Description
Celebrate a basketball fan’s special day with this visually striking and delicious Basketball Birthday Cake. Featuring a moist, flavorful base and vibrant decorations, this cake is a slam dunk centerpiece for any party. Choose between a simple flat design or a realistic 3D basketball cake for added wow factor.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups (sifted)
- Granulated sugar: 1 ¾ cups
- Butter: 1 cup (unsalted, softened)
- Eggs: 4 large (room temperature)
- Milk: 1 cup (whole milk preferred)
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- Baking powder: 1 tsp
- Orange food coloring: 2-3 drops
- Black fondant: As needed (for lines and decorations)
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (softened)
- Powdered sugar: 4 cups
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- Heavy cream: 2-3 tbsp (to adjust consistency)
- Orange food coloring: 2-3 drops
Optional Decorations:
- Edible team logos, sprinkles, or basketball-themed toppers.
Tools Needed:
- 9-inch round cake pans or hemisphere molds for a 3D design.
- Offset spatula for smooth frosting application.
- Fondant roller and precision cutters for decoration.
- Cooling rack to avoid sogginess.
- Piping bags for intricate details.
Instructions
Instructions:
1. Preparing the Batter:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, sift together flour and baking powder. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, until smooth.
- Add orange food coloring to achieve the basketball’s signature hue. Stir until evenly incorporated.
2. Baking the Cake:
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
3. Shaping and Layering:
- Level the tops of the cakes with a serrated knife for even stacking.
- Spread a layer of buttercream frosting between the cakes to sandwich them together.
- Apply a crumb coat to seal in loose crumbs. Chill for 20 minutes.
4. Decorating the Cake:
- Add a smooth, final layer of orange buttercream frosting using an offset spatula.
- Roll out black fondant to about ⅛ inch thickness and cut into strips for the basketball lines.
- Place the strips onto the cake, starting with the two intersecting lines and adding the curved ones for a realistic basketball pattern.
5. Adding Final Touches:
- Use piping gel or additional fondant to add personalized details like a name, age, or team logo.
- Optional: Add edible glitter or sprinkles for extra flair.
Notes
Creative Variations:
- 3D Basketball Cake: Use hemisphere molds to create a spherical cake and assemble the halves with buttercream. Cover with orange fondant for a professional finish.
- Basketball Cupcakes: Frost cupcakes with orange buttercream and decorate with black piping gel or fondant lines.
Storage Tips:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- For long-term storage, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.