Description
The Jungle Boy Baby Shower Cake is a playful, tropical-themed cake that celebrates the arrival of a new baby with adorable jungle animals, lush greenery, and sweet, soft layers. Decorated with fondant leaves, baby animals like lions, monkeys, and elephants, and pastel jungle tones, this cake is a centerpiece that’s as delightful to eat as it is to look at. Keywords: jungle baby shower cake, safari baby cake, baby boy jungle theme, animal themed cake, baby shower centerpiece cake
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- For the Cake (Vanilla or Banana):
- 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 milk or buttermilk
- (Optional: Add mashed banana for a banana-flavored cake)
- For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2–4 tbsp milk or cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring in pastel green, blue, tan, and white
- Decorations:
- Fondant or gum paste jungle animals (lion, elephant, monkey, giraffe)
- Fondant leaves, vines, or trees
- Lettering cut-outs (e.g., “It’s a Boy!” or baby’s name)
- Optional: gold accents or edible glitter
Instructions
- Bake the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two or three 8-inch cake pans. Mix dry ingredients. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla. Alternate adding flour and milk. Divide and bake for 30–35 minutes. Cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: Beat butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, then vanilla and milk to reach a fluffy, spreadable consistency. Tint in soft jungle colors as desired.
- Assemble and Frost: Stack cake layers with frosting between each. Apply a smooth coat of green or neutral-toned buttercream.
- Decorate:
- Arrange fondant jungle animals around the base and on top.
- Add vines, leaves, or tree designs using fondant or piped frosting.
- Use letter cutters to place a baby message or name on the front or top.
- Add details like a fondant baby in a leaf or a sleeping lion cub for extra cuteness.
Notes
- Make ahead: cake layers can be baked and frozen; fondant figures can be shaped days ahead.
- For a two-tier version, use a 6-inch top tier and secure with dowels.
- Add a matching jungle smash cake for extra baby shower fun.
- Details
Nutrition
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
