This post is sponsored by Mars. All opinions are mine alone.
Festive Funfetti Mini Layer Cakes: Your Ultimate Summer Party Dessert
Summer is undeniably just around the corner, bringing with it the promise of warm days, outdoor gatherings, and cherished moments with family and friends. The air practically hums with anticipation for those long, sun-drenched evenings and the joyous spirit of celebration. It’s a season marked by special holidays like Memorial Day and the 4th of July, perfect for uniting loved ones for unforgettable get-togethers. And what’s a celebration without a show-stopping dessert?
This summer holds extra special meaning for me. It’s my first time experiencing the warmth of the season as a mom, watching my little one discover the world, learning to crawl and explore. Furthermore, after spending the last couple of years abroad and missing out on some of these cherished American traditions, I am thrilled to be celebrating both Memorial Day and the 4th of July right here in the states with my entire family. Get ready for all the fireworks, laughter, and of course, plenty of delicious food!
All this excitement means one thing: it’s time to plan some fantastic summer parties and whip up some truly memorable treats. When it comes to desserts, I have a particular soft spot for mini delights. There’s just something inherently charming and utterly delectable about them – I truly believe they taste even better in miniature form! So, for our upcoming festivities, I’ve perfected another batch of my beloved mini layer cakes, this time in a vibrant funfetti style that screams “party!”
Elevating Your Cake Game with a Simple Box Mix Hack
For a while, I confess, I veered away from using cake mixes. Yet, they hold a special place in my baking history. My 21st birthday cake, baked shortly after I moved to the states, was crafted from a simple cake box. As a college student unfamiliar with many baking ingredients, I needed something reliable, straightforward, and guaranteed to turn out well. That experience cemented my appreciation for their convenience and consistent results.
Now, as a busy mom, my admiration for cake mixes has been rekindled. They offer unparalleled convenience without compromising on flavor or texture, making them a fantastic secret weapon for any baker, especially when time is of the essence. Many people wonder why cakes from a box often turn out so perfectly. There are a couple of key reasons that contribute to their foolproof nature:
- Precision in Ingredients: With a box mix, you don’t have to worry about meticulously measuring out flour. Incorrect flour measurements are a common culprit for baking mishaps, directly impacting the final texture of your cake. Too much flour can lead to a dense, dry cake, while too little can result in a crumbly mess. Box mixes eliminate this guesswork, providing a perfectly balanced dry ingredient blend every time. You simply add the wet ingredients, and you’re set!
- The Pudding Mix Secret: Many high-quality cake mixes, especially funfetti varieties, often contain a touch of pudding mix. This brilliant addition is a game-changer! Pudding mix adds incredible moisture, richness, and a wonderfully tender crumb to the cake, taking it from good to truly exceptional. It’s this hidden ingredient that often gives box mix cakes their signature fluffy and moist texture.
But here’s a pro tip to elevate your box mix cake even further: ditch the water and vegetable oil the box calls for! For an extra rich, incredibly flavorful, and supremely moist cake, substitute milk for water and melted butter for vegetable oil. The added fat from the milk and butter significantly boosts the richness and moisture content, resulting in a cake that tastes delightfully homemade – nobody will guess it started with a box!
For these mini layer cakes, I highly recommend the Pillsbury Funfetti Cake Mix, especially the Stars & Stripes variant for patriotic holidays. What I particularly love about this mix is that its festive candy bits maintain their vibrant color beautifully, without bleeding into the batter. Beyond its pretty appearance, this mix consistently bakes up into a perfectly fluffy and moist cake. Next time you’re at Target, be sure to grab a box (or two, or three!) to keep on hand for impromptu celebrations.
The Art of Presentation: Why Mini Layer Cakes Steal the Show
While whipping up a regular sheet cake is always an option, why not take an extra step to create something truly adorable and memorable? As you might know, I’m absolutely obsessed with mini layer cakes. And really, who could resist their charm?
Mini layer cakes offer several advantages:
- Perfect Portions: Each guest gets their own perfectly portioned dessert, eliminating the need for slicing and serving.
