whipped and folded in, rather than added as they are in this cake. You could do either way though. The white cupcakes recipe is also cut in half for 12-14 cupcakes. You could use the full recipe you see for the cake for more like 24 cupcakes and then just use the instructions for the cupcakes. Then use the raspberry buttercream as a filling and top with almond buttercream. Or you could just use raspberry buttercream on top and not worry about the almond frosting. I hope that helps!

  2. Bailey

    I just made this recipe for my anniversary and it was delicious! How should I store it? In the fridge or room temp? How long would it last?






    1. Lindsay

      Sure. I assume you are looking for it to be rather tall? I haven’t baked it that way before, but I imagine you may want to bake it at 325 instead of 350.

  3. Gina

    I made this earlier and after the toothpick test came out with no raw batter, they shrunk down to the size of pancakes.
    I followed the instructions exactly, and used a brand new canister of Rumford baking powder.
    I don’t understand why this happened. I had to throw them out, as like I said, shrunk (in the pans while cooling). They tasted good, but what a disappointment






    1. Lindsay

      It sounds like it could have been one of two things. Be sure you creamed the butter and sugar properly – you don’t want to over or under do it. And be sure you don’t over mix the batter after you add the flour. It can over develop the gluten and give you a touch cake that could shrink up.

  4. Kristin Vargas

    One of the best cakes I have ever made. I make it with either Italian merengue buttercream or French buttercream though, as I can’t stand American buttercream or shortening.






  5. Linzie Pflumm

    I LOVE making this cake, I have made it twice and will be making it again for another bridal shower. Love how ray it is to make and even better how DELICIOUS it is!






  6. Anna

    Great recipe! We were trying to replicate my sister’s almond wedding cake with raspberry buttercream and this was just as good! We had a TON of leftover frosting (not a bad problem!) but I’ll probably halve the frosting next time. I also had extra raspberry compote that I spread onto the cake layers and let soak in before frosting them. Gave the cake a nice little burst of raspberry. I also used 2 1/2 tsp almond in the cake and 1 1/2 tsp in the frosting.

    Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe!






Lindsay
About Lindsay

I’m the baker, recipe developer and photographer behind Life, Love and Sugar. I love sharing trusted recipes with helpful tips to give you great results.

Scripture I’m Loving

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29