Description
The Butterfly Garden Cake is a charming and vibrant creation layered with moist vanilla sponge, lush buttercream, and adorned with butterflies, edible flowers, and fresh greenery. A celebration of spring and nature, this cake is a delightful centerpiece for garden parties or birthdays.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- For the Cake:
- 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
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- For the Buttercream:
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3–4 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- Gel food coloring (pastel green, sky blue, pale yellow, pink, etc.)
- For Decoration:
- Edible butterflies (rice paper or wafer paper)
- Edible flowers (e.g., pansies, violets, chamomile)
- Fresh herbs (e.g., mint, thyme, rosemary sprigs)
- Optional: sugar pearls, gold dust, or butterfly-shaped sprinkles
Instructions
- Bake the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one by one, then vanilla.
- Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, mixing until just combined.
- Divide into pans and bake 25–30 minutes. Cool completely.
- Prepare the Buttercream:
- Beat butter until light and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and cream.
- Divide and tint with gel coloring as desired for pastel floral themes.
- Assemble and Decorate:
- Level cake layers and spread buttercream between each layer.
- Frost the entire cake and smooth the sides. Chill to set.
- Arrange edible butterflies and flowers around the cake in a garden-inspired layout.
- Add herbs for greenery and texture. Finish with sprinkles or gold dust if using.
Notes
- Use a mix of pastel buttercream colors to create a garden-like appearance.
- Edible butterflies can be found online or made using wafer paper and butterfly cutters.
- Best served at room temperature for the softest texture and fullest flavor.
Nutrition
- Calories: ~530
- Sugar: ~50g
- Sodium: ~200mg
- Fat: ~25g
- Saturated Fat: ~15g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~8g
- Trans Fat: ~0.5g
- Carbohydrates: ~70g
- Fiber: ~1g
- Protein: ~5g
- Cholesterol: ~90mg
