Description
This Circus Animal Cookie Cake is a fun and festive dessert perfect for celebrations. Made with funfetti cake layers, a smooth vanilla buttercream frosting speckled with sprinkles, and topped with colorful frosted animal cookies, it brings a playful twist to traditional birthday cakes that both kids and adults will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 2 boxes funfetti cake mix
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup canola oil
- Pam baking spray (for greasing pans)
Frosting Ingredients
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3-6 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- Pink food coloring
- 2 cups funfetti sprinkles
Decoration
- 1 bag of frosted animal cookies
- 3 9-inch round cake pans
- 3 10-inch round cake boards
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray the three 9-inch round cake pans with baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl, combine the funfetti cake mix, eggs, water, and canola oil. Beat until the ingredients are well combined and smooth.
- Divide and Bake: Evenly divide the cake batter among the three prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely in their pans before attempting to remove.
- Level Cakes: Once cooled, use a cake leveler to trim the domed tops off each cake layer to create flat, even surfaces for stacking.
- Prepare Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue to beat. Mix in vanilla extract, pink food coloring, and heavy whipping cream (starting with 3 tablespoons and adding more as needed) until the frosting is smooth, fluffy, and spreadable. Fold in funfetti sprinkles for extra color and texture.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a 10-inch cake board. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Repeat with the second and third layers, stacking them carefully to build the cake.
- Frost and Decorate: Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting over the entire stacked cake and chill briefly to set. Then, spread a final layer of pink funfetti frosting evenly over the cake. Decorate the top and sides of the cake with frosted animal cookies, arranging them creatively to resemble a circus theme.
Notes
- Ensure cakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- You can substitute canola oil with vegetable oil or melted butter if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of heavy whipping cream in the frosting to achieve your desired consistency.
- Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
