Deliciously crafted Bento Cake for celebrations and special occasions.

Bento Cake

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Why Make This Recipe

Bento cake is a fun and delightful way to present a small, personalized cake. It’s great for celebrations, picnics, or even just to enjoy at home. The charm of bento cake lies in its size; it’s small enough to fit in a lunchbox yet big on flavor. It’s perfect for sharing with friends or family and can be decorated in different ways for any occasion.

How to Make Bento Cake

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • A little food coloring if you want

Directions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients for the cake: flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In another cup, combine all the wet ingredients: egg, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; don’t over-mix.
  5. Divide the batter into two small 4-inch pans or use a regular pan and cut circles after baking.
  6. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Let the cakes cool completely.
  8. For the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing.
  9. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat until fluffy. Mix in milk and vanilla extract last.
  10. Spread a layer of frosting on top of the first cake layer. Place the second layer on top.
  11. Apply a thin coat of frosting all over the cake, known as a crumb coat. Chill in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
  12. Finally, frost the cake nicely and decorate as you wish!

How to Serve Bento Cake

Bento cakes are best served fresh. You can cut slices from the small cake and enjoy them with tea or coffee. They are also perfect for gift-giving as they fit perfectly in a lunchbox. Add a small note or decoration to personalize it further.

How to Store Bento Cake

If you have any leftover bento cake, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It can last for up to five days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the cake without frosting. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer bag. It can last for up to three months.

Tips to Make Bento Cake

  • Make sure to properly measure your ingredients for the best results.
  • Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the icing from melting.
  • Experiment with different food colors or sprinkles to make the cake more fun.
  • Use a cake leveler to make sure your layers are even before stacking.

Variation

You can add flavors to your bento cake, like chocolate or lemon, by substituting some of the dry ingredients with cocoa powder or lemon zest. You can also fill the layers with jam, whipped cream, or fruit for added taste!

FAQs


  1. Can I use other sizes of pans?
    Yes, you can use different pan sizes, but the baking time may vary. Just make sure to check for doneness with a toothpick.



  2. Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?
    Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make it gluten-free.



  3. Can I use store-bought frosting instead?
    Absolutely! Store-bought frosting can save you time. Just ensure it complements the flavor of your cake.


Bento Cake

A delightful and personalized small cake perfect for celebrations, picnics, or everyday enjoyment.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Frosting Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • A little food coloring if you want Optional for decoration

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients for the cake: flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, combine all the wet ingredients: egg, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; don’t over-mix.
  5. Divide the batter into two small 4-inch pans or use a regular pan and cut circles after baking.
Baking
  1. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  2. Let the cakes cool completely.
Frosting & Assembly
  1. For the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing.
  3. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat until fluffy. Mix in milk and vanilla extract last.
  4. Spread a layer of frosting on top of the first cake layer. Place the second layer on top.
  5. Apply a thin coat of frosting all over the cake, known as a crumb coat. Chill in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
  6. Finally, frost the cake nicely and decorate as you wish!

Notes

Make sure to properly measure your ingredients for the best results. Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the icing from melting. Experiment with different food colors or sprinkles to make the cake more fun. Use a cake leveler to ensure your layers are even before stacking.