butterbeer cream cake... for the finest wizards
Universal Islands Adventure, we had our first sip of Butterbeer. Butterbeer is from the series of "Harry Potter" books. Butterbeer resembles butterscotch and vanilla cream soda. Ever since my eldest had one sip, she has become obsessed with this stuff. on my quest to serve Gracie some of the best Butterbeer desserts, I wanted to taste the creamy, vanilla flavor behind the initial taste of butterscotch. My vanilla cake is filled with a creamy butterscotch filling, frosted with luscious vanilla buttercream, beautifully drenched with butterscotch sauce, and homemade vanilla cream.
Blue Ribbon Recipe
Julia has perfected the taste of butterbeer in cake form. This cake is a labor of love, but in the end, you get a perfectly blended flavor of vanilla and butterscotch that forms the decadent butterbeer flavor. All the finest wizards will be requesting this spell-bounding dessert. Decadent and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup instant vanilla pudding mix (about 1/2 3.4 oz box)
- 2 large eggs room temp
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temp
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups pre-sifted cake flour (presifted at least 4 times BEFORE measured)
- FOR THE VANILLA CREAM SAUCE
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/2 tablespoon clear imitation vanilla extract
- FOR BUTTERSCOTCH CREAM FILLING
- 1 cup cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup instant butterscotch pudding (1 3.4 oz box)
- 2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
- FOR LUSCIOUS VANILLA BUTTERCREAM
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 1 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 tablespoon clear imitation vanilla extract
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- GARNISH
- 1 - bottle of butterscotch topping sauce
How To Make butterbeer cream cake... for the finest wizards
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Step 1Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare 2 8-inch cake pans with nonstick baking spray.
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Step 2Presift your cake flour at least for times in a separate bowl. This is CRUCIAL that you ONLY use CAKE FLOUR!!!!! Otherwise, your cake will be dense and dry. Measure 2 cups of cake flour after you have sifted at least 4 times and it becomes very airy and silky. (There is a huge difference between self-rise flour and cake flour. Please be sure your box says "cake flour").
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Step 3With the measured cake flour in a sifter, add baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sift together in a bowl and set aside for later use.
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Step 4Using an electric mixer, beat butter on high until smooth and creamy.
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Step 5Add granulated sugar and mix on medium-high to high for at least 2 minutes until fluffy and light in color. (This is critical to making your cake fluffy with lots of tiny holes). Scrape sides. Mix in vanilla pudding. Scrape sides. Mix in eggs, then add vanilla. Scrape sides.
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Step 6Starting with dry mix, slowly add a small amount at a time into the wet batter. Then alternate with the buttermilk. Continue alternating dry with buttermilk until you end with the dry ingredients. AS SOON AS YOU NO LONGER SEE WHITE FLOUR, STOP MIXER and mix by hand.
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Step 7After batter is thoroughly mixed, fill each cake pan with 1 cup of batter (for 4-inch circle). Pick up and drop the cake pan a couple of inches from the countertop to allow the large air bubbles to escape.
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Step 8Bake 18-22 minutes until tops are domed and tops are a light golden brown. Top should also spring back.
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Step 9Allow to cool in pan about 5-10 minutes then move to freezer so it will be easy to frost and assemble.
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Step 10For Vanilla Sauce: In a medium pot, bring half & half and water to a boil on medium-high heat. Stir constantly to prevent burning.
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Step 11Stir in corn starch and sugar. Mix well and bring back to a boil. Cook 2-3 minutes or until the mixture becomes thick.
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Step 12Remove from heat and add salted butter and vanilla.
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Step 13Mix well and allow to cool before use.
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Step 14I keep mine in a squeeze bottle for easy pouring. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for weeks.
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Step 15Butterscotch Cream Filling: Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth.
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Step 16Add in instant pudding and beat until smooth and well mixed.
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Step 17Slowly stir in the thawed dessert topping.
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Step 18Place in a piping bag with tip or Ziploc bag and snip off the end.
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Step 19Luscious Vanilla Buttercream: Using an electric mixer, beat butter and vegetable shortening until smooth and creamy.
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Step 20Mix in clear vanilla.
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Step 21Slowly stir in one cup of powdered sugar at a time.
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Step 22Beat on medium-high about 2 minutes for the buttercream to become more airy and fluffy. Place in a piping or Ziploc bag.
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Step 23To assemble, remove cakes from freezer. Using a cake layer cutter or serrated knife, slice off the top dome of cakes.
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Step 24As I previously taught you how to assemble a layered cake, dampen a paper towel and place it under a small cake board so it will help hold it in place while frosting. Place a dollop of vanilla buttercream in the center of the board to hold cake down like glue.
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Step 25Place the bottom layer of cake. Squeeze store-bought butterscotch sauce over the top and spread.
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Step 26Leaving about 1/3rd of an inch edge bare, fill the center of the cake with the butterscotch filling.
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Step 27Squeeze and spread butterscotch sauce over the sliced top of other cake layer. Flip so butterscotch sauce side is touching the filling.
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Step 28Crumb coat cake with a thin layer of vanilla buttercream. Place cake back in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes.
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Step 29Remove frozen cake. Frost with a thicker layer of vanilla buttercream. After frosting is placed remove the dampened paper towel because it is going to be impossible to move after this point.
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Step 30Heavily cover the top of frosted cake with store-bought butterscotch sauce. It will drip down the sides and look amazing!
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Step 31With your vanilla sauce in a squeeze bottle or a Ziploc bag with the end snipped off, zig-zag vanilla sauce on top of the butterscotch sauce layer.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!