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7 Creative Bento Cake Ideas Recipe

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Discover delicious and customizable bento cake ideas with this simple, versatile recipe. Perfect for creating mini layered cakes, these bento cakes are fluffy, moist, and easy to decorate with colorful frosting and fun toppings. Whether you prefer traditional all-purpose flour or gluten-free almond flour, enjoy a delightful sweet treat suitable for various dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Batter Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or coconut sugar)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based butter)
  • 1 large egg (or 1/4 cup applesauce)
  • 1/3 cup milk (almond or oat milk)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Frosting Ingredients

  • unsalted butter (quantity not specified; estimate 1/2 cup for frosting)
  • powdered sugar (quantity not specified; estimate 1-1.5 cups)
  • cream (quantity not specified; estimate 2-3 tbsp)
  • vanilla extract (additional amount as desired for frosting)
  • optional: food coloring, edible markers, sprinkles, berries for decoration

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 4-inch round cake pan with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3 minutes. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well to combine all wet ingredients.
  2. Mix and Bake: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, ensuring not to overmix to keep the batter light. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top with a spatula, and bake for 22 to 25 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center — it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
  3. Cool and Level: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, level the cake’s top with a knife or cake leveler, then slice horizontally into 2 to 3 layers depending on your preferred thickness for layering.
  4. Make Frosting and Fill: Beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar while mixing. Incorporate cream and vanilla extract, continuing to beat the frosting for about 5 minutes until smooth and fluffy. Reserve one-third of the frosting for the outer layer and color the remaining frosting as desired. Spread the colored frosting generously between the cake layers and apply a thin crumb coat on the outside. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set the crumb coat.
  5. Decorate: After chilling, apply the final layer of frosting smoothly over the cake. Use piping bags and edible markers to create fun designs, personalize the cake with names or colors, and add finishing touches such as sprinkles or fresh berries to enhance the visual appeal and flavor.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour.
  • Use plant-based butter and non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk to make the cake dairy-free.
  • Replace the egg with 1/4 cup of applesauce for an egg-free option.
  • Ensure not to overmix the batter to maintain a soft and airy texture.
  • Use a toothpick to check doneness precisely to avoid overbaking.
  • Chilling after crumb coating helps achieve clean and smooth frosting application.
  • Get creative with colors and decorations to customize your bento cakes.

Keywords: bento cake, mini cakes, layered cake, gluten-free cake, customizable cake, easy baking, dessert, individual cakes, frosting, cake decorating

Find it online: https://todayfoodrecipe.com/7-creative-bento-cake-ideas-recipe/