Get ready to rev up your baking skills and create a show-stopping dessert that will make every kid (and kid-at-heart) go wild! This Monster Truck Cake isn't just a dessert - it's an edible masterpiece that combines the thrill of monster trucks with the deliciousness of a rich chocolate cake. Whether you're planning a birthday party or want to surprise a truck-loving friend, this wonky cake will be the centerpiece that leaves everyone in awe and wanting more!
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- Fondant for decoration
- Monster truck cake topper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together until well blended.
- In another bowl, mix together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently with a spatula or electric mixer on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula if needed.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare your fondant decorations. Roll out the fondant on a clean surface dusted with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Use cookie cutters or molds to create fun shapes and designs for your monster truck theme.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate or cake board. Spread a layer of frosting (your choice of buttercream or ganache) on top of the first layer.
- Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the frosted layer. Apply a crumb coat (a thin layer of frosting) over the entire cake to seal in crumbs. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to set the crumb coat.
- After the crumb coat has set, apply a final layer of frosting over the entire cake, smoothing it out with a spatula. If desired, you can create texture or waves to resemble dirt or mud.
- Decorate the top and sides of the cake with your fondant shapes and the monster truck cake topper. Get creative with colors and designs to make it fun and festive!
- Once decorated, let the cake sit at room temperature for a short time before serving. Slice into 12 servings and enjoy your Monster Truck Cake!
Tips
- Ingredient Temperature Matters: Ensure all ingredients like eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature for a smoother batter and more even baking.
- Don't Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense cake.
- Use Parchment Paper: For easier cake removal, line your cake pans with parchment paper in addition to greasing and flouring.
- Fondant Decoration Hack: Keep your fondant from drying out by covering it with a damp cloth when not in use.
- Crumb Coat is Key: The initial thin layer of frosting helps seal in crumbs and creates a smooth surface for your final decorative layer.
- Chill Between Layers: Refrigerating the cake between the crumb coat and final frosting helps create a more professional finish.
- Get Creative with Decorations: Don't be afraid to add extra details like chocolate "mud" or crushed cookie "terrain" to enhance the monster truck theme!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 45mg
