If you’re looking for a cake that combines the richness of chocolate with the iconic crunch of KitKat bars, this dessert is a showstopper at any event. Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, or special celebration, this sweet treat is loved by both children and adults. With a stunning outer layer of candy bars surrounding the cake and topped with colorful candies, it’s not only a delicious treat but also a visual delight.
Whether it’s for a birthday party, holiday celebration, or a special event like a graduation or anniversary, this cake can be easily customized to suit any theme. Kids are drawn to the bright, colorful toppings—often using M&Ms, Skittles, or sprinkles—which makes it a hit at children’s parties. However, the appeal doesn’t stop there. Adults love the rich, decadent chocolate layers and the indulgence of having their favorite KitKat bars integrated into a cake.
What is a KitKat Cake?
This dessert is a type of cake that incorporates KitKat bars as a major part of its decoration. Typically, the cake is frosted and surrounded by full bars standing upright, which forms a wall around the base. The top is often decorated with a variety of colorful toppings such as M&Ms, chocolate candies, or fruits, making it not only delicious but also highly customizable.
This cake gained popularity thanks to social media platforms, where its eye-catching design quickly became a trend. People love it for its simplicity in decoration and the use of popular candy bars. It’s the perfect dessert to make for a special occasion, and the possibilities for customization are endless.
The Origin of KitKat Cakes
While KitKat bars themselves have been around since the 1930s, it wasn’t until the past few decades that they started being used in desserts like cakes. Originally, KitKats were enjoyed simply as a chocolate treat. However, creative bakers started incorporating them into desserts, and soon, this particular cake became a viral sensation.
The appeal of this dessert lies in its simplicity and visual appeal. The combination of a chocolate cake base, surrounded by a wall of candy bars and topped with candies, makes it both fun to make and impressive to display. Whether it’s for a child’s birthday or a casual gathering, this candy cake brings excitement to any event.
Today, you can find countless variations of this dessert across food blogs, baking websites, and recipe-sharing platforms.
Basic KitKat Cake Structure and Ingredients
At its core, this dessert is easy to make. It usually consists of a simple chocolate cake base, frosted and then surrounded by KitKat bars. The bars are positioned upright around the cake, forming a decorative wall. The top of the cake is often filled with colorful candies like M&Ms, making it both visually striking and delicious.
Ingredients for a Basic Version:
- Cake Base: Most cakes of this kind are built using a chocolate cake, though you can use any flavor you prefer.
- Frosting: A rich chocolate buttercream or ganache is typically used to adhere the KitKat bars to the cake.
- KitKat Bars: These are used to create the outer wall of the cake. Depending on the size of your cake, you will need several packs.
- Toppings: Common toppings include M&Ms, but you can also use Skittles, fresh fruit, or other candies.
Steps to Create KitKat Cake:
- Bake the Cake Base: Begin by baking your preferred cake. A standard two-layer chocolate cake is the most popular choice.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake is cooled, spread a generous layer of frosting around the sides and top.
- Add KitKat Bars: Break the KitKat bars into individual sticks and place them upright around the perimeter of the cake, pressing them gently into the frosting.
- Add Toppings: Fill the top of the cake with M&Ms or other toppings of your choice.
The end result is a beautifully decorated dessert with a KitKat exterior and a colorful candy topping.
Different Variations of KitKat Cakes
While the classic version features a chocolate cake base and candy bars around the sides, there are many ways to customize this cake to suit your taste and occasion.
Classic Chocolate Version
The original KitKat-inspired cake is made with a chocolate cake base, chocolate frosting, and topped with M&Ms or other colorful candies. This is the most popular version and is perfect for any chocolate lover.
Strawberry Version
A fresh take on the original, the Strawberry KitKat Cake uses a vanilla or strawberry cake base, topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. The KitKat bars still form the wall around the cake, providing a crunchy contrast to the soft fruits and cake.
Mini Cupcakes
Instead of making a full-sized cake, you can create mini KitKat cupcakes. Simply top each cupcake with a mini KitKat bar and other toppings like sprinkles or candies. This is a great idea for parties or individual servings.
Holiday-Themed Versions
Customize your dessert for special occasions such as Halloween, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day by using themed candies and decorations. For example, use red and green M&Ms for Christmas or spooky candies for Halloween.
Step-by-Step Recipe for Making a KitKat Cake
Now that you know the basic structure and variations, here’s a detailed recipe for making a classic version at home.
Ingredients:
- 2 layers of chocolate cake (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups of chocolate frosting
- 10-12 packs of KitKat bars (more if needed for a larger cake)
- 2 cups of M&Ms or other candies for the topping
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cake Base: Bake two layers of chocolate cake according to your favorite recipe or use a store-bought mix. Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.
