Brain Cake

why make this recipe

Brain Cake is a fun and creative treat perfect for Halloween or any spooky-themed celebration. Its eye-catching appearance and delicious flavors make it a standout dessert that is sure to impress your guests. Whether you want to entertain kids with a fun Halloween party or surprise your friends at a gathering, this cake brings joy and excitement to the table.

how to make Brain Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups cake flour (300g)
• 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (10g)
• 1 tsp baking soda (6g)
• 1/2 tsp fine salt (3g)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar (350g)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature (112g)
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, room temperature (300g)
• 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil (120g)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (8g)
• 1 tsp white vinegar (4g)
• 1 tsp red gel food coloring (or 1 Tbsp liquid food coloring)
• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature (339g)
• 1 cup (8 oz) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature (226g)
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (12g)
• 1 tsp fine salt (6g)
• 7 cups powdered sugar (904g or a 2 lb. bag)
• 3 Tbsp heavy whipping cream, room temperature (45g)
• small squirt of red gel food coloring (or 1 tsp liquid food coloring)
• 1/2 cup seedless raspberry or strawberry jam
• 3 Tbsp water (45g)
• [1/4 tsp red gel food coloring or 1 tsp liquid food coloring – optional]

Directions:

Red Velvet Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two round cake pans.
2. In a bowl, mix the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Mix in the buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and red food coloring.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
7. Pour the batter into prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting:

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add vanilla extract and salt, mixing well.
3. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until creamy.
4. If too thick, add heavy whipping cream to reach desired consistency.
5. Add a small squirt of red food coloring for the desired shade.

Edible Blood Recipe:

1. In a small saucepan, combine raspberry or strawberry jam and water.
2. Heat over low until the jam melts and becomes thinner.
3. If desired, add red food coloring to intensify the color.

Decorating this Brain Cake:

1. Once the cakes are completely cool, layer them with cream cheese frosting in between.
2. Use the remaining frosting to cover the tops and sides of the cake.
3. To create the brain effect, use a piping bag fitted with a round tip to pipe frosting in a wave pattern.
4. Drizzle the edible blood on top of the cake to complete the look.

how to serve Brain Cake

Slice the cake into generous portions and serve on a decorative plate. For a spooky touch, you can add some gummy worms or Halloween-themed decorations around the cake.

how to store Brain Cake

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to five days. You can also freeze slices for up to three months. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag.

tips to make Brain Cake

• Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
• Don’t overmix the batter; mix until just combined for a soft cake.
• If you want a stronger red color, feel free to add more gel food coloring.
• You can use a toothpick to help create the brain shape when decorating if you’re unsure how to pipe.

variation

You can switch up the flavors by using chocolate cake instead of red velvet. Additionally, you can use different jams for the edible blood effect, such as cherry or blueberry for a unique twist.

FAQs

1. Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cakes a day in advance. Just wrap them well and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to frost and decorate.

2. Can I use a different frosting?
Absolutely! If you prefer, you can use any frosting of your choice, such as chocolate or vanilla buttercream.

3. What if I don’t have buttermilk?
You can substitute buttermilk by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before using it in the recipe.

Brain Cake

• Author: admin
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

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Description

A fun and creative red velvet cake decorated to look like a brain, perfect for Halloween or any spooky-themed celebration.

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Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups cake flour (300g)
• 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (10g)
• 1 tsp baking soda (6g)
• 1/2 tsp fine salt (3g)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar (350g)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature (112g)
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, room temperature (300g)
• 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil (120g)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (8g)
• 1 tsp white vinegar (4g)
• 1 tsp red gel food coloring (or 1 Tbsp liquid food coloring)
• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature (339g)
• 1 cup (8 oz) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature (226g)
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (12g)
• 1 tsp fine salt (6g)
• 7 cups powdered sugar (904g or a 2 lb. bag)
• 3 Tbsp heavy whipping cream, room temperature (45g)
• small squirt of red gel food coloring (or 1 tsp liquid food coloring)
• 1/2 cup seedless raspberry or strawberry jam
• 3 Tbsp water (45g)
• [1/4 tsp red gel food coloring or 1 tsp liquid food coloring – optional]

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two round cake pans.
2. In a bowl, mix the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Mix in the buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and red food coloring.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
7. Pour the batter into prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth for the frosting.
10. Add vanilla extract and salt, mixing well.
11. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until creamy.
12. If too thick, add heavy whipping cream to reach desired consistency.
13. Add a small squirt of red food coloring for the desired shade.
14. In a small saucepan, combine raspberry or strawberry jam and water. Heat over low until the jam melts and becomes thinner.
15. If desired, add red food coloring to intensify the color.
16. Once the cakes are completely cool, layer them with cream cheese frosting in between.
17. Use the remaining frosting to cover the tops and sides of the cake.
18. To create the brain effect, use a piping bag fitted with a round tip to pipe frosting in a wave pattern.
19. Drizzle the edible blood on top of the cake to complete the look.

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Notes

Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature and don’t overmix the batter for better texture. Add more gel coloring for a stronger red shade.