Moana Cake

There is something truly magical about a child’s birthday, especially when you can bring their favorite world to life right on the dessert table. I remember baking for my niece’s fifth birthday—she was obsessed with the ocean, and seeing her eyes light up at the sight of crashing blue waves and sandy shores made every minute of effort worth it. That is the power of a great celebration cake; it is not just about the sugar, but the memories baked into every slice.

this Recipe

This Moana cake combines the sturdy, tender crumb of a classic buttermilk birthday cake with the sweetness of strawberry jam and vanilla buttercream. It is designed to be as delicious as it is beautiful, with crushed biscuit ‘sand’ and swirling blue frosting that mimics the sea. Whether you are planning a summer luau or a movie-themed party, this cake delivers professional-looking results with comforting, homemade flavor.

Peak Flavor

This recipe balances the structural integrity needed for a decorated sheet cake with the moist, tender texture you expect from a Southern kitchen. While many themed cakes rely heavily on fondant, this one uses delicious buttercream and crushed biscuits, ensuring that every bite tastes as good as it looks. The buttermilk base offers a subtle tang that cuts through the sweetness of the frosting, creating a harmonious flavor profile that appeals to both kids and adults.

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The Foundation

Buttermilk Cake Layers

We use a robust buttermilk batter—tripled to ensure we have enough height and structure. The buttermilk is the secret weapon here, breaking down the gluten for a tender crumb while providing that distinct, slight tang that pairs perfectly with sweet fillings.

Strawberry Jam

A high-quality strawberry jam acts as the filling between layers. It adds a fruity brightness and helps keep the cake moist. You want a jam with good spreadability but enough body so it doesn’t soak completely into the sponge.

Buttercream Icing

You will need a generous amount of vanilla buttercream for filling, crumb coating, and decorating. I always recommend using room-temperature butter for the smoothest, fluffiest consistency. We will tint a portion of this with blue gel food coloring to create the ocean waves.

Decoration Essentials

To bring the beach to life, we use crushed Granita biscuits (or Digestives) for the sand and chocolate fingers for structural accents or borders. The finishing touch comes from your Moana toppers and perhaps a few candy sea shells.

The Process

Step 1: Secure the Base

Before you start stacking, you need a solid foundation. Place five blobs of buttercream on your large cake board or tray—one in each corner and one in the center. This acts as the “glue” to keep your heavy cake from sliding around while you decorate. Place your first rectangular cake layer firmly onto these buttercream spots.

Step 2: Layer the Filling

Spread a generous layer of strawberry jam over the first cake layer, leaving a border of about 1cm (half an inch) around the edge. This border is crucial to prevent the jam from leaking out. Next, pipe or carefully spread a layer of buttercream over the jam, maintaining that same border. Top with the second cake layer and repeat the process.

Step 3: The Crumb Coat

Place the third and final cake layer on top. Now, apply a “crumb coat” or what I like to call “dirty icing.” Using a palette knife, spread a thin, even layer of buttercream over the top and sides of the cake. This seals in any loose crumbs so they don’t mar your final decoration. Pop the cake in the fridge for 30 minutes to let this layer set.

Step 4: Create the Ocean and Beach

Divide your remaining buttercream. Keep about one-third white for the “sand” base and tint the rest with blue food coloring for the ocean. Apply the blue icing to the top and sides of the cake, using your palette knife to create swirls and peaks that resemble waves. Leave a section clear for the beach.

Step 5: Final Touches

Press the crushed Granita biscuits into the white buttercream section to create a realistic sandy beach. Arrange your Moana toppers, toy sea animals, and optional chocolate fingers to complete the scene. A piping bag can help build up mounds of icing behind figures to keep them secure.

Secrets to Success

Chill for Stability

When working with a large layered cake, temperature is your friend. Chilling the cake after the crumb coat is non-negotiable. It creates a firm shell that makes applying the final decorative waves much easier. If you feel the cake getting too soft at any point, put it back in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Gel Over Liquid

For that vibrant ocean blue, use gel food coloring rather than liquid drops. Gel provides intense color without altering the consistency of your buttercream, ensuring your waves hold their shape. If you are looking for more structural inspiration for shaped cakes, our car cake guide offers some excellent stacking techniques.

The Biscuit Sand Texture

Don’t pulverize your biscuits into a fine dust; keep some larger crumbs in the mix. This gives the “sand” a more realistic texture and adds a lovely crunch that contrasts with the soft sponge.

Make It Your Own

Flavor Swap

While strawberry jam is classic, you can easily switch it up. Lemon curd makes for a zesty, tropical twist that fits the island theme perfectly. If you love experimenting with colorful fruit flavors, check out our lemon rainbow cake for more ideas.

Chocolate Beach

If you are a chocolate lover, swap the vanilla buttermilk base for a chocolate sponge. You can use crushed chocolate cookies for “volcanic sand” instead of the golden biscuit sand for a dramatic look.

Topper Creativity

If you can’t find specific Moana figures, you can create palm trees using pretzel rods and fondant leaves, or use clean toy figures you already have on hand. For additional layout ideas for this theme, I found this perfect Moana birthday cake guide to be quite inspiring for topper placement.

Celebration Time

This cake is a showstopper, so give it center stage at your party table. I love serving it with a side of fresh tropical fruit—sliced mango, pineapple, and kiwi—to echo the island theme. A scoop of coconut ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream also pairs beautifully with the vanilla and jam flavors.

To get clean slices, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts. This helps glide through the buttercream and biscuit layers without dragging the crumbs. If you are planning a larger party menu, our celebration design studio has great tips on portioning and pairing desserts for a crowd.

The Final Slice

Baking this Moana cake is about more than just following a recipe; it is about crafting a moment of joy. The combination of moist buttermilk cake, sweet jam, and creamy frosting is a timeless crowd-pleaser, while the decoration invites everyone to dive into a little island magic. Whether for a birthday or a summer gathering, this cake brings people together.

For another vibrant dessert that lights up the room, try our purple cake next. Happy baking, and may your kitchen always be warm and welcoming!

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