Minecraft Cake Recipe tutorial 3D by Ann Reardon How To Cook That
Minecraft Cake Recipe tutorial 3D by Ann Reardon How To Cook That is a medium Western recipe that serves 12. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by How To Cook That on YouTube.
Prep: 2 hrs 30 min | Cook: 30 min | Total: 3 hrs 20 min
Cost: $57.23 total, $4.77 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (sifted)
- 1.5 cups Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened, cut into cubes)
- 4 Large Eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup Whole Milk (room temperature)
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar (sifted)
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (for buttercream) (softened)
- 2 tbsp Milk (for buttercream)
- 1 lb Food‑Grade Brown Fondant (divided into dark brown and light brown portions)
- 0.5 lb Food‑Grade Light Grey Fondant
- 0.5 lb Food‑Grade Green Fondant (mix of two shades for variety)
- 2 tbsp Crisco (or butter/margarine) (thin layer on baking paper to prevent sticking)
- 1 tbsp Water (for brushing fondant squares)
- 4 oz Dark Chocolate (for optional honeycomb chocolate coating)
Instructions
Prepare Cake Batter
In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
Time: PT15M
Combine Dry Ingredients and Bake
Sift together flour and baking powder, then gradually add to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Mix just until combined. Pour batter into a greased 9‑inch square pan, smooth the top, and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Time: PT30M
Temperature: 350°F
Cool the Cake
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn onto a cooling rack and let cool completely before frosting.
Time: PT30M
Make Buttercream Icing
Beat 1 cup softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing on low. Add milk and vanilla, beat on high for 2‑3 minutes until light and fluffy.
Time: PT20M
Frost the Cake
Place the cooled cake on a board. Apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream, smooth with an offset spatula, then chill 10 minutes. Apply a final thick layer of buttercream, smoothing the sides with a paper towel and fondant smoother as described in the video.
Time: PT15M
Color Fondant
Divide the fondant into four portions: dark brown, light brown, light grey, and green. Knead food‑grade coloring into each portion until evenly colored.
Time: PT15M
Roll Fondant and Cut Strips
Place a sheet of parchment paper on the bench, tape it down, and roll each colored fondant to a 1/8‑inch thickness. Using a pizza cutter, cut long straight strips about 1‑inch wide, covering the entire sheet.
Time: PT20M
Cut Fondant Squares
Turn the rolled fondant and cut the strips into 1‑inch squares using the pizza cutter. Keep the squares organized by color.
Time: PT15M
Prepare Baking Paper for Placement
Lay a fresh sheet of parchment on the template, rub a thin layer of Crisco (or butter) over it, then wipe excess with a paper towel. Tape the paper to the bench, aligning one edge with the white square template.
Time: PT5M
Assemble Fondant Squares on Cake
Starting at the bottom edge, place brown squares side‑by‑side, using a ruler to keep lines straight. Add light grey squares where needed, and finish the top rows with green squares. Lightly brush each square with a little water to help them adhere to each other and to the buttercream.
Time: PT20M
Transfer Fondant‑Covered Cake
Slide the parchment paper with the assembled fondant onto a thin, firm board. Align the bottom edge of the fondant with the base of the cake, tilt up, and gently press the cake onto the fondant. Smooth any gaps with the fondant smoother.
Time: PT10M
Final Smoothing and Optional Decorations
Use the fondant smoother to perfect the edges on all four sides. If desired, cut leftover fondant squares into tiny cubes and coat small cake cubes or honeycomb chocolate pieces for extra Minecraft‑style snacks.
Time: PT10M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 350
- Protein
- 5g
- Carbohydrates
- 45g
- Fat
- 15g
- Fiber
- 1g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, Contains gluten, Contains dairy, Contains eggs
Allergens: Wheat, Eggs, Dairy, Soy (if margarine used), Tree nuts (optional chocolate coating)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of All-Purpose Flour: Cake Flour
- Instead of Granulated Sugar: Caster Sugar
- Instead of Unsalted Butter: Margarine
- Instead of Large Eggs: Pasteurized egg substitute
- Instead of Whole Milk: Almond Milk
- Instead of Baking Powder: Baking Soda + Cream of Tartar
- Instead of Vanilla Extract: Vanilla Bean Paste
- Instead of Powdered Sugar: Confectioners' Sugar
- Instead of Unsalted Butter (for buttercream): Margarine
- Instead of Milk (for buttercream): Heavy Cream (use less)
- Instead of Food‑Grade Brown Fondant: Homemade fondant
- Instead of Food‑Grade Light Grey Fondant: Grey fondant mix
- Instead of Food‑Grade Green Fondant: Green fondant mix
- Instead of Crisco (or butter/margarine): Butter, Margarine
- Instead of Dark Chocolate: Chocolate chips
Equipment Needed
- Mixing Bowl
- Electric Mixer
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- 9‑inch Square Cake Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Cooling Rack
- Offset Spatula
- Bench Scraper
- Rolling Pin
- Pizza Cutter
- Ruler
- Fondant Smoother
- Plastic Sheeting (optional)
- Sticky Tape
- Paper Towels
- Brush
- Water Spray Bottle (optional)
- Cardboard Sheet
- Book or Flat Weight (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Smoothing buttercream with paper towel and fondant smoother to achieve flat sides.
