Floating Ducks Water Cake with Bubbles

The Floating Ducks Water Cake with Bubbles is a whimsical and imaginative dessert that combines artistic cake design with delicious flavors. This cake features fondant or toy ducks appearing to float on a blue “water” surface, accompanied by delicate edible bubbles made from gelatin. It’s an ideal centerpiece for baby showers, birthdays, or any celebration with a playful theme.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A visually captivating design that delights guests of all ages
• Perfect for themed parties like baby showers or toddler birthdays
• Customizable with various cake flavors and colors
• A fun decorating process that allows for creativity
• Makes for a memorable photo-worthy dessert centerpiece

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Self-raising flour
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter
• Eggs
• Buttermilk
• Vanilla extract
• Milk

For the buttercream frosting:

• Salted butter
• Icing sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Milk
• Raspberry jam (optional, for layering)

For decoration:

• Fondant (white, green, orange, black) or food-safe toy rubber ducks
• Food coloring gels (blue, yellow, green)
• Icing sugar (for dusting)
• Gelatin powder
• Small balloons (for creating edible bubbles)

Directions

1. Bake the cake:
   Preheat the oven and prepare two cake pans by greasing and lining them. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract. Alternate adding buttermilk and flour, mixing until smooth. Pour the batter into pans and bake until golden and springy. Let cool completely.
2. Make the buttercream:
   Whip the butter until soft, then slowly add icing sugar until fully combined. Mix in vanilla extract and a little milk for spreading consistency.
3. Assemble the cake:
   Place one cake layer on a stand, spread with jam and a layer of buttercream, then top with the second layer. Coat the entire cake with a thin crumb layer of buttercream and chill. Once set, apply a final smooth layer of blue-tinted buttercream or fondant to resemble water.
4. Create decorations:
   For fondant ducks, shape small duck bodies, heads, beaks, and wings using tinted fondant. Assemble and place around the top of the cake. For bubbles, dip inflated balloons in a gelatin solution, let dry completely, and then deflate and remove the balloon to leave a translucent shell. Arrange bubbles and ducks as desired.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 12 to 16
• Prep time: 1 hour
• Bake time: 30–35 minutes
• Decoration time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Variations

• Use chocolate or lemon cake instead of vanilla
• Substitute raspberry jam with other fruit preserves
• Replace fondant ducks with small, food-safe toy ducks for easier decoration
• Create buttercream waves instead of fondant for a softer look
• Add edible glitter or shimmer dust for a magical water effect

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Reheating: Let refrigerated cake come to room temperature before serving to restore flavor and softness.

FAQs

How do I make the edible gelatin bubbles?

Dip small, air-inflated balloons into a gelatin and water mixture. Hang them to dry until the gelatin hardens, then pop and remove the balloons carefully.

Can I use regular frosting instead of fondant?

Yes, blue-tinted buttercream can be used to mimic water if you prefer not to work with fondant.

What kind of cake flavors work best?

Vanilla, lemon, and light chocolate flavors all work well for this design, as they complement the light and fun appearance.

Can I use toy ducks instead of fondant?

Yes, clean, food-safe toy ducks are an easy and charming alternative to handmade fondant ducks.

How far in advance can I make the cake?

The cake layers can be baked up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container. Decorations should be added the day of or the day before serving.

Are the gelatin bubbles safe to eat?

Yes, they’re made from edible gelatin. However, they’re more decorative than flavorful and are often removed before eating.

How can I prevent the gelatin bubbles from collapsing?

Make sure the gelatin is fully set and completely dry before removing the balloon. Humidity can affect the texture, so store them in a dry environment.

What food coloring should I use?

Use gel food coloring for the best intensity and to avoid watering down your fondant or buttercream.

Can I freeze this cake?

Yes, the undecorated cake layers can be frozen. Wrap tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before decorating.

Do I need a special cake pan?

No, standard round cake pans work perfectly. You can use multiple sizes if you want a tiered or domed design.

Conclusion

The Floating Ducks Water Cake with Bubbles is a stunning and delightful dessert that brings both creativity and flavor to the table. Whether you’re making it for a child’s party or a themed celebration, this cake is sure to impress with its charming duck figures and airy edible bubbles. With a moist interior and an eye-catching exterior, it’s a perfect blend of fun and finesse.

Print