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7 Creative Bento Cake Ideas Recipe

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Discover seven delightful bento cake ideas featuring a moist, fluffy cake base perfect for personalized decorations. This easy-to-make recipe uses simple ingredients and offers options for gluten-free and vegan substitutions, making it adaptable for various dietary preferences. Ideal for creating cute, small cakes with visually appealing frostings, these bento cakes are perfect gifts or treats for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or coconut sugar)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based butter)
  • 1 large egg (or 1/4 cup applesauce)
  • 1/3 cup milk (almond or oat milk)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Frosting Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or plant-based cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Food coloring (optional)
  • Sprinkles or berries for decoration (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 4-inch round cake pan with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3 minutes using an electric mixer.
  2. Mix and Bake: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined, then pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.
  3. Cool and Level: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Once fully cooled, level the cake’s top with a knife or cake leveler and slice the cake horizontally into 2 to 3 layers, depending on size and preference.
  4. Make Frosting and Fill: Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla extract, continuing to beat for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Set aside one-third of the frosting to cover the cake’s outer layer. Color the remaining frosting as desired using food coloring. Spread frosting evenly between the cake layers and apply a thin crumb coat on the outside. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set the crumb coat.
  5. Decorate: Apply the final layer of frosting smoothly around the cake. Use piping bags and edible markers to create fun, creative designs and personalize the cake with colors, names, or themes. Enhance your decoration with sprinkles, berries, or other edible embellishments for a charming finish.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free version, use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour.
  • To make the cake vegan, substitute the egg with 1/4 cup applesauce and use plant-based butter and milk alternatives.
  • Ensure not to overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the cake tender.
  • Use a serrated knife or cake leveler to slice layers evenly.
  • Chilling the cake after the crumb coat helps achieve a smooth final frosting layer.
  • Food coloring should be gel-based to prevent frosting consistency from thinning.
  • Store leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Keywords: bento cake, small cake, personalized cake, gluten-free cake, vegan cake option, easy cake recipe, buttercream frosting, simple cake decoration

Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/7-creative-bento-cake-ideas-recipe/