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Harry Potter Birthday Cake Recipe

July 31st marks a most auspicious occasion for Harry Potter fans—the birthday of none other than "the boy who lived." If you are planning a Harry Potter-themed party or just want a special cake to celebrate our favorite lightning-scarred wizard, this Harry Potter birthday cake is a fun one to make and a delicious one to eat!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Amy Nash

Ingredients

Sticky Chocolate Cake

  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 4 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate finely chopped
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup salted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 1/4 cups cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt

Buttercream Frosting

  • 1 1/2 cups salted butter softened
  • 6 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 4-5 Tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream
  • Pink food coloring
  • Green food coloring

Instructions

Chocolate Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by cutting circles of parchment paper to line the bottoms, then lightly spray the insides of the pans with cooking spray.
  • Combine the cocoa powder and finely chopped chocolate in a large bowl. Pour the boiling water over the chocolate and stir until the chocolate is completely melted, then add in the vanilla. Let this cool for a few minutes before stirring in the buttermilk.
    1/3 cup cocoa powder, 4 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, 1 cup boiling water, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1 cup buttermilk
  • In the large bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and oil together for 1 minute. Add the dark brown and granulated sugars and beat for another 2-3 minutes, until light and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl.
    1/2 cup salted butter, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar, 1 cup granulated sugar, 3 large eggs
  • In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Add half of this to the batter and mix on low speed just until combined. Pour in half of the chocolate-buttermilk mixture and mix again, just until combined, then repeat with the flour and the remaining chocolate-buttermilk mixture, scraping down the sides of the bowl between additions, until everything is incorporated.
    2 1/4 cups cake flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • Divide the batter between the two prepared cake pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean. Be sure not to overbake.
  • Transfer the cakes to wire racks and allow them to cool completely before assembling the cake with frosting.

Buttercream Frosting

  • In a large bowl, cream the butter for 2 minutes using an electric mixer. Add the powdered sugar and mix again at the lowest speed until combined.
    1 1/2 cups salted butter, 6 cups powdered sugar
  • Add the salt, vanilla and milk or cream and increase the speed to medium, mixing until the buttercream is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. For a softer frosting, increase the milk or cream by small increments, half a tablespoon at a time. Makes enough to very generously frost a two-layer cake.
    1/4 teaspoon table salt, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 4-5 Tablespoons whole milk, Pink food coloring, Green food coloring

Assembly

  • Place one of the cake layers on a serving plate or cake stand. Frost with about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of frosting between the layers. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides with the remaining pink frosting.
  • Trace the words "happee birthdae Harry" with a toothpick, then pipe them on with the green frosting. Use the toothpick to draw a couple of squiggly lines across the cake through the words to give it a squashed appearance. Enjoy!

Notes

If you don't have cake flour on hand, just replace 1/4 cup of the flour with 1/4 cup of cornstarch instead.
If using two 8-inch pans, bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The layers will be thicker.

Nutrition

Calories: 742kcal | Carbohydrates: 96g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 538mg | Potassium: 247mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 73g | Vitamin A: 820IU | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 2mg

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