Triple Layered Confetti Cake Food

CONFETTI GRAVITY CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Coat with more cooking spray and dust with flour, shaking out the excess.
• Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine the milk and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk mixture in two batches. Beat until just combined, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Fold in the sprinkles.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans; smooth the tops. Bake until the cakes are light golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes in the pans, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting: Combine the egg whites, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, the cream of tartar and salt in a large bowl and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 4 minutes. In a medium pot fitted with a candy thermometer, heat the remaining 1 cup granulated sugar and the water over medium-high heat, undisturbed, until the thermometer registers 235 degrees F. With the mixer on medium speed, slowly drizzle the hot syrup into the egg white mixture. Increase the mixer speed to high and continue to beat until the frosting is no longer steaming, about 3 minutes. Add the butter, one piece at a time, and continue to beat until thick and smooth, about 2 more minutes. (It's OK if the frosting looks curdled -- keep beating and it will eventually smooth out.) Add the vanilla and beat until incorporated.
• Assemble the cake: Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand and spread with 1 cup of the frosting. Place the remaining cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the cake with a thin layer of frosting (this is the crumb coat). Refrigerate until the frosting is set, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, roll out the fondant on a confectioners' sugar-dusted surface into a long rectangle, about 2 by 7 3/4 inches. Wrap the fondant around the bent metal straw, leaving about 2 inches bare at the bottom. Pinch the seam to close, then roll the straw and fondant between your hands to smooth it out. (If using a plastic straw, insert a wooden skewer through it for stability.)
• Cover the cake with the remaining frosting in a smooth, even layer. Mark a spot on the top of the cake that's slightly off center (this is where the straw will go). Sprinkle confetti sprinkles on the cake so they radiate out from the marked spot and go down the side of the cake.
• Rub or brush a thin layer of corn syrup all over the fondant-covered straw, then roll in confetti sprinkles, pressing to adhere. Insert the straw into the cake at the marked spot, then place a small treat bag on the bent end, using a little corn syrup to stick it on, if necessary. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

TRIPLE LAYERED CONFETTI CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter three 8-inch round cake pans. Line the pans with parchment paper, then butter the parchment. Dust with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Whisk together the all-purpose and cake flours, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the egg whites 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour. Beat until just incorporated. Fold in the sprinkles.
• Divide the batter evenly among the pans and bake the cakes until golden at the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the pans to wire racks and cool 15 minutes. Turn the cakes out of the pans and return to the racks to cool completely.
• For the frosting: While the cake layers are cooling, whisk together the sugar and egg whites in a heatproof mixing bowl set over (not inside) a pan of simmering water. Whisk until the mixture is warm and the sugar is dissolved (it should feel completely smooth when rubbed between your fingers), 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
• Whisk the egg white mixture on medium speed for 5 minutes. Increase the speed to medium high and whisk the meringue until stiff, glossy peaks form and the bottom of the mixing bowl is cool to the touch, about 7 minutes.
• Reduce the speed to medium low. Add the butter a few tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition. (If the frosting appears to separate after all of the butter has been added, simply increase the speed to medium high and beat until smooth again.) Add the vanilla and salt and continue beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Trim the tops of the cooled cake layers with a knife so they are flat. Place the bottom layer on a cake stand or platter and spread evenly with about 1 cup of the frosting. Place the second layer on top of the first. Spread evenly with about 1 cup frosting. Place the remaining layer on top of the second layer. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, using an offset spatula to create large swirls. Decorate with sprinkles as desired.

CLEMENTINE SPRINKLE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Oil the bottom and sides of two 8-inch cake pans.
• Combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil and 1 cup of water in a large bowl. Stir in half of the clementine zest and juice. Pour into the prepared pans. Bake until a cake tester comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then invert onto a rack and cool completely. While the cakes cool, make the frosting.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add half of the powdered sugar and carefully mix until thoroughly incorporated. Add the remaining powdered sugar and mix again until fully combined. Add the remaining clementine juice and zest, then beat until light and fluffy, about 2 more minutes. Add the food coloring to achieve your desired color, starting with a few drops and adding until you get the color you like.
• Place 1 cooled cake layer on a cake stand or plate. Top with about 1/2 cup frosting and spread evenly. Top with the remaining cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting all over the top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle the top and sides of the cake with sprinkles.
• Take the thin slices of clementine and make a slit halfway through. Twist the slices and place on the top of the cake.

CONFETTI BIRTHDAY DRIP CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 4 greased 6-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper. In a large bowl, cream butter, oil and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, then egg whites, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fold in sprinkles., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely., For buttercream, in a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add cream and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes., For drip, in a microwave, heat cream just to a boil. Pour over baking chips; stir with a whisk until smooth. Tint as desired with food coloring. Cool slightly, stirring occasionally., To assemble cake, place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with ½ cup frosting. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with ½ cup frosting. Freeze until set, about 10 minutes. Frost top and sides with 1 cup frosting. Pour drip over top of cake, allowing some to flow over sides. Pipe remaining frosting around top edges; top with additional sprinkles. Gently press additional sprinkles into frosting on sides of cake.

TRIPLE-LAYER CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and baking soda; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fold in coconut and pecans., Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add the confectioners' sugar, cocoa, vanilla and salt; beat until smooth. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator.