Galaxy Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180c/160 fan/gas mark 4. Grease and bottom line two deep 20cm spring form cake tins. Using the microwave on high, melt the butter with the chocolate in 30 second bursts until glossy and smooth. Alternatively melt in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Leave to cool slightly.
• Combine the sugar and flour in a large bowl, getting rid of any lumps with your fingertips, then stir in the bicarb and salt. In a separate jug beat the eggs with the sour cream then pour into the dry ingredients and whisk until well combined. Scrape in the cooled chocolate mixture and beat until you have a smooth chocolatey batter. Stir in the hot coffee then divide the mixture between the tins and bake for 40-45mins until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tins for 10 mins then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• While the cakes are cooling make the buttercream. Using a food mixer or an electric whisk beat the butter with the icing sugar, vanilla and a pinch of salt for 10 mins until very light and fluffy, then whisk in the milk. Set aside.
• Slice each of the cooled cakes into two. Break the Mars bars into small pieces and stir the sea salt through the caramel. Sandwich the cakes together using a 1/3 of the caramel and Mars between each layer, leaving the top layer free for icing.
• Crumb coat the cake completely in a layer of white buttercream then pop in the fridge to set. Meanwhile divide the remaining butter cream between 4 bowls, and colour each with the black, blue, green and purple food colouring.
• Using a palette knife dot the cake at random with a little of each coloured buttercream then using the cake scraper go around the sides to blend the colours together and smooth the cake. Keep layering different colours of buttercream until you have your desired galaxy appearance.
• Dot areas with the navy and silver lustre dust so that you create a moon beam effect around the cake. Using the paintbrush and white pearlescent paint, draw clusters of stars and dot in silver balls, being as random or as coordinated as you and your galaxy like.

Steps:

• SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:.
• 4-inch round cutter, pastry bag, 1-inch round pastry tip, candy thermometer, large offset spatula and small paintbrush.
• MAKE THE CAKE:.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line 4 (8-inch) cake pans with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, stir together cake mixes, eggs, water and oil until thoroughly combined.
• Evenly divide batter between the prepared cake pans. Bake for about 35 minutes until a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Set aside to cool.
• Once completely cooled, remove from pans. Use a serrated knife to level off the domed tops of the cakes.
• In a large bowl, place the contents of the cans of frosting. Add purple food coloring until the desired color is reached and mix until fully incorporated. Fit piping bag with a large round tip. Add purple frosting.
• Attach one cake layer to a cake board with a dollop of frosting. Place a 4-inch circle cookie cutter in the center of the cake and fully frost around it, leaving the area inside the cookie cutter.
• Then, use the cookie cutter to cut out a center hole in the middle of the next two layers.
• Place a layer on top of the first, frost the ring of cake, then place the next cut layer on top.
• Fill the center cavity of the cake with a mix of galaxy sprinkles, M&Ms, rock candy and Pop Rocks.
• Add a final layer of frosting around the cake ring and attach the last cake layer upside down.
• Frost the top and sides of the cake with a thin, even layer of frosting to trap in any crumbs.
• Chill cake, uncovered, in a fridge for 30 minutes.
• Once chilled, add a 1/2-inch layer of frosting around the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Smooth the tops and sides of the cake. Make sure top coat is straight and level. The smoother the coat of frosting, the better the mirror glaze will adhere.
• Chill in fridge 1 hour.
• MAKE THE GLAZE:.
• Place white chocolate chips in a large bowl. Set aside.
• Whisk together 1/3 cup cold water and gelatin in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
• In a small pot over medium-high heat, stir together 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons water, sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil.
• Remove from heat and whisk in gelatin. Mix until smooth. Add condensed milk and mix until combined.
• Pour mixture over white chocolate chips. Whisk until smooth.
• Stir occasionally while the mixture cools to 95 degrees F, using a candy thermometer.
• Take out 3/4 cup of the mixture and divide between 3 bowls.
• Color the large portion navy blue. Color the three smaller portions light blue, magenta and purple.
• Place cake on an upside bowl glass or cake pan set on a parchment-lined baking sheet. The diameter of the glass or pan should be smaller than the diameter of the cake.
• Once the temperature of the glazes reaches 90 degrees F, pour the dark blue glaze all over the cake. The excess glaze will run down the sides of the cake and into the pan.
• Using a spoon, create streaks across the cake with the light blue, magenta, and purple glazes.
• Gently glide a large offset spatula across the top of the cake to smooth the top and create a marbled effect. Let the excess glaze drip off.
• Use a small paint brush to splatter glitter all over the cake, then sprinkle with silver stars.
• Once the glaze has set, about 20 minutes, cut off the excess glaze drips.
• Cake can be stored, covered, for up to 5 days in the fridge.

Steps:

• Prepare the cakes according to the package, or use your favorite cake recipe.
• To make the buttercream, mix the butter, vanilla, milk, and powdered sugar in a bowl with a hand mixer.
• Once the cakes are baked and cooled, place one cake on a turntable. If you don't have one, you can use a plate. Slice the top off the cakes to create a flat surface.
• Place a large dollop of the buttercream on the cake and spread to create an even middle layer of frosting.
• Place the second cake over the layer of buttercream.
• Frost the entire cake to create the crumb layer, creating a smooth surface.
• Place the cake in the freezer to keep cold.
• For the glaze, boil the water, sugar, and condensed milk in a pot for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
• Bloom the gelatin in 8 cups (2 liters) of cold water for 5 minutes, then wring the gelatin sheets of excess water and mix into the sugar mixture.
• Pour the sugar mixture over the chocolate, letting it sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the chocolate to soften.
• Using an immersion blender, carefully blend the chocolate and the liquid, making sure that you are not blending in air bubbles by lifting up the blender too high.
• Pour the glaze through a sieve into a large bowl to remove any excess bubbles.
• Separate the glaze into 5 different bowls (one medium-sized bowl and four smaller bowls).
• Color the biggest bowl of glaze with black and navy blue food coloring, stir the coloring with the glaze until the color is distributed evenly.
• In the next bowl, add the navy blue food coloring and stir.
• In the next bowl, add the lighter blue food coloring and stir.
• In the next bowl, add the purple food coloring and stir.
• In the next bowl, add the pink food coloring and stir.
• When you are ready to use the glaze, make sure each one is around 90-96°F (32-35°C). Microwave if necessary. Pour the colored glazes back into the biggest bowl of black and blue glaze. Swirl them gently with a spoon.
• Place the cake on a stand over a sheet tray to catch any excess glaze. Carefully pour the glaze over the cake.
• Dip a brush into the white food coloring and fling it onto the cake to create stars.
• Enjoy!