A letter cake is a personalized dessert shaped like a letter or number, perfect for any occasion. These cakes combine layers of moist sponge, creamy frosting, and stunning decorations like macarons, fresh fruits, and edible flowers. They’re visually striking, versatile, and surprisingly easy to make!
Table of Contents
What is a Letter Cake?
A letter cake is a personalized dessert crafted in the shape of letters, numbers, or symbols. Whether spelling out someone’s name or marking an anniversary with a significant number, letter cakes allow for endless creativity. They’re layered with moist sponge, creamy frosting, and vibrant toppings like macarons, edible flowers, and fruits. These cakes are versatile and perfect for celebrating birthdays, weddings, or graduations.
If you’re a fan of creative designs, check out our Cupcake Cake, another delightful option to make celebrations even sweeter.
How to Make a Letter Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Buttercream frosting or whipped cream
- Decorative toppings (macarons, fruits, sprinkles, edible flowers)
Instructions:
- Prepare Your Tools: Print or freehand a letter template in your desired size to shape the cake.
- Mix the Batter: Combine dry ingredients in one bowl. In another, cream butter and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla. Alternate mixing the dry ingredients with buttermilk until smooth.
- Bake the Cake: Spread batter into sheet pans and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes. Let the layers cool completely before shaping.
- Shape the Cake: Use the template to cut out the letters or numbers. Pro tip: Freeze the cake layers for 30 minutes beforehand to make cutting easier.
- Assemble the Layers: Pipe frosting between the cake layers, stack them carefully, and smooth the edges for a polished look.
- Decorate Creatively: Add fruits, edible flowers, or themed sprinkles. For a trendy twist, learn how to incorporate ideas from our Donut Cake into your design.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help the cake set before slicing and serving.
Tips for Decorating a Letter Cake
- Play with Colors: Match your frosting and toppings to your event’s theme. Pastel shades are perfect for baby showers, while bold colors work for birthdays.
- Add Textures: Use a combination of crunchy elements, like chocolate shards or sprinkles, and softer decorations, such as piped whipped cream or fresh fruits.
- Go Mini: Create individual letter cakes for a unique, portion-controlled treat. For more inspiration on fun shapes, try our Cupcake Cake.
FAQs About Letter Cakes
How long does it take to make a letter cake?
It takes about 2 hours, including preparation, baking, and decorating.
What’s the best frosting for letter cakes?
Buttercream frosting or whipped cream are ideal because they hold the decorations and add flavor.
Can letter cakes be made in advance?
Yes, you can bake the cake layers up to two days ahead and refrigerate them. Assemble and decorate closer to the event for the best results.
Conclusion
Letter cakes are not just desserts; they’re showstopping centerpieces that bring a personal touch to any occasion. With endless options for customization, from flavors to decorations, they’re a perfect way to celebrate. Try making one for your next event, and let your creativity shine!
For more creative baking ideas, don’t forget to explore our tutorials on stunning desserts like the Donut Cake.
Key Takeaways
- Letter cakes are customizable desserts perfect for any celebration.
- They combine moist sponge layers with creamy frosting and vibrant decorations.
- Easy to personalize with endless options for shapes, colors, and themes.
For expert tips on baking and decorating, visit Taste of Home.
Letter Cake
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Buttercream frosting or whipped cream
- Decorative toppings macarons, fruits, sprinkles, edible flowers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your letter template.
- Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Cream butter and sugar in another bowl, then mix in eggs and vanilla. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk.
- Spread batter into sheet pans and bake for 20–25 minutes. Cool completely.
- Cut cake into desired letter shapes using the template.
- Pipe frosting between layers, assemble, and smooth the edges.
- Decorate with toppings of your choice.
- Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
3 thoughts on “Letter Cake”