Every gamer knows that distinctive square cake with the red speckles, but often novelty bakes taste like cardboard covered in fondant. This Minecraft Cake recipe breaks that curse by focusing on a tender, moist crumb that actually melts in your mouth. We use rich marzipan instead of chewy fondant to ensure the texture is just as satisfying as the pixelated aesthetic.
Faithful to the game’s crafting recipe, this version layers soft chocolate squares with sweet cherry jam and chocolate buttercream. It is a quick-assembly project that delivers bakery-quality results without requiring you to be a professional decorator. You get the iconic look and a lush, gooey bite in every square.
Why This Minecraft Cake Wins
- Texture Over Looks: While many themed cakes are dry, this one prioritizes a moist, tender crumb using the creaming method.
- Marzipan Magic: We skip the rubbery fondant for almond-infused marzipan, which pairs perfectly with the chocolate and cherry flavors.
- Express Assembly: Using square pans means no carving required. You get that perfect block shape straight out of the oven.
- The Real Crafting Recipe: Just like in the game, we use milk, sugar, eggs, and wheat (flour) to create something delicious.
Minecraft Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Bring the digital world to life with this moist chocolate and cherry layer cake. Unlike standard novelty bakes, this version uses flavorful marzipan and a tender crumb to ensure it tastes as good as it looks.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Softened butter
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Cherry jam
- Chocolate buttercream
- White marzipan
- Red food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch square cake pans thoroughly.
- Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar for 4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Add the dry flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing gently after each addition until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Trim the cake tops to be flat, stack with a layer of cherry jam in between, and coat the exterior with chocolate buttercream.
- Roll the white marzipan into a 9-inch square for the top and create notched strips for the pixelated side effect.
- Dye a small piece of marzipan red, cut into small squares, and apply to the top of the cake.
Notes
For the cleanest look, use a ruler when cutting your marzipan strips and red squares to maintain sharp, pixelated edges. If the cake layers feel too soft during assembly, a quick 15-minute chill in the freezer will make them sturdier and much easier to frost.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
The Crafting Inventory
- All-Purpose Flour & Cocoa Powder: The building blocks for a sturdy yet soft crumb. Sifting them removes lumps for a smoother texture.
- Butter & Sugar: Creamed together for 4 minutes to incorporate air, guaranteeing a fluffy lift.
- Milk & Eggs: Provide moisture and structure. Room temperature ingredients mix faster and more evenly.
- Cherry Jam: The secret filling that mimics the in-game item and adds a tart contrast to the sweet chocolate.
- Marzipan: Used for the white icing top and red sprinkles. It is softer and tastier than sugar paste.
- Chocolate Buttercream: Acts as the “dirt” texture on the sides and the glue for the layers.
How to Craft It Fast
Step 1: Prep the World
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch square cake pans thoroughly to ensure the blocks release perfectly intact.
Step 2: Mix the Resources
Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. In a separate container, combine the milk. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar for about 4 minutes until light and fluffy—this step is crucial for texture. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla.
Step 3: Combine and Bake
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with the milk, mixing gently after each addition. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack.
Step 4: Assemble the Block
Once completely cool, trim the tops of the cakes to make them perfectly flat. Place one layer on a platter, spread with cherry jam, and top with the second layer. Coat the top and sides with chocolate buttercream, reserving a small amount for decoration.
Step 5: The Pixel Finish
Dye a golf-ball-sized piece of marzipan red. Roll out the remaining white marzipan into a 9-inch square and place it on top of the cake. Cut marzipan strips with notches for the sides to mimic the pixelated drip effect. Finally, cut red marzipan squares and “glue” them on top with reserved frosting to create the iconic red speckles.
Meagan’s Express Texture Secrets
- Don’t Overbake: Check the cake at the 30-minute mark. You want the toothpick to have a few moist crumbs attached, not be bone dry. This guarantees that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Marzipan Handling: If the marzipan gets sticky, dust your hands and surface with confectioners’ sugar. It is much more forgiving than fondant and tastes infinitely better.
- Cocoa Quality: For the deepest flavor, use a high-fat cocoa powder. You can read more about selecting the best cocoa in our cocoa-dream-lab guide.
- Chill to Cut: If you want super sharp, pixel-perfect slices, chill the frosted cake for 20 minutes before cutting.
Quick Swaps & Custom Skins
- Grass Block: If you prefer the grassy look, you can use green buttercream or coconut. Check out this guide for a grass block cake for a different aesthetic.
- Simpler Base: Short on time? You can swap the cake base for our old-fashioned-chocolate-cake recipe, which is even faster to whip up.
- Peanut Butter Mod: Swap the cherry jam for creamy peanut butter for a nutty twist that kids often love.
- Dairy-Free: Use margarine and plant-based milk; the texture holds up surprisingly well with this dense batter.
Spawning the Slices
Serve this cake cut into large square blocks to maintain the theme. It is rich, so serve it with a glass of cold milk or a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream to balance the sugar. If you are hosting a themed party, this pairs hilariously well with a vehicle-themed car-cake for a “survival mode meets racing” mashup.
Game Over (In a Good Way)
This Minecraft Cake proves you don’t have to choose between a fun design and delicious texture. It satisfies the gamer’s eye and the baker’s palate with moist chocolate and sweet almond flavors. For another colorful, kid-friendly bake, try our lemon-rainbow-cake next.
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