Surprise Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 2 8-inch cake pans.
• Place the butter and sugar into a mixing bowl, and mash together with a wooden spoon until the mixture is creamy and thoroughly combined. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, and pour into the butter mixture. Stir until combined.
• Sift the flour and baking powder together in a bowl, and lightly stir into the butter mixture. Pour half the batter into each prepared cake pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a cake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to finish cooling on wire racks.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a half sheet pan or jelly roll pan with cooking spray.
• For the red-and-blue cake: Combine the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl. Beat the sugar and butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in the vanilla. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until fully incorporated. Stir in the milk until the batter is smooth.
• Divide the batter between two medium bowls. Use food coloring to tint one bowl red and the other blue. Transfer each of the colored batters to plastic piping bags or resealable plastic bags. Snip the end of each bag, and pipe your batter into the half sheet pan or jelly roll pan in 1/2-inch-thick rows, alternating colors.
• Bake the sheet cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 12 to 15 minutes. Let the cake cool to room temperature. Once cool, use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the striped cake.
• For the white cake: Combine the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl. Beat the sugar and butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in the vanilla. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until fully incorporated. Stir in the milk until the batter is smooth. Transfer the batter to a piping bag or resealable plastic bag. Coat an 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Pipe a thin layer of the white batter, about 1 inch deep, into the bottom of the pan.
• In the loaf pan, stand the star cakes upright and press them into the batter, creating two rows, side by side. Pipe the remaining white batter into the pan, covering the stars.
• Bake the loaf for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then unmold it and cool to room temperature.
• For the buttercream frosting: Beat the butter until it is light and fluffy, preferably in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the confectioners' sugar, 1 to 2 cups at a time, allowing each batch to incorporate with the butter. (Use less confectioners' sugar for a slightly more buttery, looser frosting; use more confectioners' sugar for a slightly sweeter, stiffer frosting.) Increase the speed to medium, and add the salt, vanilla extract and cream. Beat until smooth, an additional 3 minutes.
• Use a serrated knife to level the cake and to carve off any dark brown spots. Place the cake on a serving plate.
• Frost the cake with an initial thin layer of buttercream. Place the cake in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to allow the frosting to harden. (Note: This first layer doesn't need to look perfect, as the next layer of buttercream will cover it up.)
• Using an offset spatula, and working in an upward direction around the cake, add a second layer of frosting, approximately 1/2 inch thick. Add the remaining buttercream to a piping bag or resealable plastic bag fitted with a star tip (such as a Wilton #32 tip). Working in rows, pipe small dollops of frosting onto the top of your cake.
• Sprinkle with the red, white and blue sprinkles.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.
• You have to bake 3 cakes, but bake them one at a time, mixing up the batter only when you're ready to bake. For 2 of the cakes, tint the batter green. For the third cake, tint the batter red. Bake each cake until the center springs back when lightly touched, about 45 minutes.
• Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert the cake onto a wire rack to cool. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes so the cake becomes firm.
• Carve and level the cakes: Using plates, bowls, glasses or round cookie cutters to trace around, cut the following: From the two green cakes, cut out 4 rounds: 8 inch, 6 inch, 4 inch, and 2 inch. Then from the red cake, cut out 4 rounds: 7 inch, 5 inch, 3 inch, and 1 inch. Take the round cookie cutter and cut a hole through the centers of the 4 inch, 5 inch, 6 inch, and 7 inch layers. (Save all the scraps for making Christmas-colored cake pop dough!)
• Make the buttercream frosting. Measure out 1 cup and tint it red. Tint the rest dark green.
• Spread a little green frosting on the cake board, lay down the 8 inch green cake layer, and spread a layer of frosting on top. Add the 7 inch red layer and repeat, taking care not to frost the inside edges of the center hole. Continue stacking and frosting gradually smaller cake layers until you reach the 4 inch layer.
• Take the 3 cups of candy and fill the center core of the tree, pressing down a little to compact the candy. Frost the top of the 4 inch layer and continue stacking and frosting until all the layers are stacked.
• Once stacked, take a serrated knife and gently carve away the sharp edges of the layers to form a tall cone shape. Apply a very thin "crumb coat" of frosting all over the outside of the cake. Set in the fridge for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the Christmas lights. Melt the Candy Melts. Cut the colored Tic Tac candies in half crosswise. Use a toothpick dipped in the melted candy to attach a Tic Tac to the end of a peanut M and M of the same color (the M and M is the bulb and the Tic Tac is the base). You will need about 40 of these.
• To make the star for the top of the tree, trace around a star cookie cutter onto parchment. Pipe an outline of white melted candy, then fill in the shape. Place a lollipop stick in the center and cover with more melted candy. Sprinkle with sanding sugar and let set at room temperature.
• Place the green frosting into a piping bag fitted with a number 21 open star tip. Starting at the top of the cake, pipe 3/4 inch long strands of frosting in neat rows around the entire cake, like layers of pine branches on a Christmas tree.
• Once the cake is covered, place the red frosting into a piping bag fitted with a number 21 piping tip and pipe draping lines of "tinsel" around the cake. Attach the colored M and M lights directly to the red frosting. Work quickly here, as the frosting will start to form a crust, which can make attaching the decorations difficult.
• Take the star and flip it over. Coat the back with white melted candy and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Allow to set. Insert the lollipop stick into the center of the top of the tree.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8 x 3 inch round cake pan. Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment paper.
• In a stand mixer, with the whisk or paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, and eggs on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Using the tip of a sharp knife, scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the mixer bowl. Add the oil to the creamed mixture and combine.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Add the flour mixture and milk to the creamed mixture and beat on high speed until the flour is completely mixed, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Scrape the batter into the pan and use an offset spatula to smooth the top.
• Bake until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes. Check after 45 minutes, and if the top is browning too much, tent with foil. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then run a metal spatula around the edge of the cake and invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• In a stand mixer with the whisk or paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed for at least 5 minutes, until the butter has lightened in color and is thoroughly whipped. Using the tip of a sharp knife, scrape the vanilla seeds into the butter and beat to incorporate.
• Add 1 cup of the sugar and begin mixing on low speed to combine, then beat on high speed for about 2 minutes. Repeat this process 1 cup at a time until all the sugar has been added. Add milk a dash at a time if the mixture becomes too thick or dry. Scrape down the sides as needed and make sure no sugar is visible.
• The frosting will last for 1 month in the freezer, 2 weeks in the fridge, and 3 days at room temperature.