- Elegant Presentation: They look incredibly sophisticated and festive, adding a touch of gourmet flair to any dessert table.
- Easy to Serve: Guests can simply grab a cake, making self-service effortless and mess-free.
- Visually Stunning: The individual layers, vibrant sprinkles, and beautiful frosting create an eye-catching display that guests will adore.
To truly enhance the festive spirit, let’s add a patriotic touch! Simply crush some red, white, and blue M&M’s and sprinkle them generously over the frosted mini cakes. Not only does this add a delightful crunch and chocolatey flavor, but it also creates a visually stunning tribute to holidays like Memorial Day and the 4th of July. It’s an easy yet impactful decoration that elevates these funfetti cakes to a new level of festive fun!
Here’s to all the wonderful summer celebrations ahead! I hope this post has inspired you to try your hand at these charming funfetti mini layer cakes. They are surprisingly easy to make, incredibly delicious, and guaranteed to bring smiles and festive cheer to any gathering. Happy baking and happy summer!
Funfetti Mini Layer Cakes
Shinee Davaakhuu
45 mins
15 mins
1 hr
20 mini cakes
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Ingredients
For cake:
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup (240ml) milk (whole milk recommended for richness, but any will work), at room temperature
- 1/2 cup (115gr) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 box Pillsbury Stars & Stripes Funfetti Cake Mix
For frosting:
- 8 oz (225gr) cream cheese*, softened
- 1/4 cup (55gr) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240gr) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream, or milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For decoration:
- M&M’s Milk Chocolate Red, White, & Blue
Instructions
- To make the cake, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 17x11in (43x28cm) deep baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray all over the parchment paper and on the sides. A silicone mat can also be used as an alternative to parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, using a paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), combine the eggs, milk, and melted butter until thoroughly mixed. Gradually add the funfetti cake mix and mix on low speed just until no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
- Pour the prepared batter evenly into the lined baking sheet. Gently tap the baking sheet a few times on the counter to release any air bubbles. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before proceeding.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter on medium-high speed for about 1 minute until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, heavy cream (or milk), and pure vanilla extract. Beat on low speed until combined, then increase the speed to medium-high and continue beating for approximately 3 minutes, until the frosting is smooth, light, and wonderfully fluffy. Transfer the finished frosting into a piping bag fitted with your desired tip.
- For decoration, sort the M&M’s by color, focusing on the red, white, and blue (you’ll need about 2 tablespoons of each color for garnish). Place the sorted M&M’s in a resealable bag and crush them using a rolling pin until you achieve your desired fineness. Set aside for later use.
- To assemble the mini cakes, once the cake is completely cooled, use a 2-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter to cut out circles from the baked cake. You should yield approximately 40 circles. Place half of the cake circles on a wire rack. Pipe a generous tablespoon of frosting onto each of these cake circles. Using an offset spatula, gently spread the frosting to the edges. Top with the remaining plain cake circles to create a second layer. Frost the top of these second layers in the same manner. Finish by sprinkling the crushed M&M’s over the frosted cakes. For a flag pattern arrangement, you will need 4 cakes topped with blue M&M’s, 8 with red, and 8 with white.
- Don’t let any cake go to waste! Mix the leftover cake scraps and any remaining buttercream frosting in a mixing bowl using a paddle attachment or a handheld electric mixer. Form this mixture into delicious cake pops for an extra treat.
- Store the finished mini layer cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
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Tips & Notes
Cream Cheese Tip: Always use brick cream cheese for your frosting, not the spreadable variety found in tubs. Brick cream cheese has a firmer consistency crucial for stable and fluffy frosting.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs, milk, and cream cheese (for frosting) are at room temperature. This helps them incorporate smoothly, creating a more uniform batter and frosting.
Avoid Overmixing: When mixing the cake batter, stop as soon as the dry ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough cake.
Nutrition
263kcal
34g
3g
13g
24g
232mg
Dessert
American
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