As the countdown to midnight begins, what better way to celebrate New Year’s Eve than with a stunning *clock cake*? This festive dessert not only serves as a delicious centerpiece for your celebration but also brings a little extra charm and whimsy to your festivities. Imagine the joy on your friends’ faces when they see this beautiful cake, adorned with edible sprinkles and fondant, reflecting the excitement of the new year ahead! The clock cake is not just a treat for the taste buds; it’s an experience that brings everyone together, making memories as you toast to fresh starts and new adventures. Trust me, you’ll want to make this cake the star of your New Year’s Eve party!
Ingredients for Clock Cake New Year’s Eve
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fondant for decoration (choose white or color it as you like)
- Edible silver and gold sprinkles for that festive flair
Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature for the best results. This will help the cake rise beautifully and create that perfect fluffy texture. Trust me, using good quality ingredients really makes a difference in the overall flavor!
How to Prepare Clock Cake New Year’s Eve
Prepping the Oven and Pans
First things first, let’s get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for a perfectly baked cake, so don’t skip this step! While that’s heating up, grab your two 9-inch round cake pans and give them a good greasing with unsalted butter. Then, dust a little flour inside each pan to ensure your cakes release easily once they’re baked. Just tap out any excess flour, and you’re ready to go!
Making the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Whisk them together until they’re nicely blended—this helps to ensure your cake rises evenly. Now, in another bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This step is key! You want it to look pale and airy. Then, add in the 4 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Don’t forget to pour in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for that lovely flavor boost. Next, gradually mix in the dry ingredients, alternating with 1 cup of milk. I like to start and end with the dry ingredients to keep it all nice and smooth!
Baking the Cake
Once your batter is ready, pour it evenly into the prepared pans. Slide them into the oven and let them bake for about 25-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean—no gooey batter attached! Once baked, take them out and let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is super important, so don’t rush it!
Assembling and Decorating the Cake
Once your cakes are completely cool, it’s time to level them off with a serrated knife if they have domed tops—this will help them stack better. Now, stack the two layers on top of each other, using a little buttercream if you like to hold them together. Next, cover the entire cake with your fondant. This part is where the fun begins! You can roll out the fondant and drape it over, smoothing it down to eliminate any air bubbles. Now, for the clock face, use edible silver and gold sprinkles to create the numbers and clock hands. Be as creative as you want—this cake is all about celebrating the new year in style!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a show-stopping centerpiece that brings festive cheer to your New Year’s Eve celebration.
- Easy to follow steps make this cake a breeze to prepare, even for beginner bakers.
- The combination of fluffy cake and sweet fondant creates a delightful flavor and texture.
- With the fun clock design, it’s perfect for sparking conversations and excitement at your party!
- Customize the colors and decorations to match your party theme for a personal touch.
- It feeds a crowd, ensuring everyone gets a slice of this delicious festive treat!
- Leftovers (if there are any!) can be stored easily, allowing you to enjoy the cake beyond the celebration.
Tips for Success
To make sure your *clock cake* turns out perfectly, here are some of my favorite pro tips that I’ve learned through my own baking adventures!
- Room temperature ingredients: Always use eggs and butter at room temperature. This helps them blend more easily and creates a smoother batter, resulting in a lighter cake!
- Don’t overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake, and we want it to be fluffy and light!
- Check your oven temperature: Ovens can vary, so use an oven thermometer to ensure yours is at the right temperature. This will help your cake bake evenly.
- Cool completely: Make sure your cakes are completely cool before you level and decorate. This prevents the fondant from melting and helps it adhere better!
- Use cornstarch on your surfaces: When rolling out fondant, dust your work surface with a little cornstarch instead of flour. It keeps the fondant from sticking and maintains its lovely texture.
- Be creative with decorations: Don’t hesitate to get creative with the clock design! Use different colors or shapes for the sprinkles, and even add edible glitter for that extra sparkle.
- Practice patience: If you’re new to working with fondant, take your time! It’s okay to watch a few tutorials beforehand to get comfortable with the techniques.
With these tips in your back pocket, you’re all set to create a show-stopping clock cake that will impress your guests and make your New Year’s Eve celebration unforgettable!
Nutritional Information
Now, let’s talk numbers! Here are the typical nutritional values for a slice of this delightful *clock cake*. Keep in mind these are estimates based on standard ingredients used, so your actual values may vary a bit depending on what you choose.
- Calories: 350
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 50g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 25g
- Protein: 4g
So there you have it! This cake is rich and sweet, perfect for celebrating the new year, but also something to enjoy in moderation. Don’t forget, you can always tweak the recipe a bit to suit your dietary needs or preferences. Happy baking!
FAQ Section
Got questions about making this fabulous *clock cake*? No worries! Here are some of the most common ones I get, along with my friendly answers to help you out.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the cakes a day in advance. Just cool them completely, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and store them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to decorate, just bring them back to room temperature before leveling and frosting!
How should I store leftovers?
If you have any cake left after your celebration (lucky you!), store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Just make sure to keep it covered so it doesn’t dry out!
What if I don’t have fondant?
No fondant? No problem! You can use whipped cream or buttercream frosting to cover the cake instead. Just remember that the clock design might not hold up as well, but it’ll still be delicious!
Can I use a different cake flavor?
Of course! Feel free to get creative with flavors. A chocolate or vanilla cake could work beautifully. Just keep the same measurements and baking times, and you’ll have a delightful twist on the classic clock cake!
How do I achieve a smooth finish with fondant?
To get that gorgeous, smooth finish, make sure your buttercream layer underneath is nice and even. Use a bench scraper or a spatula to smooth it out. When you drape the fondant over, start from the top and work your way down, smoothing as you go. If you get any air bubbles, just gently poke them with a pin and smooth it out!
Can I freeze the clock cake?
Yes, you can! Just make sure the cake is completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and then in aluminum foil. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to serve, let it thaw overnight in the fridge before decorating or serving.
What’s the best way to slice the cake?
To get clean slices, use a sharp knife and dip it in hot water before slicing. Wipe the knife clean between cuts to keep the edges neat. This way, each slice will look just as beautiful as the cake itself!
I hope these answers help you whip up a fantastic *clock cake* for your New Year’s Eve celebration! If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out. Happy baking!
Z nadrukami
Clock Cake New Year’s Eve: 7 Steps to Festive Delight
- Całkowity Czas: 1 hour
- Ustępować: 12 servings 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
A festive clock cake for New Year’s Eve celebration.
Składniki
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fondant for decoration
- Edible silver and gold sprinkles
Instrukcje
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Mix in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk.
- Pour batter into prepared pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool completely.
- Level the cakes and stack them.
- Cover the cake with fondant and decorate with edible sprinkles to resemble a clock.
Uwagi
- Use food coloring to tint the fondant if desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Make ahead of time and store in the refrigerator.
- Czas Przygotowania: 30 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 30 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 slice
- Kalorie: 350
- Cukier: 25g
- Sód: 180mg
- Kwasy: 15g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 9g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 4g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 50g
- Włókno: 1g
- Białko: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Słowa kluczowe: clock cake, New Year's Eve cake, festive cake
