Hagrid's Birthday Cake
Hagrid’s birthday cake could easily become your go-to recipe for any festive gathering. Inspired by the enchanting world of Harry Potter, this cake features layers of moist chocolate goodness topped with a fluffy buttercream frosting. Whether you’re planning a birthday bash or simply want to indulge your sweet tooth, this cake ticks all the boxes for deliciousness and presentation. Trust me, after you serve this up, your guests will be raving about it long after the last bite!
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- Stand mixer
- Spatula
- 3 round cake pans (8-inch)
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
- piping bag
Ingredients
- To craft this delightful creation gather the following ingredients:
Cake:
- - 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- - 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- - 2 teaspoons baking soda
- - 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- - 1 teaspoon salt
- - Scant 2 cups granulated sugar
- - 3 large eggs
- - 1 cup buttermilk
- - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- - 1 cup warm coffee
- - Optional: 1 tablespoon espresso powder for an enhanced chocolate flavor
Frosting:
- - 2 cups softened butter
- - 6 cups powdered sugar
- - 6 tablespoons heavy cream
- - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- - Optional: A pinch of sea salt for contrast in flavor
- Feel free to switch things up based on what you have at home or what’s in season!
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare your pans
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round cake pans thoroughly, then dust with flour or line them with parchment paper. This ensures your cakes lift out seamlessly, ready for frosting!
Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
- In a medium bowl, sieve together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, espresso powder (if using), and a pinch of salt. This step avoids any lumps and combines everything nicely. Set it aside while you tackle the wet ingredients.
Step 3: Whip up the batter
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar and eggs on medium speed. Do this for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—it’s like whipping up clouds! Once fluffy, add in the buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is fully blended.
Step 4: Combine wet and dry ingredients
- Now pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Alternate adding in the warm coffee to the batter. Stir gently until combined, but don’t overdo it! Just enough to meld all the ingredients, then scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again for another minute to ensure a uniform batter.
Step 5: Divide the batter
- First, weigh your mixture if you have a scale to divide evenly, but if not, eyeballing is fine! Pour approximately 16 ounces of batter into each cake pan.
Step 6: Bake those beauties
- Slide your pans into the preheated oven and bake for 18–20 minutes. Keep an eye on them! A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean when they’re done. Let them cool in the pans for about 20 minutes; this will make them easier to remove.
Step 7: Cool on a rack
- Carefully turn out the cakes onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling is crucial; you want your layers to be cool enough to frost without melting the buttercream.
Step 8: Make the frosting
- Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter for about 2-3 minutes until it’s creamy and smooth. Gradually add in the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low until it’s all combined. Next, stir in the heavy cream, and vanilla extract, then scrape the sides of the bowl. Beat on medium speed for approximately 5 minutes until the frosting is fluffy and light—a treat for your taste buds!
Step 9: Color your frosting
- Scoop out 1/2 cup of frosting into a small bowl and tint this green (using food coloring), while the rest of it remains the classic pink. This combination adds a whimsical touch to your cake.
Step 10: Assemble the cake
- To bring it all together, place one layer of the cooled cake on a serving plate. Spread around 1 cup of the frosting on top. Place the second layer of cake on top, and you can either stop there or add the third layer for that going-the-extra-mile vibe! Frost the entire outside with the pink frosting, smoothing it out but leave it somewhat rugged for that signature Hagrid look.
- To top it all off, pipe your “Happee Birthdae” message across the top with the green frosting—a perfect capstone for your magical cake!
Notes
- Ingredient Temperature: Make sure your eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature for an evenly mixed batter.
- Tap it Out: After filling your pans, skip the oven floor shake. Instead, tap the pans gently on the counter to release any air bubbles.
- Cooling Time: Don’t rush the cooling process. Let the cakes cool completely to prevent the frosting from sliding off.
- Frosting Technique: To achieve a rustic finish, use a spatula to create swirls and texture on the frosting.
- Make Ahead: You can bake the cakes ahead of time and freeze them. Just thaw before frosting for a stress-free assembly.
Nutrition
Calories: 480kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!