- Frost the Cake: Place one layer of cake on a serving plate and frost the top. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake (sides and top).
- Add the KitKats: Break the KitKat bars into individual sticks. Carefully press the KitKat sticks vertically against the sides of the cake, sticking them into the frosting.
- Secure the KitKats: To ensure the bars stay in place, you can tie a decorative ribbon around the cake.
- Top with Candies: Once the bars are secured, fill the top of the cake with M&Ms or other candies. Make sure the top is fully covered for a colorful finish.
- Chill and Serve: Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to ensure the frosting sets and the KitKat bars stay in place.
KitKat Cake for Special Occasions
The KitKat Cake is perfect for almost any celebration. It’s especially popular for birthdays, but with a little creativity, you can adapt it for a variety of occasions.
Birthdays:
Personalize your KitKat Cake for a birthday by adding candles, edible decorations, or even a custom message on the cake. You can also experiment with different colors of M&Ms or other candies that match the birthday theme.
Holidays:
During holidays, you can create themed KitKat Cakes by using seasonal candies. For Christmas, decorate with red and green M&Ms, while for Valentine’s Day, you can use heart-shaped candies.
Anniversaries and Graduations:
For special events like anniversaries or graduations, you can elevate the KitKat Cake by using more elegant decorations, such as chocolate-dipped strawberries, edible gold leaf, or custom cake toppers.
Customizing KitKat Cakes with Different Flavors
While the traditional KitKat Cake is usually made with a chocolate base, there’s no reason you can’t experiment with different flavors.
Flavored KitKats
Nowadays, KitKat bars come in a wide variety of flavors, from mint to white chocolate and even unique flavors like lemon. Using these different flavored bars can bring a fun twist to the classic dessert. For example:
- Mint KitKat Version: Combine a chocolate mint cake with mint-flavored KitKats for a refreshing dessert.
- White Chocolate Version: Pair a vanilla or lemon cake with white chocolate KitKats for a lighter version of this classic.
Cake Flavors
Don’t limit yourself to just chocolate. A KitKat-inspired cake can be made with almost any flavor base:
- Red Velvet Cake: A red velvet cake surrounded by white chocolate KitKats is a stunning dessert.
- Lemon Cake: For a fresh and tangy take, try a lemon-flavored cake with white chocolate
Frosting Options
Experiment with different frosting flavors to complement your cake:
- Peanut Butter Frosting: A great pairing for chocolate lovers.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Works well with red velvet or carrot cakes.
Tips for Presentation
Creating a beautiful cake is all about attention to detail. Here are some tips to ensure your creation not only tastes amazing but also looks professional.
1. Symmetry is Key
Make sure to line up the KitKat bars evenly around the cake. This creates a neat and clean look that will impress your guests.
2. Secure the Bars with a Ribbon
Adding a decorative ribbon not only helps secure the KitKat bars but also adds a finishing touch to the cake’s presentation. Choose a ribbon that matches the color scheme of your event for a cohesive look.
3. Mix Up the Toppings
While M&Ms are the most common topping, feel free to get creative. Use colorful candies, chopped nuts, or even edible flowers to create a unique design on top of your cake.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about KitKat Cakes:
1. What size cake pan should I use for a KitKat Cake?
A standard 8- or 9-inch round cake pan works best for a KitKat Cake. This size allows for enough surface area to add plenty of KitKat bars around the cake.
2. Can I use different flavors of KitKats for the cake?
Absolutely! You can use any flavor of KitKat that you prefer. Mint, white chocolate, and dark chocolate are popular options for adding a twist to the traditional cake.
3. How do I prevent the KitKat bars from falling off the cake?
Make sure your frosting is thick enough to hold the KitKat bars in place. You can also secure them with a decorative ribbon around the cake.
4. Can I make a KitKat Cake without frosting?
Frosting is essential to helping the KitKat bars stick to the sides of the cake. Without it, the bars won’t stay in place.
5. How far in advance can I make a KitKat Cake?
You can make the cake up to a day in advance. Just be sure to store it in the refrigerator to keep the frosting and KitKat bars intact.
6. What are the best toppings for a KitKat Cake?
The most popular toppings are M&Ms, but you can also use Skittles, chocolate chips, gummy bears, or even fresh fruit like strawberries and raspberries.
Conclusion
The KitKat Cake has become a popular choice for birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations due to its simple assembly, eye-catching design, and the irresistible combination of cake, frosting, and KitKat bars. Its versatility allows you to customize it for any occasion, and with the endless flavor and decoration possibilities, you’ll never run out of ideas to make your KitKat Cake truly special.
So why not give this cake a try for your next celebration? With its stunning presentation and delicious taste, the KitKat Cake is sure to impress your guests and become a favorite dessert at any event.