How To Make a Gravity Cake
This spectacular cake is sure to impress.
Ryan Liebe
This cake looks just like magic: It’s topped with a levitating bottle of potion! To create it, we rigged a small plastic bottle to a straw, then covered everything with candy melts and edible gold dust. Make sure you use a lightweight bottle—remember, no one is holding it!
Ingredients:
- 2 9-inch round cakes
- 5 cups black chocolate frosting
- 1 1/2 teaspoons edible gold dust
- 1 1/2 cups white candy melts
- 2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
- 1 to 5 teaspoons vodka or clear extract
Special Tools:
- Short wooden skewer
- Bubble tea straw
- 50-ml plastic bottle
- Squeeze bottle
- Small brush
Assembling the Cake:
Ryan Liebe
Trim the top of each cake to make it level. Cut the cakes in half horizontally to make 4 layers. Place 1 layer on a platter; spread about 1/2 cup frosting on top. Repeat with 2 more cake layers and frosting, then top with the final cake layer. Spread a thin layer of frosting on the top and sides of the cake (this is the crumb coat) and refrigerate 30 minutes, then cover the cake with the remaining frosting.
Ryan Liebe
Stick the skewer into the top of the straw at a 45-degree angle, then stick the straw into the cake, slightly off center. (Alternatively, you can use a bent metal straw and skip the skewer.)
Ryan Liebe
Spoon 1/2 teaspoon gold dust into the plastic bottle; cover and shake to make the bottle gold. Slide the bottle onto the skewer, trimming the skewer as needed.
Combine the candy melts and vegetable shortening in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 10-second intervals, stirring, until melted and smooth. Pour into a squeeze bottle (or use a freezer-grade resealable plastic bag). Squeeze some of the melted candy down the length of the straw, then squeeze in pools onto the top of the cake, around the straw. Let the candy harden, then add more layers so it looks like the candy is forming puddles and ripples. Refrigerate the cake until the candy is fully set, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine 1 teaspoon vodka with the remaining 1 teaspoon gold dust; add more vodka, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, to thin as needed. Using a small brush, paint the gold mixture over the hardened candy melts.
For more decorating inspiration, read our guides to making garland cakes and bubble cakes.
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