Delicious and Fun Treasure Chest Cake

Unleash your inner pirate with this delicious and eye-catching Treasure Chest Cake. With a soft chocolate cake base, creamy chocolate frosting, and a hidden surprise inside, this cake is sure to impress your guests. The treasure chest design is made using fondant and edible decorations, giving it a realistic and whimsical touch. Perfect for birthday parties, themed events, or just to indulge in your love for pirates and cake, this Treasure Chest Cake brings a touch of adventure to your dessert table.

Ingredients

• For the cake:
• 2 and ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 and ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 and ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 and ½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup hot water
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• For the frosting:
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons milk
• For the decorations:
• 16 oz (450g) fondant
• Food coloring (brown, gold, silver)
• Edible decorations (gold coins, pearls, gemstones, etc.)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and salt. Mix well.
3. Add in the vanilla extract, whole milk, hot water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix on medium speed until all ingredients are well combined.
4. Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
6. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer the cakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. While the cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and milk. Beat until light and fluffy.
8. Once the cakes have cooled, level the tops if necessary. Then, spread a layer of frosting on top of one cake layer. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting, creating a smooth and even surface.
9. To create the treasure chest design, roll out the fondant to a large rectangle. Cut out a lid and two long strips for the chest. Attach the lid to one end of the chest using a small amount of water. Attach the strips to the sides of the chest, overlapping them slightly in the front.
10. Using food coloring, dye small portions of fondant brown, gold, and silver. Shape them into various treasure chest decorations like locks, handles, and embellishments. Attach these decorations to the chest using a small amount of water.
11. Finish decorating the cake by placing edible decorations like gold coins, pearls, and gemstones around the treasure chest.
12. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the frosting to set and the decorations to firm up.
13. Slice and serve your wonderful Treasure Chest Cake, discovering the delicious surprise inside.

Interesting Facts