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a half-sheet pan with parchment and spray with nonstick spray. Spray a 12-cup Bundt pan.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5 to 10 minutes, stopping a few times to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for 30 seconds after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.
• In a large bowl, whisk the flour, salt and baking powder together for 30 seconds to distribute the leavening. With the mixer on low, alternate additions of the flour mixture and the buttermilk. Using a large rubber spatula, scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to ensure the batter is well mixed.
• Transfer a generous one-quarter to one-third of the batter to a mixing bowl. Add the green food coloring and stir until the batter is a uniform color. Spread the green batter in the prepared sheet pan and bake until just baked through and firm but not yet springy, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool, then freeze for 20 to 30 minutes until firm.
• Put one-third of the undyed batter in the bottom of the prepared Bundt pan. Using a 2-inch "D"-shaped cookie cutter (you can use other shapes as well) cut 14 or 15 letters from the green cake. Stand the letters, upside-down, in the Bundt pan, with the straight edges toward the center of the pan. Don't press the letters all the way into the batter, just enough to keep them upright. Arrange the letters as close together as you can while still keeping them properly angled.
• Fill a large pastry bag with the remaining undyed batter and pipe it into the Bundt pan, making sure to fill any hard-to-reach areas and covering the letters completely (see Cook's Note). Bake until the cake is golden brown and springs back when gently touched, 50 to 60 minutes. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
• For the Swiss meringue frosting: In a stand mixer bowl, combine the egg whites, sugar and salt. Place over a medium saucepan of simmering water to create a double boiler, making sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl (you want the steam to heat the egg whites, not the simmering water). Whisking constantly, heat the egg white mixture until the sugar has completely dissolved and feels hot to the touch. (If you are nervous about uncooked eggs, attach a thermometer the bowl and make sure the mixture reaches 170 degrees F.) Transfer the bowl to the stand mixer and beat the mixture on high with the whisk attachment until very stiff, shiny white peaks form and the meringue is room temperature, about 10 minutes.
• To assemble the cake: Run a long, thin knife around the edge of the Bundt pan to release the cake. Place a cake platter, face down, on top of the Bundt and flip the pan over. Gently lift away the pan, leaving the cake on the platter.
• Coat the cake with an even layer of Swiss meringue. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350°F In an ungreased 9-inch cake pan, mix the topping ingredients. Spread evenly in the pan.
• In small, microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate and 1/4 cup water on High 1-1.5 minutes or until chocolate is melted. Stir to blend.
• In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and 1/2 cup butter with electric mixer on medium until light and fluffy.
• Beat in vanilla and eggs until well blended.
• On low speed, beat in 3/4 cup of the flour and the milk. Add remaining 1/2 cup flour; beat well.
• Stir in chocolate mixture until blended. Pour batter over the topping in the pan.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen. Place serving plate upside down over cake in pan. Turn the plate and pan over. Remove pan. Serve warm or cool.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray two 8-inch round cake pans; place 8-inch round piece of cooking parchment paper in bottom of each pan. Grease or spray parchment paper. In large bowl, beat 1 box cake mix and ingredients called for on box with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on high speed about 2 minutes or until smooth. Spread in pans. Bake as directed on box. Cool 10 minutes; run knife around sides of pans to loosen cakes. Gently remove from pans to cooling rack; remove parchment paper. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, repeat to make 2 more layers.
• Flatten cake layers by trimming off rounded tops. In 2 layers, cut small round out of center, using 4-inch round cutter.
• To assemble cake: Place 1 uncut cake layer on cake stand or serving platter; spread 1/3 cup frosting on top. Top with 1 layer with center removed; spread 1/3 cup frosting on top. Top with second layer with center removed; spread 1/3 cup frosting on top.
• Fill cake with candies and candy sprinkles. Gently press candies to level; top with full cake layer. Frost side and top of cake with remaining frosting.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, soup, eggs and water; beat on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium 2 minutes. Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. , Bake 30-33 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Frost with cream cheese frosting.

