Turn your average supermarket cake into a showstopper with this simple trick!
We’ve all been there. Family or friends suddenly announce they’ll be coming over, or have the impromptu decision to hold a last-minute celebration.
And then there’s us, grasping at straws on what to whip up in such a short span of time..
Don’t worry, members, we've got you covered. Today, we'll explore how to take your ordinary supermarket-bought mud cake and transform it into something truly spectacular.
And the best bit? No actual baking is required!
Recycling iconic 'shape cakes' that bring waves of fun to parties, this clever technique demands only a few basic ingredients, creativity, and your favourite store-bought cake. You don’t have to be a star baker to create a real showstopper.
Now, you might be asking, where should I start? A reliable platform for inspiration is social media, rife with step-by-step tutorials to get you started. So sit down with a cuppa, peruse the virtual shelves for ideas, and prepare to shock everyone with your newfound pastry prowess.
The best part of this DIY bakery adventure is the fun of decorating. After all, that’s where the magic truly happens. However, before we get to the delightful details, let's ensure you're well-stocked on homemade buttercream icing, which is crucial to this enterprise.
Here's a good old-fashioned recipe for your reference:
Buttercream icing:
Pro Tip: This icing can be made in advance and stored in airtight containers for up to a week. Warm it up in the microwave in 10-second spurts when ready to use again, stopping short of melting.
Once the icing is done, move on to the next step: preparing the cake! Are you feeling inspired? Why not try out the magical unicorn cake idea?
Here's the lowdown:
You'll need a mud cake, two batches of buttercream frosting (one white and one coloured), a black fondant, ready-to-use toppers for the horn and ears, and a sprinkle of creativity.
For the mud cake, you have different options. ALDI offers the cheapest one for $4, which New Idea Food’s Food Director Barbara Northwood recommends.
You can also purchase one from Woolworths and Coles for $4.80. But if you can’t find one, you may also opt for Green's Cake Mix Chocolate Mud 530g.
Accomplished cake artist Tigga Maccormack, renowned for breathing new life into supermarket cakes, won us over with her Unicorn Cake. And now it's your turn to recreate the magic at home!
Follow these simple steps:
You can watch Tigga’s tutorial here:
So take heart, dear friends, because whether it's for a grandchild's birthday bash, an evening with the book club, or even to satisfy that impromptu craving, turning a simple mud cake into anything but simple is genuinely a piece of cake.
What do you think of this trick, members? Are you willing to try it at your next party? Let us know in the comments below!
And then there’s us, grasping at straws on what to whip up in such a short span of time..
Don’t worry, members, we've got you covered. Today, we'll explore how to take your ordinary supermarket-bought mud cake and transform it into something truly spectacular.
And the best bit? No actual baking is required!
Recycling iconic 'shape cakes' that bring waves of fun to parties, this clever technique demands only a few basic ingredients, creativity, and your favourite store-bought cake. You don’t have to be a star baker to create a real showstopper.
Now, you might be asking, where should I start? A reliable platform for inspiration is social media, rife with step-by-step tutorials to get you started. So sit down with a cuppa, peruse the virtual shelves for ideas, and prepare to shock everyone with your newfound pastry prowess.
The best part of this DIY bakery adventure is the fun of decorating. After all, that’s where the magic truly happens. However, before we get to the delightful details, let's ensure you're well-stocked on homemade buttercream icing, which is crucial to this enterprise.
Here's a good old-fashioned recipe for your reference:
Buttercream icing:
- 250g butter - softened (but not melted!)
- 3 cups icing sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Method:
1. In a stand mixer or with electric beaters, whip the butter until it's pale and fluffy. Don't be shy here, and continue beating until it's undeniably light while scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go. The fluffier, the better.
2. Gradually add the icing sugar, half a cup at a time. Beat well between each addition so the sugar is well incorporated into the butter.
3. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time and beat them in until you have a creamy and luxurious mix.
4. Now's the time to express your inner artist by adding colour or flavour as desired. Get ready to swath your cake in this glorious concoction!
Pro Tip: This icing can be made in advance and stored in airtight containers for up to a week. Warm it up in the microwave in 10-second spurts when ready to use again, stopping short of melting.
Once the icing is done, move on to the next step: preparing the cake! Are you feeling inspired? Why not try out the magical unicorn cake idea?
Here's the lowdown:
You'll need a mud cake, two batches of buttercream frosting (one white and one coloured), a black fondant, ready-to-use toppers for the horn and ears, and a sprinkle of creativity.
For the mud cake, you have different options. ALDI offers the cheapest one for $4, which New Idea Food’s Food Director Barbara Northwood recommends.
You can also purchase one from Woolworths and Coles for $4.80. But if you can’t find one, you may also opt for Green's Cake Mix Chocolate Mud 530g.
Accomplished cake artist Tigga Maccormack, renowned for breathing new life into supermarket cakes, won us over with her Unicorn Cake. And now it's your turn to recreate the magic at home!
Follow these simple steps:
1. First, slice the cake into two semicircles, but note to mould one slightly smaller. Keep hold of the trimmed corners to craft the unicorn's ears. From the rest of that piece, sculpt a small, endearing semicircle for the unicorn's nose.
2. Using your freshly whipped buttercream as glue, you can start building your unicorn. Stand the larger semi-circle upright on its edge, then place the smaller piece towards the front, also standing upright to form the nose.
3. Start icing with white buttercream, not forgetting to attach the horn and ear toppers on top.
4. Time to use that fondant! Use it to create the unicorn's eyes and nostrils.
5. Lastly, pipe the coloured buttercream to create a voluminous mane. This will bring your masterpiece to life!
You can watch Tigga’s tutorial here:
Key Takeaways
- Supermarket cake tricks involve transforming store-bought cakes into impressive treats without baking from scratch.
- Key components of these hacks include the use of pre-made or homemade buttercream for
decorating and creating basic cakes, like the mud cake, into unique designs. - A popular cake artist, Tigga Maccormack, is known for demonstrating effective
supermarket cake techniques, such as the unicorn cake. - The unicorn cake hack involves slicing and arranging a mud cake into a unicorn shape, icing with buttercream frosting, and using store-bought fondant for decorative details.
So take heart, dear friends, because whether it's for a grandchild's birthday bash, an evening with the book club, or even to satisfy that impromptu craving, turning a simple mud cake into anything but simple is genuinely a piece of cake.
What do you think of this trick, members? Are you willing to try it at your next party? Let us know in the comments below!