Teddy Bear Cake

🧾 Ingredients

For the Cake (choose one):

Chocolate Cake:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 1 ¾ cups (350g) sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) hot water or coffee

OR Vanilla Cake:

• 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (225g) butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups (350g) sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) milk or buttermilk

For the Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened
• 5–6 cups (600–700g) powdered sugar
• 3–4 tbsp milk or cream
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring: brown, black, pink (or cocoa powder for natural brown)

Decorations:

• Mini cupcakes (for bear ears)
• Fondant (for eyes, nose, and mouth) — or pipe with frosting
• Pink buttercream for cheeks or bow
• Optional: chocolate buttons or wafers

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans (plus 2 mini cupcake molds for ears).
3. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl. Mix wet in another. Combine and stir until smooth.
4. Divide batter into pans and bake for 30–35 minutes (15–18 for mini cupcakes).
5. Cool completely before assembling.

2. Make the Frosting:

1. Beat butter until light and creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
3. Tint a large portion light brown for the fur (use cocoa or brown gel coloring).
4. Tint small amounts black (eyes/nose/mouth) and pink (cheeks/bow) if desired.

3. Assemble the Bear Face:

1. Level and stack the two round cakes with frosting between.
2. Attach the mini cupcakes at the top sides as ears using toothpicks or frosting.
3. Frost entire cake with light brown frosting using a small star tip or grass tip to pipe “fur” texture.
4. Pipe or place fondant eyes, nose, and mouth in a sweet bear face pattern.
5. Add rosy cheeks and a little bow if desired!

🧸 Optional Variations:

• Make a 3D teddy bear using a specialty pan or cake sculpting.
• Use chocolate ganache for a rich, smooth fur finish.
• Create mini teddy bear cupcakes using piping techniques for individual servings.

📦 Storage:

• Store in a cool place or fridge (covered) for up to 3–4 days.
• Bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.