Caterpillar Cake Recipe
Caterpillar cakes aren't just adorable confections; they're edible art, culinary chameleons, and gateways to a world of baking joy. Forget the stuffy, rectangular cakes of yore, these wriggly wonders bring a smile to every face, young or old. But where did this delightful dessert come from?
Ingredients
Sponge Cake:
- 3 large eggs 150g
- 170 g caster sugar superfine sugar
- 75 g plain flour all-purpose flour
- 25 g cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp milk 30ml
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil 15ml
Chocolate Buttercream:
- 100 g unsalted butter softened
- 200 g icing sugar powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp milk 30ml
- 100 g dark chocolate melted and cooled
Decorations (Optional):
- Chocolate drops candy eyes, sprinkles, mini marshmallows, etc.
Instructions
Make the Sponge Cake:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F) fan or 180°C (350°F) conventional. Line a Swiss roll tin (jelly roll pan) with baking paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until thick, pale, and doubled in volume.
- Sift in flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Gently fold in until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Stir in milk and oil until incorporated. Pour batter into the prepared tin and spread evenly.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until springy to the touch. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Chocolate Buttercream:
- In a bowl, cream softened butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add icing sugar, beating until smooth and pale.
- Stir in vanilla extract and milk until combined. Beat until light and creamy.
- Gently fold in cooled melted chocolate until fully incorporated.
Assemble the Caterpillar Cake:
- Gently spread a thin layer of buttercream over the cooled sponge cake.
- Starting from the short end, carefully roll up the cake as tightly as possible without cracking.
- Transfer the cake roll to a serving platter, seam-side down.
- Spread the remaining buttercream over the cake, creating a smooth caterpillar body.
- Get creative! Decorate your caterpillar with chocolate drops for eyes, candy for legs, sprinkles for scales, and any other fun toppings you like.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- For a richer chocolate flavor, use dark brown sugar instead of caster sugar in the sponge cake.
- If your buttercream feels too stiff, add a little more milk until it's easier to spread.
- Get the kids involved in decorating the caterpillar!