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Beautiful and Easy Butterfly Cake Recipe

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  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Beautiful and Easy Butterfly Cake is a delightful and visually stunning dessert perfect for birthdays, spring parties, or baby showers. Featuring a classic vanilla cake base decorated with colorful, swirl-patterned frosting shaped like butterfly wings, it’s an impressive yet simple cake to make that combines fun and elegance in every bite.

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 box vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients listed on box such as eggs, oil, and water)

Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk
  • Gel food coloring (assorted colors)

Decoration

  • Pastel sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)
  • Cupcake liners (if making wing accents)
  • Cake decorations like candy pearls or shaped gummies (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake: Follow the package directions on the vanilla cake mix box to prepare the batter. Pour the batter evenly into two 8-inch round cake pans and bake as directed. Once baked, allow the cakes to cool completely before proceeding.
  2. Shape the Wings: Level the tops of the cooled cakes if necessary to create an even surface. Carefully cut each round cake in half to yield four semi-circles. Arrange two semi-circles side by side with their cut edges facing outward to form each butterfly wing on your serving tray or cake board. Trim edges slightly if you want more defined wing shapes.
  3. Create the Body: For the butterfly’s body, position a cupcake or a few candy pieces between the wings, or simply pipe a line of frosting down the center where the wings meet to form the body shape.
  4. Make the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, mixing until smooth and spreadable. Divide the frosting into several bowls to tint with different gel food colors for a vibrant effect.
  5. Decorate the Wings: Using piping bags or spatulas, decorate each wing with colorful swirls, dots, or blocks of color. Add pastel sprinkles or edible glitter for extra sparkle and whimsy. Use cupcake liners or candy decorations to accentuate the wings if desired.
  6. Chill and Serve: Once decorated, chill the cake slightly to set the frosting before serving to ensure the design holds firm. Slice the cake into 12 pieces and enjoy your elegant butterfly-themed dessert!

Notes

  • This cake works well with any flavor cake, including chocolate or your preferred mix.
  • For a quicker version, use store-bought frosting and decorate with pre-made candies or cupcake toppers.
  • Perfect for birthday celebrations, spring-themed parties, or baby showers.
  • Gel food coloring provides vibrant colors without altering frosting texture.
  • Chilling the cake briefly helps the frosting set and keep its shape during serving.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/beautiful-and-easy-butterfly-cake-recipe/