Description
Make a splash with this kid‑friendly pool party cake! Fluffy, colorful, and simple to bake—perfect for a sunny backyard bash.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all‑purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 teaspoons powdered gelatin (unflavored)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Food coloring (blue, green, or any fun color)
- Edible glitter or sprinkles (optional)
- Buttercream frosting (store‑bought or homemade)
- Edible “seaweed” or green fondant for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9‑inch round cake pan.
- Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
- Blend. Pour the wet mixture into the dry, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Bake. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the “water.” In a small saucepan, whisk gelatin into cold water. Heat gently, stirring until dissolved. Add lemon juice and a few drops of food coloring. Let cool to room temperature.
- Assemble. Place the cooled cake on a flat surface. Spread a thin layer of buttercream frosting over the top. Pour the colored gelatin over the frosting, letting it pool like water. If you like, sprinkle edible glitter for sparkle.
- Decorate. Add edible seaweed or green fondant strips to mimic waves. You can also cut small “islands” from the cake and place them on the gelatin.
- Chill. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to set the gelatin.
- Serve. Slice and watch the kids enjoy their floating island of cake!
Notes
- Use room‑temperature eggs for a lighter batter.
- Do not overmix the batter; a few lumps are fine.
- For a thicker “water” layer, add an extra teaspoon of gelatin.
- Keep the gelatin cool before pouring to avoid it melting the frosting.
- Use a cake ring to keep the cake perfectly round during baking.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: pool party cake for kids