Description
The Burn Away Cake is a show-stopping dessert designed to reveal a secret message or design hidden beneath a thin, burnable top layer. Whether you’re announcing a baby, celebrating a birthday, or pulling off a sweet surprise, this cake combines rich flavor with dramatic flair. Under the burn-away topper lies a classic frosted cake — decadent, delightful, and unforgettable. Keywords: burn away cake, reveal cake, dramatic dessert, secret message cake, celebration cake
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- For the Cake (Vanilla base):
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Burn-Away Topper:
- Edible rice paper or wafer paper
- Edible ink (for printing your reveal message/design)
- Lighter (for the burn effect — use with caution and outdoors or in a ventilated area)
Instructions
- Bake the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
- Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour.
- Divide batter between pans and bake for 25–30 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and milk to reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Assemble: Layer and frost the cake. Smooth the top flat.
- Add Burn-Away Topper: Print your design/message on rice paper using edible ink. Place gently on top of the frosted cake.
- Burn Away Reveal: Use a lighter to carefully burn the edges of the rice paper — it will curl away and reveal the frosted surprise beneath!
Notes
- Only use edible, food-safe rice or wafer paper and edible ink for safety.
- Burn in a safe environment — outdoors or over a plate to catch ash.
- Can be adapted for any flavor cake or personalized message underneath.
- Details
Nutrition
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
