Making a football cake is a fun and creative way to celebrate any football-themed event, whether it’s for a birthday, a game day, or a special occasion. In this detailed guide, we will walk you through the steps to make a cake that looks like a football. With a few simple ingredients, some patience, and a little bit of decorating skill, you’ll be able to create a show-stopping football cake that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather all the ingredients required for making both the cake and the decoration. Here is a list of what you will need:
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups cocoa powder (for a chocolate football cake)
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-4 tbsp whole milk (depending on consistency)
- ½ cup cocoa powder (for chocolate frosting)
For the Football Decoration:
- Brown food coloring (gel or liquid)
- White fondant (for the laces)
- A rolling pin
- A knife or fondant cutter
Equipment You’ll Need
- 2 round cake pans (8 or 9 inches)
- Mixer (stand or hand-held)
- Cooling rack
- Offset spatula
- Piping bag (for frosting and laces)
- Baking paper
- Toothpicks or skewers (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Pans
Start by preparing your cake pans. Grease them with butter or oil and line the bottoms with parchment paper. This will prevent the cake from sticking to the pans after baking. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and let it heat while you move on to the next steps.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set this bowl aside. Mixing the dry ingredients first ensures that they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy. This will take about 3-5 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in batches, alternating with the milk. Start with a portion of the dry ingredients, then add a bit of milk, and continue alternating until everything is fully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix; mix just until the batter is smooth.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans. Use a spatula to smooth the tops of the batter. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool the Cakes
Once the cakes are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, turn them out onto a cooling rack and let them cool completely before decorating. This is a crucial step because decorating a warm cake will cause the frosting to melt.
Step 7: Prepare the Buttercream Frosting
While the cakes are cooling, prepare the buttercream frosting. Beat the softened butter in a large bowl until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and enough milk to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. If you want to make a chocolate football cake, add cocoa powder to the frosting and mix well.
Step 8: Trim the Cakes (Optional)
Once your cakes are cool, you may want to trim them to create the shape of a football. To do this, carefully level the tops of both cakes with a serrated knife so they are even. Then, place the cakes side by side and trim the edges into an oval football shape. This will give you a football-shaped base to work with.
Step 9: Frost the Cake
Once your cakes are shaped, use an offset spatula to spread a thin layer of buttercream frosting over the entire cake. This is called the crumb coat. The crumb coat helps to seal in any loose crumbs and gives you a smooth surface to work with.
After applying the crumb coat, place the cake in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to set the frosting. Once the crumb coat is firm, apply a second, thicker layer of frosting over the entire cake. Smooth the frosting evenly using your offset spatula. Don’t worry if the frosting isn’t perfect at this point, as you will cover it with fondant.
Step 10: Roll Out the Fondant
Now comes the fun part: decorating! To create the football’s outer texture, you will need to cover the cake with fondant. Dust your countertop or work surface with a little powdered sugar to prevent the fondant from sticking. Roll out the brown fondant until it’s large enough to cover the entire cake.
Carefully drape the fondant over the cake, smoothing it gently with your hands. Use the edge of a bench scraper or knife to trim any excess fondant from the bottom of the cake. If you’re working with a large football shape, make sure to press the fondant gently to avoid any air bubbles.
Step 11: Create the Football Laces
Once the cake is covered in brown fondant, it’s time to add the football laces. Roll out some white fondant into thin ropes. You can use a rolling pin or your hands to achieve the right thickness. Cut the ropes into small pieces that resemble the shape of a football lace pattern.
Carefully place the laces on top of the cake. You may want to use a small amount of water or edible glue to help the fondant pieces stick to the brown fondant. Once placed, use a knife or fondant cutter to shape the laces into a neat, symmetrical design.
Step 12: Add Final Details
For extra realism, you can use a bit of brown food coloring to add shading or texture to the football. You can brush the sides lightly with the food coloring to give the cake a more realistic look. You can also use a piping bag to add extra details or accents on the laces or edges.
Step 13: Chill the Cake
Once you have finished decorating, let the cake chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to allow the fondant and frosting to set. This will help everything stay in place while cutting and serving.
Step 14: Serve and Enjoy
Your football cake is now ready to be served! When you slice into it, you’ll reveal the delicious cake and creamy frosting inside. This cake is sure to be a hit at any football-themed event. Serve it alongside other snacks and treats for a complete game day experience.
Tips for Success
- Make sure the cake is completely cool before decorating to avoid melting the frosting or fondant.
- If you don’t want to make your own fondant, you can purchase ready-made fondant from most baking stores.
- If you’re making a large football cake, consider using a cake board to help with handling and transportation.
- You can also add a personalized touch by decorating the cake with team colors or logos using edible paint or food coloring.
Conclusion
Making a football cake is a fun and creative way to celebrate a football event. With simple ingredients, a bit of patience, and some easy decorating steps, you can create a stunning cake that looks just like a football. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Related topics