Steps:

• Add the flour, baking powder, sugar, butter, milk, vanilla extract, vinegar, and banana into a bowl and mix until mostly smooth, put half of the batter in bunt pan and set aside.
• Add melted chocolate, milk, and egg white into a bowl and beat. Add mixture into bunt pan be sure the chocolate does not touch the side of the pan.
• Add the rest of the batter and bake at 350°F for 30 to 40 minutes.
• Let cool for 10 minutes and enjoy.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Melt the chocolate and butter together over hot water.
• Meanwhile, sift together 1 1/4 cups of the sugar, sifted flour, baking powder and salt.
• Stir the dry mixture into the chocolate mixture and blend.
• Stir in milk and vanilla.
• Pour into a greased, square 9 by 9-inch cake pan.
• Mix brown sugar, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and cocoa powder and sprinkle over the batter.
• Pour coffee over and bake for 40 minutes.
• Serve warm or cold from the pan.

Steps:

• Mix cake mix with pumpkin, mixture will be thick.
• Bake according to box directions in a 9 x 13" pan.
• Cool cake. When serving, top with cool whip and drizzle with syrups for a pretty presentation.

Steps:

• Cake:.
• Preheat oven to 325 Degrees.
• Mix sugar and oil together in mixing bowl of electric mixer.
• Add eggs and mix well.
• Add buttermilk and chopped prunes, mixing well.
• Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
• Stir dry ingredients into sugar mixture then add vanilla extract and pecans.
• Mix well.
• Pour into a well greased 12 cup Bundt pan.
• Bake for 70 minutes.
• Remove from oven and while hot pour Buttermilk Glaze over cake.
• Glaze:.
• In heavy saucepan combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil over low heat and cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 13x9 inch cake pan.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter or margarine and sugar until light. Beat in eggs, one at a time; add 1 teaspoon vanilla.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt and cocoa powder. Add to creamed mixture alternately with water, beating after each addition. Stir in sauerkraut. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 to 40 minutes. Let cake cool in pan. Frost with Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting. Cut into squares to serve.
• To Make Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting: Melt the semi-sweet chocolate pieces and 4 T butter or margarine over low heat. Remove from heat. Blend in the sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gradually add sifted confectioners' sugar to make spreading consistency. Beat well. Spread over cooled cake.

Steps:

• Break angel food or pound cake into bite size pieces. Put into a 9x13 inch pan (preferably glass).
• Dissolve 1 package of flavored gelatin in 1 cup of water and pour over cake pieces, spreading to the edges of pan. Drain the peaches and pour the juice over the gelatin in the pan. Slice bananas on top of gelatin. Arrange peach slices on top of banana slices. If desired, add crushed pineapple.
• Prepare instant pudding according to instructions on box and spread evenly over fruit.
• Spread whipped topping on top of the pudding. Try to keep the layers separate.
• Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.