Scrumptious Gluten Free Blackberry Cake

   In our house blackberry picking is just part of summer vacation.   For the past three weeks, we've had friends from Taiwan visiting us.  They put their kids into the YMCA camp, and they enjoy sharing in all of our favorite summer activities.  So far we've gone raspberry and blueberry picking, and earlier this week we started blackberry picking.  

    Before coming to Washington, they had never eaten blackberries before.  They were surprised at how they grew in so many places and people could pick them for free. 
 Yesterday the mom and I made 24 jars of blackberry jam! We felt like we were running a factory!! To thank everyone for their help today we made a blackberry cake.

     I've had this recipe for over 20 years, and I don't remember where I got it from.  But it is so light and tasty, and the spices  are just perfect.  Tonight I decided to make a warm blackberry sauce to serve over the top of the ice cream.  The plates looked so beautiful. Scrumptious is the  word that came out of my mouth when I took a bite of this delicious summer cake. 

Scrumptious Gluten Free Blackberry Cake

1.  Cream butter & sugar - In a mixing bowl:
(1)  Cream 6 T of butter for 2 minutes  (I add 2 T applesauce at the end, but if you don't want to adjust the fat content then just use 1 stick of butter.)
(2)  Then gradually add 3/4+ cup of sugar (The recipe calls for 1 cup)  SLOWLY while beating for  a total of 5 more minutes.
(3)  If lowering the fat, add 2 T of applesauce. (Applesauce is a great substitute.)
(4)  Add 2 eggs  ONE at a time and beat after each. 
(5)  Then stir in 1 tsp. baking soda into 4 T of sour milk (I add 1 tsp. of vinegar to milk and let it sit for a minute or two.)

2.  Prepare dry ingredients - In a medium size bowl put:
(1)  1 3/4 cups of gluten free flour:  I used 1/2 cup of sorghum flour, 3/4 cup white rice flour, and 1/2 cup tapioca flour
(2)  Then stir in 1 t cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. cloves, and 1/4 tsp. nutmeg.

3. Combine ingredients:
(1)  Slowly add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and beat a total of 3 minutes to combine everything.
(2)  Fold in 1 1/2 cups of fresh (or frozen) blackberries.

4.  Baking:
(1)  Grease and flour an  8 x 8 pan and spoon in the cake batter.
(2)  Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
(3)  Put on a rack to cool.

Serve with vanilla ice cream and any additional blackberries if you like!

My recipe for blackberry sauce:   In a small saucepan mash 1 1/2 cups of blackberries.  Mix 2 tsp. of tapioca starch with 1/4 cup of water and slowly stir in.  Add 1/6 cup of agave syrup and cook on medium until the blackberry sauce  thickens.  Taste and make any adjustments.  

Other Gluten Free Baking & Desserts on This Blog:

Breads & Coffee Cakes: 
Gluten free & Low-fat Banana Bread    (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Celebrate Fall With Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread  (A friend's recipe)
Delicious Gluten Free Zucchini Bread (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Favorite Gluten Free Cranberry Nut Bread  (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)
Claudia's Blueberry Coffee Cake (Made Gluten Free!)   (From a former neighbor)
Here's a Zucchini Bread with a Hawaiian Twist! Gluten Free Pineapple Zucchini Bread (From my Syre School Cookbook)

Cakes:
Gluten Free German Apple Cake   (From my grandmother)
You Won't Believe It's Gluten Free Carrot Cake (From my daughter's husband's grandma--whew)
Judi's Super Moist Gluten Free Chocolate Cake    (From a church friend)
Judi's Gluten Free Orange Chiffon Cake    (From a church friend)
Marilyn's Spectacular Gluten Free Oatmeal Cake   (My mother-in-law's specialty!)
The Best Gluten Free Black Bottom Cupcakes   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Delicious Gluten Free Rhubarb Cake   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Grandma's Gluten Free Applesauce Cake   (From an Internet search--tastes like my grandma's!)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Banana Cake   (From my grandma)
Rosie's Gluten Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Overwhelmed By Your Bumper Crop of Zucchini? Try Claudia's Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Cake!   (From my former neighbor Claudia of 12 years)
Decadent & Gluten Free German Chocolate Cake  (From my Come & Dine church cookbook)
Debbie's Delicious Hot Water GF Chocolate Cake   (From my Come & Dine cookbook)
Debbie's Less Oil Carrot Cake (Made Gluten Free!)   (From my Come & Dine cookbook)

Cookies:
The Ultimate Gluten Free Cowboy Oatmeal Cookies   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Mom's Go To For Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
The Best Gluten Free Recipe for Snickerdoodles    (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Gluten Free Rocky Road Brownies    (From a church friend)
Mark's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies - Made Gluten Free!   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Judi's Gluten Free Oatmeal Craisin & Coconut Cookies (From a church friend)
Marie's Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies (Also Great Gluten Free!)   (My friend Marie's recipe)
Bebe's Gluten Free Whoopie Pies  (From my friend Debbie)

Cornbread & Rolls:
Beth's Amazing Gluten Free Cornbread   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Judi's Favorite Gluten Free Buttermilk Biscuits   (My friend Judi's sister's recipe)

Crisps & Pies:
Lena's Rhubarb Crunch (A crisp with a gluten free top and bottom crust!) (My daughter-in-law's mother. She's an amazing cook, which I think most of us moms become after a few years!)
Delicious Gluten Free Apple Crisp    (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Ginger's Outrageous Apple Pie    (From a church friend)
The BEST Lemon Meringue Pie with Mrs. Lauralicious Gluten Free Pie Crust  (Internet)
My Grandmother's Favorite Banana Cream Pie  (A recipe from my grandmother)
Granny's Lemon Cheesecake Squares   (From my friend Judi's granny)

Desserts with Fruit:
Sensational Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake   (From the back of Costco's organic sugar)

Terrific Gluten Free Strawberry & Peach Trifle  (Modified from an Internet search)
My Favorite Gluten Free Strawberry Cheesecake (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Just Like Grandma's (But Only Gluten Free) Berry Cobbler (My husband's grandma's recipe)
Gluten Free Lemony Rhubarb Bars (From my Syre School Cookbook)
Old Fashioned Strawberry Buckle (Made Gluten Free)   (A recipe I picked up from a berry farm)

Holiday Cookies & Baking:

Old Fashioned Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies  (Modified from back of the Libby's pumpkin can)
My Family's Favorite Gingerbread Cookies (Now Made Gluten Free!)  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Grandkids Favorite Gluten Free Peppermint Sugar Cookies  (From Syre School Cookbook)
Our Favorite Pumpkin Pie   (Modified from back of Libby's pumpkin can)
Perfect Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake   (From back of cream cheese box)
Gluten Free Polish Fruitcake  ( Modified from Internet search)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Gingerbread Cake   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Gluten Free Nordy Bars  ( From my Syre School Cookbook)
Grandma Pitcher's Old Fashioned Sandies (Made Gluten Free)  (My husband's grandma)
Make a Family Tradition & Make Your Own Fruitcake    (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Muffins:

My Favorite Banana Nut Muffins   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Gluten Free Tremendous Pumpkin Muffins   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Bursting with Blueberries Gluten Free Muffins   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Toni's Outrageous Gluten Free Corn Muffins    (From back of a Bob's Red Mill package)
Sassy Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Puddings & Ice Cream: 

Dairy Free Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream (And other ice cream favorites!) (From searches)

Baked Coconut Pudding   (Something I worked out from my Aunt Sue's rice pudding recipe)

Tangy Lemon Pudding   (From my daughter-in-laws family reunion cookbook)