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Butterfly Cake

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Butterfly Cake
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  • Prep 40 min
  • Total 3 hr 35 min
  • Servings 8
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Make this pretty butterfly cake to celebrate spring, summer, a birthday or any day!
Updated Mar 6, 2023

Ingredients

Cake

Frosting and Decorations

Steps

  • 1
    Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease or spray bottoms and sides of two 8- or 9-inch round pans. Make, bake and cool cake as directed on box for 8- or 9-inch rounds. Wrap and freeze 1 layer for later use. Freeze remaining layer 45 minutes before cutting to reduce crumbs.
  • 2
    Cut off rounded top of cake to make flat surface; place cake cut side down. Cut cake in half crosswise; cut each half into 1/3 and 2/3 pieces. (See link below for diagram and template.) Place cake pieces on platter to form butterfly. Gently separate cake pieces to form wings.
  • 3
    Reserve 1/2 cup frosting; set aside. Spread top and sides of cake with thin layer of frosting to seal in crumbs. Refrigerate or freeze 30 to 60 minutes to set frosting. Frost cake with remaining frosting. Place candy stick between cake pieces for butterfly body.
  • 4
    Stir food color into reserved frosting until well blended. Spread over cake in desired pattern on wings. Outline wing patterns with gel. Sprinkle with sugar crystals. Place jelly beans on corners of wings. Decorate butterfly with candy decorations. Store loosely covered.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    For more color options for decorating wings, divide reserved 1/2 cup frosting between small bowls and tint each to desired color. Spread over cake in desired pattern on wings.
  • tip 2
    Get a party menu, prep guide, tips, party games, activities and more for a Butterfly Birthday Party!
  • tip 3
    Create an attractive display by covering a piece of sturdy cardboard with wrapping paper, then plastic food wrap. Stretch and secure with tape. Or cover cardboard with foil or cooking parchment paper.
  • tip 4
    Turn the leftover cake layer into a trifle! Cut leftover cake into 1-inch cubes, and layer them with chocolate pudding and fresh strawberries in a large glass bowl. Top with whipped cream.

Nutrition

400 Calories, 17g Total Fat, 1g Protein, 60g Total Carbohydrate, 43g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving (Cake and Frosting Only)
Calories
400
Calories from Fat
150
Total Fat
17g
26%
Saturated Fat
3 1/2g
18%
Trans Fat
3 1/2g
Cholesterol
40mg
13%
Sodium
320mg
13%
Potassium
50mg
1%
Total Carbohydrate
60g
20%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
43g
Protein
1g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
0%
0%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
6%
6%
Iron
4%
4%
Exchanges:
1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 3 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 3 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
4
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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