Description
This enchanting handmade doll cake features a moist strawberry crumb and a naturally flavored cream cheese frosting. With its elegant ombre rosettes and classic farmhouse charm, it makes for a stunning and delicious centerpiece for any birthday celebration.
Ingredients
- Strawberry cake batter (sufficient for one 9-inch bundt and two 6-inch rounds)
- Melted butter or shortening for greasing
- Softened butter (for frosting)
- Softened cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Dehydrated strawberries, finely ground
- Heavy cream
- Pure vanilla extract
- One small doll (cleaned and legs wrapped in plastic)
- Sugar pearls or decorative stars (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175°C) and thoroughly grease one 9-inch bundt pan and two 6-inch round cake pans with butter or shortening.
- Fill the prepared pans about two-thirds full with strawberry cake batter and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, approximately 25-30 minutes for the rounds and 35-40 minutes for the bundt.
- Allow the cake rounds to rest for 15 minutes and the bundt for exactly 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Whip together softened butter and cream cheese, then gradually add powdered sugar and ground dehydrated strawberries to create the crumb coat frosting.
- Level the bottom of the bundt cake, frost the top surface, and stack the 6-inch rounds (with centers removed) on top, adding frosting between each layer.
- Use a sharp serrated knife to gently shave the sides of the stacked cakes into a smooth, bell-shaped gown silhouette.
- Apply a thin layer of strawberry frosting over the entire cake to trap crumbs, then refrigerate for at least one hour to firm the structure.
- Prepare the final buttercream by whipping butter until light and fluffy, then incorporating sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla.
- Divide the frosting into bowls and tint with varying amounts of strawberry powder to create a gradient of pink shades for the ombre effect.
- Using a piping bag fitted with a 1M tip, pipe rows of rosettes starting with the darkest pink at the base and transitioning to lighter shades as you move up.
- Wrap the doll’s legs in plastic wrap and gently insert her into the center hole, finishing the top row of rosettes to seamlessly meet her waist.
Notes
To achieve the most professional finish, ensure your cakes are completely chilled before carving, as this prevents the crumb from tearing. If your hands warm the piping bag and the frosting loses its shape, simply place the bag in the refrigerator for five minutes to firm up the butter before continuing.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American