Stunning Capricorn Constellation Galaxy Cake
A visually stunning galaxy-themed cake featuring the Capricorn constellation, with moist vanilla sponge and creamy buttercream. Perfect for special occasions and astrology lovers.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour – 2 ½ cups (320 g), sifted
- Baking powder – 2 ½ teaspoons (10 g)
- Salt – ½ teaspoon (3 g)
- Unsalted butter – 1 cup (227 g), softened
- Granulated sugar – 1 ¾ cups (350 g)
- Large eggs – 4, room temperature
- Pure vanilla extract – 2 teaspoons (10 ml)
- Whole milk – 1 cup (240 ml), room temperature
- Unsalted butter – 1 cup (227 g), softened (for buttercream)
- Powdered sugar – 4 cups (480 g), sifted
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon (5 ml)
- Heavy cream – 2-4 tablespoons (30-60 ml)
- Gel food coloring – black, navy blue, purple, and white
- Edible silver star sprinkles
- Edible glitter or luster dust (optional)
- White piping gel or royal icing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Using a mixer on medium speed, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.
- Divide batter into 3 or 4 small bowls. Add gel food coloring to each: black, navy blue, purple, and leave one plain white.
- Spoon dollops of each colored batter alternately into prepared pans. Use a skewer or butter knife to gently swirl colors.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cakes rest 15 minutes in pans, then cool completely on wire racks.
- Prepare buttercream by beating softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and 2 tablespoons heavy cream. Adjust consistency with more cream or sugar.
- Divide buttercream and tint with galaxy colors, keeping some white for star highlights.
- Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread thin layer of buttercream on top. Add second layer and repeat. Apply crumb coat and chill 20 minutes.
- Apply final coat of buttercream. Use offset spatula and bench scraper to blend colored buttercream patches to mimic galaxy swirl. Dab white buttercream for stars.
- Pipe Capricorn constellation using white piping gel or royal icing, connecting dots with thin lines. Add edible silver stars around.
- Sprinkle edible glitter lightly for shimmer. Chill cake for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
[‘Do not overmix batter to keep cake fluffy.’, ‘Use room temperature softened butter for best texture.’, ‘Swirl batter gently to avoid muddy colors.’, ‘Adjust buttercream consistency with heavy cream or powdered sugar as needed.’, ‘Practice piping constellation on parchment before decorating cake.’, ‘A turntable is helpful but not necessary for frosting.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cak
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Protein: 4
Keywords: galaxy cake, Capricorn constellation cake, vanilla sponge cake, buttercream frosting, celestial cake, astrology cake, birthday cake, space themed cake