Jellycat Birthday Cake – Cuddly-Inspired & Deliciously Festive

🎉 Introduction

Celebrate a special birthday with this whimsical Jellycat Birthday Cake—a delightfully soft, pastel-hued creation inspired by the beloved Jellycat plush toys! With light vanilla layers, creamy buttercream, and charming pastel accents, this cake is both adorably cuddly and incredibly scrumptious. 🎈 Whether for a kids’ party or grown-ups with a love for cute things, this dessert will bring smiles and sweet memories.

🛒 Ingredients

🍰 Cake Layers

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk, room temperature

🍥 Pastel Buttercream Frosting

• 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
• 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
• Pastel gel food coloring (pink, lavender, mint green, light blue)

🎀 Decorations

• Gold or silver sanding sugar shimmer (optional)
• Edible pearls or confetti decorations
• A small Jellycat plush (for cake topper—not edible)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Bake the Layers

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8‑inch round cake pans.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add eggs one by one, then vanilla.
4. Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until smooth.
5. Divide evenly among pans. Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to racks.

Step 2: Prepare the Buttercream

1. Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with cream, until smooth.
2. Add vanilla and continue beating until light and fluffy.
3. Divide frosting into 4 bowls and tint each a pastel color: pink, lavender, mint, and light blue.

Step 3: Assemble & Frost

1. Place first cake layer on a plate. Spread light frosting over the top. Add the second layer and frost evenly. Repeat with the third layer.
2. Frost the sides and top with a smooth, neutral-colored base (e.g., uncolored or white).
3. Use small offset spatula or piping bag to pipe pastel stripes or blobs on top, blending slightly into the base icing for a watercolor effect.
4. Add sanding sugar for shimmer and sprinkle on edible pearls or confetti.

Step 4: Decorate

Place a small Jellycat plush (e.g., bunny or bear) gently on top as a cake topper. Use ribbon/puff to secure if serving to kids.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 12–16 slices
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Bake Time: 25 minutes
• Decoration Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour 25 minutes (plus cooling)

🥄 Variations

• Flavor Swap: Use almond or lemon extract in frosting.
• Color Theme: Match the palette to the plush or party theme.
• Mini Cakes: Make 6‑inch tiered versions for smaller gatherings.
• Printable Scenes: Add fondant clouds or tiny bunting for photo props.
• Chocolate Version: Substitute chocolate milk and cocoa in the batter.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Room Temp: Store covered in a cool spot for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator: Keeps up to 5 days—bring to room temp before serving.
• Freezer: Wrap tightly; freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Transport Tip: Keep plush topper separate during transit to prevent damage.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I bake this gluten-free?
   Yes—use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum.
2. Is heavy cream necessary?
   It helps lighten and stabilize the frosting, but milk works in a pinch.
3. Can I use fresh fruit?
   Bland fruits like strawberry slices can be placed around the base, but avoid them inside—it’ll affect structure.
4. What if I don’t have pastel gel colors?
   Use liquid food dye but apply sparingly—it’s more diluted.
5. Can I freeze the cakes before frosting?
   Sure! Chill layers first to prevent crumbs, then frost.
6. Is it safe to use steps?
   Make sure the frosting is firm set (chilled) before adding plush topper.
7. Can kids help decorate?
   Definitely! Have them pipe blobs or add confetti pearls.
8. Can I use canned frosting?
   It’ll work, though homemade is smoother and more cohesive for colors.
9. How do I prevent frosting domes?
   Use an ‘icing collar’ or round templates to apply even layers.
10. Can I use a Jellycat plush in the party theme later?
    Absolutely! Save it as a keepsake—it keeps the memory alive.

🏁 Conclusion

This Jellycat Birthday Cake blends charm, sweetness, and creative flair into a delightful celebration centerpiece. With soft layers, pastel-style buttercream, and a playful plush topper, it’s the perfect way to bring joy to birthdays—especially for fans of cuddly cuteness!

Adam

Jellycat Birthday Cake – Cuddly-Inspired & Deliciously Festive

Celebrate a special birthday with this whimsical Jellycat Birthday Cake—a delightfully soft, pastel-hued creation inspired by the beloved Jellycat plush toys! With light vanilla layers, creamy buttercream, and charming pastel accents, this cake is both adorably cuddly and incredibly scrumptious. 🎈 Whether for a kids’ party or grown-ups with a love for cute things, this dessert will bring smiles and sweet memories.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

bake & Decoration time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 16 slices

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍰 Cake Layers

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk room temperature

🍥 Pastel Buttercream Frosting

• 1½ cups unsalted butter room temperature
• 6 cups powdered sugar sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 –3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
• Pastel gel food coloring pink, lavender, mint green, light blue

🎀 Decorations

• Gold or silver sanding sugar shimmer optional
• Edible pearls or confetti decorations
• A small Jellycat plush for cake topper—not edible

Method

 

Step 1: Bake the Layers

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8‑inch round cake pans.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add eggs one by one, then vanilla.
4. Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until smooth.
5. Divide evenly among pans. Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to racks.

Step 2: Prepare the Buttercream

1. Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with cream, until smooth.
2. Add vanilla and continue beating until light and fluffy.
3. Divide frosting into 4 bowls and tint each a pastel color: pink, lavender, mint, and light blue.

Step 3: Assemble & Frost

1. Place first cake layer on a plate. Spread light frosting over the top. Add the second layer and frost evenly. Repeat with the third layer.
2. Frost the sides and top with a smooth, neutral-colored base (e.g., uncolored or white).
3. Use small offset spatula or piping bag to pipe pastel stripes or blobs on top, blending slightly into the base icing for a watercolor effect.
4. Add sanding sugar for shimmer and sprinkle on edible pearls or confetti.

Step 4: Decorate

1. Place a small Jellycat plush (e.g., bunny or bear) gently on top as a cake topper. Use ribbon/puff to secure if serving to kids.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Flavor Swap: Use almond or lemon extract in frosting.

Color Theme: Match the palette to the plush or party theme.

Mini Cakes: Make 6‑inch tiered versions for smaller gatherings.

Printable Scenes: Add fondant clouds or tiny bunting for photo props.

Chocolate Version: Substitute chocolate milk and cocoa in the batter.

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temp: Store covered in a cool spot for up to 2 days.

Refrigerator: Keeps up to 5 days—bring to room temp before serving.

Freezer: Wrap tightly; freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Transport Tip: Keep plush topper separate during transit to prevent damage.

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I bake this gluten-free?
Yes—use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum.

Is heavy cream necessary?
It helps lighten and stabilize the frosting, but milk works in a pinch.

Can I use fresh fruit?
Bland fruits like strawberry slices can be placed around the base, but avoid them inside—it’ll affect structure.

What if I don’t have pastel gel colors?
Use liquid food dye but apply sparingly—it’s more diluted.

Can I freeze the cakes before frosting?
Sure! Chill layers first to prevent crumbs, then frost.

Is it safe to use steps?
Make sure the frosting is firm set (chilled) before adding plush topper.

Can kids help decorate?
Definitely! Have them pipe blobs or add confetti pearls.

Can I use canned frosting?
It’ll work, though homemade is smoother and more cohesive for colors.

How do I prevent frosting domes?
Use an ‘icing collar’ or round templates to apply even layers.

Can I use a Jellycat plush in the party theme later?
Absolutely! Save it as a keepsake—it keeps the memory alive.

🏁 Conclusion
This Jellycat Birthday Cake blends charm, sweetness, and creative flair into a delightful celebration centerpiece. With soft layers, pastel-style buttercream, and a playful plush topper, it’s the perfect way to bring joy to birthdays—especially for fans of cuddly cuteness!