Well, it’s July 31 and I’m sure you all know what that means. Yes, it’s National Raspberry Cake Day.

I admit that it gave me momentary pause. Not that I don’t love raspberries ’cause I do. In fact, I am heading off to Connecticut tomorrow where wild raspberries grow in abundance around the house – and they are just coming to the perfect level of ripeness this weekend. Yum.

But – I paused at ‘raspberry cake.’ Why? Because it like something was missing? Isn’t the raspberry usually accompanied by another thing like — cream, chocolate, or with the raspberry being a sort of lesser element like raspberry pound cake (obviously MOSTLY pound cake infused or imbued with raspberries)? Off I went to check it out.

Turns out it is all those things. OK, I had no idea that raspberries were so darned flexible. Delicious yes. Flexible no. But I am happy to admit I am wrong and here’s some of the goodies I found

Smitten Kitchen’s raspberry buttermilk cake looks divine as does her idea of “everyday cakes – would that I had the patience. Still . . . those pictures are inspiring (in case I haven’t mentioned it lately, the food photos on Smitten Kitchen are some of the most gorgeous I have seen on any food blog anywhere or indeed in general).

Want something with a color that really “pops” on the dinner table? Well, thekitchn.com (part of the Apartment Therapy group of blogs where I can often be found oooooohing and aaaaaahhing over everything from shelf paper to power strips) offers up a delicious sounding (and vivid) Hot Pink Raspberry Cakes
Hot Pink Raspberry Cakes

As I am a big believer that few things go with raspberries better than chocolate, I found the Double Chocolate Raspberry Cake on Epicurious a pretty compelling read. Well, OK – mostly interested in the picture. I gather from the reviews that an adjustment or two in the recipe looks to be called for. But if at first you don’t succeed, bake, bake again and there is always someone who will take the “not quite right” pass off your hands.  But the picture? If you all will excuse me, I’m going to contemplate that a big longer.

Since I was already on that most delectable of sites, I looked to see what else they might offer to fit the theme of the day. And lo! In the middle of the hot and stickier summer came the Pop-Art Raspberry Icebox Cake. Dear god – it’s practically glowing in the dark but ice cream cake – especially ice cream cake with chocolate wafers is not to be sniffed at or dismissed on days such as these. I may have to give this one a go when I get up to Connecticut.

I may pop in a few of those wild raspberries as well. And if any are left over, all the better. Why? Because August 1 is National Raspberry Cream Pie Day!