Blackberry Jam Cake Recipe

For cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour four 8-inch round cake pans. Cream butter with sugar in large bowl of electric mixer. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in buttermilk.

Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and cloves in another large bowl.

Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until thoroughly incorporated.

Stir in jam, nuts, and vanilla. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake until tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool on racks.

For Glaze: Combine sugar, whipping cream, and butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until syrup reaches 240 degrees on candy thermometer (soft-ball stage). Remove from heat and stir in jam and raisins. Cool 30 minutes.

To assemble: Even tops of cake layers with serrated knife. Transfer one layer to shallow-rimmed platter. Spoon some of glaze over top. Repeat with remaining layers and glaze, allowing glaze to drip down sides and form well around bottom of cake. Serve same day if possible.