Vibrant Whimsical Cake House (Print)

Tender vanilla sponge with vivid buttercream creating a charming house-shaped centerpiece.

# What You Need:

→ Cake

01 - 2 ½ cups (2.5 cups) all-purpose flour
02 - 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk

→ Buttercream Frosting

09 - 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
10 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2–3 tablespoons milk
12 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
13 - Assorted food coloring gels

→ Decorations

14 - Candy-coated chocolates for details
15 - Wafer cookies or chocolate sticks for accents
16 - Green-dyed shredded coconut (optional)

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x13 inch rectangular cake pan with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
03 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in pure vanilla extract.
05 - Add dry ingredients in three increments, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry mixture. Mix until just combined.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake for 30–35 minutes. Confirm doneness with a clean toothpick inserted in center.
07 - Allow cake to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Beat softened butter until creamy, gradually add powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Mix in vanilla extract and milk until spreadable consistency is achieved. Divide and tint with food colors as desired.
09 - Once cake is fully cooled, cut and arrange pieces into a house form using rectangles for walls and triangles for the roof.
10 - Apply colored buttercream to create walls, roof, and doors. Use candies and wafer cookies for embellishments. Add green coconut for grass if desired.
11 - Chill assembled cake briefly to allow decorations to set before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Watching kids' faces light up when they see a house made entirely of cake is worth every minute of decorating.
  • The vanilla sponge is tender enough that even small hands can help frost and arrange the pieces without frustration.
  • You get to play with colors and candies like a kid again, except you actually get to eat the final masterpiece.
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are essential; cold butter and eggs won't blend smoothly and your batter will look curdled.
  • Don't cut the cake into pieces until it's completely cool, or it will crumble and you'll lose your clean edges.
  • Buttercream made with gel food coloring stays vibrant, but liquid food coloring will thin the frosting and make it taste watery.
  • The cake can be baked a day ahead and frosted the morning of your event, so you don't have to rush on party day.
03 -
  • Chill the assembled cake for 15-20 minutes before serving so the buttercream sets and candies stay firmly in place during transport.
  • Cut the cake with a warm, damp knife wiped clean between each slice; this prevents frosting from tearing and keeps edges neat.

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