How to Make an Igloo Cake

Food Network Magazine's wintry igloo cake, created by Last Cake Standing contestant, Mary Maher.
Save Collection
From: Food Network Magazine
Related To:
Cake Dessert Winter How To

Photo By: Levi Brown

Photo By: Levi Brown

Photo By: Levi Brown

Photo By: Levi Brown

Photo By: Levi Brown

Photo By: Levi Brown

Photo By: Levi Brown

Photo By: Levi Brown

Photo By: Levi Brown

Photo By: Levi Brown

Piece of Cake!

It looks intricate, but this snowy igloo cake is much easier than it looks. It requires no special equipment, and you can make it in two hours flat!

Get the Recipe: Igloo Cake

Butter and flour an 8 inch round cake pan and a 1.5 quart ovenproof bowl. Make the cake batter, and divide it between the pan and the bowl. Bake at 350 degrees until a toothpick comes out clean, about 35 minutes for the pan, 40 to 45 minutes for the bowl. Let cool, then unmold the cakes onto a rack.

Microwave the white chocolate at 50 percent power in 15 second intervals, stirring, until melted, about 2 minutes. Pour onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and spread to 1/4 inch thick with an offset spatula. Sprinkle with the sanding sugar. Chill until set, about 10 minutes.

Remove the chocolate from the refrigerator. Break most of it into rough 1/2 to 1 inch pieces to form the ice that covers the igloo.

Use a paring knife to cut a few even 1/2 inch tiles from the remaining chocolate (these are for the tunnel entrance).

Assemble the igloo: Mix 2 1/2 cups frosting with the blue food coloring. Spread some blue frosting on the flat cake, then cover with the bowl shaped cake.

Spread some frosting on the cake where you want the tunnel to go, then attach a doughnut half, cut side down. Attach the other half with frosting to extend the tunnel.

Cover the entire cake with a thin layer of blue frosting (this is called a crumb coat, which is like a primer. It doesn’t have to be perfect). Chill, uncovered, until the frosting sets, about 15 minutes.

Spread the remaining blue frosting evenly over the cake and doughnuts. Arrange the white chocolate pieces on the igloo in a mosaic pattern. Place the even white chocolate tiles around the tunnel entrance.

For the trees, mix 3/4 cup vanilla frosting with the green food coloring. Spread on the cones, flicking the frosting with the tip of an offset spatula to form branches. Arrange the trees around the igloo and dust with confectioners’ sugar.

More from:

Fun Family Weekends

Next Up

How to Make Spaghetti-and-Meatball Cake 7 Photos

Winter Pantry-Raid Recipes 6 Photos

How to Make a Giant S'more Cake 10 Photos

How to Make a Cereal-Bowl Cake 10 Photos

How to Make Incredibly Cute Eclair Bears 8 Photos

Piece of Cake! Food Network Magazine's Wacky and Creative Cakes 30 Photos

Relax, It's Just a Chili Party 8 Photos

Amazing 3-Ingredient Banana Treats 6 Photos

Baked Pasta Dishes 3 Photos

Hole in One! 12 Egg-in-a-Hole Ideas 12 Photos

We Recommend

Editors' Picks: Food Network Magazine Recipes 10 Photos

Food Network Magazine's Banana Recipe Contest Winner

Food Network Magazine: November 2012 Recipe Index

Piece of Cake! Food Network Magazine's Wacky and Creative Cakes 30 Photos

Food Network Magazine: November 2014 Recipe Index

The 8 Recipes Food Network Magazine Editors Really Want You to Make