HOMEMADE BLACKBERRY CAKE RECIPE

1 cup homemade blackberry jam (or preserves)
1 tsp homemade pure vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Icing
2 cups sugar
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup homemade unsalted butter
1 tsp homemade pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup blackberries with juice, pureed
blackberries for garnish

PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 9" cake pans; set aside.

Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add jam and mix well. Combine dry ingredients; divide into thirds and add alternating with the buttermilk. Pour evenly into prepared cake pans and bake for 30 minutes.

Icing
Cook 1-1/2 cups sugar with the cream. Melt the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and add to the cooked sugar and cream mixture. Cook until soft ball forms. Remove from heat and add the vanilla, butter and blackberry puree; beating well. Frost cooled cake and garnish with more blackberries.