DAD U ROCK Cake

My husband has been a Coach of Everything for the kids this year. Hockey, baseball, soccer…Their teams call out for coach volunteers, he signs up for it. He enjoys being there for the kids. The kids seem motivated and proud to have his father on the ice/field. They are the better team with his father around.

I asked my son what’s the best part about daddy being his coach, he said, “He rocks!”

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And here comes this cake topper.

Last year I came up with this DIY cake topper idea for a Mother’s Day Cake. Since then I’ve been really addictive with this cake decoration method. Again, it’s very easy to make. And it’s way more heart-warming than piping messages on cake. You can simply write anything you want and present it in a more dramatic and passionate way.

Here is the key: outline words in a thick font, so it won’t break as easily. However, if it does break, it’s not the end of the world. Simply glue it back with the candy melts. Afterall it doesn’t have to be perfect. I just love it rustic yet full of heart!

Ingredients (one 5-inch layered cake):
Cake Topper
1 cup candy melts, colour of your choice
1 tablespoon canola oil (if melted candy is too thick to pipe)
Cake
3 large eggs, room temperature, separated
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
1/2 cup cake flour, sifted
Coconut Buttercream
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons coconut milk

Directions:
To make cake topper, outline a template of DAD U ROCK in a relatively thick font on a paper. Place a parchment paper over it.
Place candy melts in a microwaveable Ziploc bag. Microwave on high for 20 to 30 seconds to completely melt the candy melts. Add oil if it’s too thick to pipe. Push the melted candy toward one corner of the bag. With a pair of scissors, snip off a very small opening.
Start piping the candy over the template, starting with the outline. Then fill the inside.
Let it dry completely before peeling the cake topper off the parchment paper.
Flip the cake topper over, place a toothpick on the back of the cake topper, leaving half out to insert in the cake. Glue the toothpick with candy melts. Let it dry completely.
To prepare cake layers, preheat oven to 350F. Grease and line the bottom of two 5-inch cake pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a bowl of a standing mixer with a whisk attachment, beat egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Add 1/4 cup sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Scrape the meringue in another bowl. Set aside.
In the same mixing bowl, beat egg yolks and remaining sugar on high speed until thick and light in color, about 5 minutes. Add vanilla, lemon juice and zest. Mix for another minute.
Sift flour over the top of egg yolk mixture, followed by folding in half of the meringue.
Fold the rest of the meringue into the batter until just incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pans evenly and smooth the top.
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the cakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove the cakes from the oven and let cool in pan for 5 minutes. Run a thin knife around the cake edge and place the cake on a wire rack to cool completely. Cut cakes horizontally to make four cake layers.
To prepare buttercream, beat butter for a few minutes in a standing mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. Add powdered sugar and turn your mixer on low, beat until the sugar incorporates with the butter. Add vanilla and coconut milk, beat on medium speed for another 3 minutes, or until buttercream becomes light and fluffy.
To assemble the cake, sandwich each cake layer with a thick layer of buttercream. Smear a thin layer of frosting on the top and sides of the cake to create the “naked”effect.
Carefully place the cake topper on the cake.
Cover and refrigerate the cake. Leave out in room temperature for at least an hour prior to serving.

4 comments

    1. Hi Peggy, you can use regular chocolate. The reason why I use candy melts is because I can go with different colors. :)

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