Save This Rat Cake Birthday Sheet Bake is a whimsically themed sheet cake designed to delight at birthdays, featuring moist vanilla sponge, creamy buttercream frosting, and playful decorative elements inspired by the world of mischievous mice.
I first created this cake for my nephew's birthday party after he declared his love for tiny mice. The joy on his face seeing the edible rat decorations made this fun baking project a cherished family memory.
Ingredients
- Cake: 2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter (room temperature), 1 3/4 cups (350 g) granulated sugar, 4 large eggs (room temperature), 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract, 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- Buttercream Frosting: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter (room temperature), 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar (sifted), 2 3 tbsp whole milk, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, pinch of salt, food coloring (gray, pink, and black gel or liquid)
- Decorations: candy eyes or mini chocolate chips, pink candy melts or fondant (for ears and noses), licorice laces or black fondant (for tails and whiskers), edible glitter or sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) sheet cake pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the dry ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 4 minutes).
- Combine wet ingredients:
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Combine batter:
- Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
- Bake the cake:
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the surface. Bake for 28 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake:
- Cool cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make frosting:
- Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low. Add milk, vanilla, and salt; beat until fluffy. Divide frosting into portions and tint gray, pink, and black as desired.
- Decorate:
- Spread a smooth layer of gray buttercream over the cooled cake. Use piping bags fitted with round tips to pipe small "rat" shapes on top of the cake using gray frosting. Add pink frosting for ears and noses, and black frosting for eyes or use candy eyes. Add licorice laces for tails and whiskers.
- Add final touches:
- Decorate with edible glitter or sprinkles if desired. Slice and serve for a memorable birthday treat.
Save This cake has become a birthday tradition in our house. The laughter from kids as they help add rat tails and noses makes every bake a shared experience.
Required Tools
9x13-inch (23x33 cm) sheet cake pan, electric mixer, mixing bowls, offset spatula, piping bags and tips, wire rack, parchment paper
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy (milk, butter). Decorations may contain soy or other allergens; check labels. Not suitable for those with nut allergies unless all ingredients are verified nut-free.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories: 465, Total Fat: 22 g, Carbohydrates: 64 g, Protein: 4 g
Save Make birthdays unforgettable with this whimsical cake. Every slice brings fun, flavor, and a touch of mischief.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I achieve moist cake texture?
Use room temperature butter and eggs, avoid overmixing, and follow ingredient measurements closely for the softest crumb.
- → Can I substitute chocolate cake base?
Yes, swap the vanilla sponge with a chocolate cake mix or homemade batter for a rich flavor variation.
- → What tools are needed for decorations?
Piping bags, offset spatula, and various tips help create detailed shapes and artistic accents on the cake surface.
- → How do I tint frosting for decorations?
Divide frosting into portions and stir in gel or liquid food coloring for gray, pink, and black shades before piping.
- → How long can leftovers be stored?
Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain freshness.
- → Are there nut-free decorating options?
Use verified nut-free candy, fondant, and check ingredient labels to ensure inclusivity for allergies.