Number cakes are delicious desserts that are often served at birthday parties or special events.
They are usually decorated with frosted icing and colorful sprinkles.
The most common type of number cake consists of three layers: chocolate sponge cake topped with vanilla buttercream, then covered with colored fondant.
Number cakes are fun to make because they require only basic baking skills. And since they are simple to decorate, you don’t need to spend much time preparing them.
This article will walk you through how to make the perfect number cake for your next birthday party!
What Is A Number Cake?
A number cake is a popular dessert consisting of three layers.
It’s made by stacking two thin sponge cakes on top of each other and then covering it all in a thick layer of white frosting.
Then, the cake is decorated with various colors of frosting and sprinkles.
The first layer of the cake is called the base layer. It contains the main ingredients of the cake – flour, eggs, sugar, cocoa powder, oil, and salt.
You can use any flavor of sponge cake as long as it has a similar texture.
For example, if you want to make a chocolate sponge cake, you can use either a regular chocolate cake recipe or a chocolate sponge cake recipe.
The second layer is called the middle layer.
It is usually made from a yellow cake mix (or cake batter) and contains additional ingredients such as milk, egg yolks, sour cream, and lemon juice.
If you’re making a yellow cake, you’ll also need some powdered sugar.
The final layer is called the topping layer. It is made from a white cake mix and contains no additional ingredients.
Instead, it’s flavored with vanilla extract and sometimes even has nuts added to it.
You can choose any color of frosting or sprinkles for this layer. But be careful not to overdo it.
Too many decorations can make the cake look messy and unappetizing.
You can also add different flavors to the frosting. For example, you could add strawberry jam instead of plain frosting.
Or you could try adding chopped strawberries into the frosting before spreading it onto the cake.
If you’d like to learn more about how to make a number cake, check out our easy recipe guide below.
Number Cake Recipe
To make a number cake, start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8×8 inch pan and line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
Next, prepare the base layer. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Add in the shortening, eggs, and buttermilk and beat well until smooth.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes. Let cool completely.
While the cake is cooling, prepare the middle layer. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix in the oil and water.
Beat together until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Fold in the melted butter and vanilla extract.
Pour the batter evenly over the cooled base layer. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Prepare the topping layer. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk in the milk and vanilla extract. Stir in the melted butter.
Spread the batter evenly over the middle layer. Sprinkle with colored sugar or sprinkles.
Decorate the cake. Once the cake is completely cool, spread frosting on top using a spatula. Use a knife to swirl the frosting around the sides.
Cut the cake into squares. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Tips & Tricks
• When cutting the cake, slice through the middle of the cake rather than along the edge. This will prevent the cake from breaking apart while you cut it.
• To get rid of crumbs left behind when cutting the cake, wipe the blade of the knife against a damp cloth.
• Be sure to let the cake cool completely before decorating it. Otherwise, the frosting may melt off the cake!
• You can always add extra frosting to the top of the cake if needed. Just remember that too much frosting will make the cake soggy.
• If you want to add a special touch to the cake, consider making a few batches of icing ahead of time.
Then, just pipe some icing onto the cake as soon as it’s done baking.
How To Make Number Cupcakes
Cupcake recipes are usually easier to follow than standard cake recipes because they require fewer ingredients.
However, cupcakes do have their own set of challenges. For instance, cupcakes tend to rise faster than cakes.
So, if you don’t use enough baking powder, the cupcakes might end up being flat.
Step 1
The first step in making cupcakes is preparing the pan. Line the cups with liners and then spray them with nonstick cooking spray.
Next, grease the bottom of the pans. Finally, dust the pans with flour so the cupcakes won’t stick.
Step 2
The next step is to mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.
Step 3
Now, add the wet ingredients. First, stir in the vegetable oil. Then, add the egg whites and vanilla extract. Lastly, fold in the chocolate chips.
Step 4
Now, pour the batter into the prepared pans and place them in the oven.
Step 5
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean.
Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
Step 6
When the cupcakes are ready, prepare the frosting.
In a medium bowl or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar. Continue mixing until light and fluffy.
Add the vanilla extract and milk to the mixture. Divide the frosting between two bowls.
One bowl should contain white frosting and the other should contain yellow frosting. The white frosting should be thicker than the yellow frosting.
Step 7
Next, place one-half of each color of frosting on top of the cooled cupcakes.
Using a spoon, gently smooth out the frosting. Repeat this process with the remaining frosting colors.
For added interest, sprinkle the tops of the cupcakes with sprinkles.
Final Thoughts
Number cakes are fun to make and serve at parties. They’re also great for kids. Kids love to count how many pieces there are in a number cake.
Plus, they’ll enjoy helping you assemble the cake. You can find lots more fun number cake recipes online!
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