Last Updated on February 8, 2026 by Sabrina Currie
Chocolatey, moist and rich, this cake is just the right size for a family dessert and it's topped by a simple, 3 ingredient raspberry coulis that makes this dessert next level! Let's get baking!
Raspberry Season
Have you ever had dessert with a fruit coulis (sauce) at a restaurant? Did it blow your mind? A fruit coulis is simply fruit pureed with sugar which highlights the fruits fruitiness. Simple but oh so good! Raspberry coulis is just the ultimate sauce to go with my favourite small batch chocolate cake.
For more coulis deliciousness, try my Easy Homemade Strawberry Coulis and for another idea on what to serve it on... Chocolate Hazelnut Tart is AMAZING topped with strawberry or raspberry coulis.
July is raspberry season! Just when I thought strawberries were my favourite garden fruit, I am now debating between them and the raspberries, a delicious dilemma. If you've got lots, try this delish and easy raspberry ice cream recipe. For a savory use, check out my Raspberry Vinaigrette and if you're more of a strawberry person, try out my Ultimate Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake!
No surprise, raspberries are super healthy - low-calorie, high fiber, high in vitamin C and contain Vitamins A, E and Folate.
Raspberries are in the same woody botanical family as roses and blackberries. They have been used to form new berry species too, loganberries are a cross between raspberries and blackberries and boysenberries are a cross between red raspberries, blackberries and loganberries.
Growing Your Own
In the first year of growth, the raspberry canes grow upright and in the second year they branch outwards, flower and bear fruit. They are quite rewarding and easy to grow and they multiply quickly. Here's a great article from Fine Gardening on choosing and growing your own raspberries.
Why Make A Small Batch Cake
I don't know about you but I shy away from making a whole 9x13 cake for our family because then we are eating it for days. This recipe is just the right amount for an 8 or 9 inch round cake pan and will serve 8 people.
I then decided to focus on one of my personal favourites, raspberry coulis. Coulis really elevates any dessert it touches and it's very adaptable to other fruits. My version isn't strained but certainly you could strain the seeds out which would be more traditional. I have paired it with this small but decadent chocolate cake recipe I developed.
I hope you love this chocolate cake and raspberry sauce as much as we do. I think it's kind of special 😉
If you have any questions or comments, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. I try to answer any recipe related questions quickly as I know you might be in the middle of making it.
Also check out my FREE PRINTABLE meal planner to make menu planning and grocery shopping a breeze and my shopping guide. And if you like this recipe, I would love it if you give it a star rating in the recipe card.
Cheers and happy cooking, Friends! Sabrina
📖 Recipe
Small Chocolate Cake Recipe with Raspberry Coulis
Ingredients
- ¾ c Flour
- 1 c Sugar
- ½ c Cocoa Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 1 c Milk
- ⅓ c Vegetable Oil
- 1 Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350' F.
- In a medium size bowl, mix all dry ingredients together well.
- Heat the milk to scalding either in the microwave or a small pan, then pour into dry ingredients and mix gently but well.
- Beat egg and mix in oil and vanilla then add to cake batter and mix in well.
- Prepare an 8" or 9" round cake pan (I use a non-stick pan) by greasing lightly with margarine (or Crisco if you have it) and then dusting with cocoa powder.
- Pour batter into pan and bake 30 min, testing for doneness at end and adjust baking time as needed. (My oven is on the cooler side and took 31 minutes)
Nutrition
📖 Recipe
Raspberry Coulis (Raw, Vegan, Delicious!)
Ingredients
- 2 c Raspberries
- ⅓ c Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (Fresh)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to food processor or blender and puree just until blended. Don't puree too long or the seeds will start to break up and make your sauce granular.
- *Optional: You can strain the seeds out of the sauce with a fine mesh strainer.
Colleen says
Raspberries and chocolate are always amazing together, and this is a perfect simple, yet elegant dessert.
SabCurrie says
Thanks so much Colleen 🙂
Trish says
Lovely cake. And love that this raspberry sauce uses just 3 ingredients. So fresh.
SabCurrie says
Thank you Trish! I’m such a fan of fresh flavour that I love this raw raspberry sauce 🙂
Terri says
Chocolate and raspberries have got to be my ultimate fave combo! And chocolate cake for 8 would be just perfect for my family of 4 🙂
SabCurrie says
Thank you! Yes sometimes you need something smaller than a 9x13 pan of cake!
Matt - Total Feasts says
Rich chocolate cake and raspberry coulis, always a winner!
SabCurrie says
I do agree! Thanks for reading Matt 🙂