- Coloring fondant accurately to match Minecraft block palette.
- Cutting fondant into precise 1‑inch squares using a pizza cutter.
- Using a thin layer of Crisco on parchment to keep fondant squares in place.
- Transferring the fondant‑covered cake without tearing the squares.
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use a ruler and a gentle hand to keep the fondant squares perfectly aligned – the Minecraft look relies on crisp, straight lines.
- If you don’t have a fondant smoother, a clean palm can be used to press the fondant into place.
- For extra realism, add a few tiny chocolate “ore” pieces on the brown squares.
Troubleshooting
Fondant sticks to the pizza cutter.
Wash and dry the cutter blade thoroughly, then lightly dust the cutter with powdered sugar before cutting.
Buttercream cracks when smoothing.
Ensure the cake is completely cooled and the buttercream is at room temperature; chill briefly if needed before final smoothing.
Fondant squares lift off the cake.
Brush each square lightly with water before placement and press gently; allow the assembled cake to rest for 10 minutes before moving.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving.
Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil; freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Room temperature: Not recommended due to buttercream; if serving within 2 hours, keep in a cool place.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Bake the cake a day ahead and store wrapped in plastic; make buttercream the same day.
- Cover fondant squares with a thin layer of vegetable oil or keep them in an airtight container to prevent drying.
- Assemble the fondant on the cake no more than 2 hours before serving to keep buttercream stable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of a Minecraft cake in gaming party culture?
Minecraft cakes have become a staple for gamers celebrating birthdays or in‑game milestones. The blocky design mimics the iconic pixelated world of Minecraft, turning a simple dessert into a visual tribute to the game’s creative spirit.
What are the traditional regional variations of Minecraft‑style cakes in Western party cuisine?
While the core concept is the same—square cake with blocky fondant—some bakers add regional twists like using chocolate ganache for a ‘nether’ theme or adding edible glitter for a ‘creative’ mode flair. The base recipe remains a vanilla cake with buttercream.
How is a Minecraft cake traditionally served at a gaming celebration in the United States?
It is usually presented on a flat board or cake stand, sliced into 1‑inch cubes that look like Minecraft blocks, and served alongside themed snacks such as pixel‑shaped cookies or chocolate‑covered pretzels.
What occasions or celebrations is a Minecraft cake traditionally associated with in gamer culture?
Minecraft cakes are popular for birthdays, server launch parties, gaming tournaments, and “streamer” milestones where fans gather to celebrate a new achievement in the game.
What makes the Minecraft cake special or unique in the context of modern dessert trends?
Its visual impact—precise, pixel‑perfect fondant squares—turns a simple cake into an interactive, Instagram‑ready centerpiece, blending culinary skill with video‑game aesthetics.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making the Minecraft cake from How To Cook That?
Common errors include over‑mixing the cake batter, not allowing the cake to cool fully before frosting, using too much water on the fondant (which makes it soggy), and cutting fondant squares that are uneven, which ruins the blocky look.
Why does this Minecraft cake recipe use a pizza cutter for fondant instead of a knife?
A pizza cutter glides through fondant without tearing, producing clean, straight edges essential for the pixelated Minecraft aesthetic, whereas a knife can crush or compress the fondant.
Can I make the Minecraft cake ahead of time and how should I store it before serving?
Yes. Bake and cool the cake a day ahead, keep it wrapped in plastic, make the buttercream and store it in an airtight container, and assemble the fondant squares up to 2 hours before serving. Refrigerate until ready, then let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
What texture and appearance should I look for when smoothing the buttercream on the Minecraft cake?
The buttercream should be smooth, glossy, and free of peaks or air bubbles. Using a paper towel under the fondant smoother helps achieve a perfectly flat side, mimicking the clean lines of Minecraft blocks.
How do I know when the Minecraft cake is done baking?
Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs. The cake will also spring back lightly when pressed and have a golden‑brown top.
What does the YouTube channel How To Cook That specialize in?
The YouTube channel How To Cook That, hosted by Ann Reardon, specializes in science‑based cooking tutorials, detailed technique breakdowns, and creative recipes that often include fun themes and thorough explanations.
How does the YouTube channel How To Cook That's approach to Minecraft‑themed baking differ from other cooking channels?
How To Cook That combines precise culinary science with playful, pop‑culture projects, offering step‑by‑step visual guides and troubleshooting tips that are more detailed than many casual DIY baking videos.
Last updated: September 1, 2026






