Riverdale Milkshake Celebration Cake
Dive into the nostalgic charm of Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe with this delectable Riverdale Milkshake Celebration Cake. This layered dessert features rich malt Neapolitan cake—comprising chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla layers—each enhanced with malt drink powder for that authentic milkshake flavor. Frosted with a creamy malt buttercream and adorned with playful candy decorations, this cake captures the vibrant yet mysterious essence of Riverdale. Perfect for birthday parties or gatherings, this cake serves a crowd and is sure to be the highlight of any event, reminiscent of the sweet adventures shared amongst friends.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
as needed (for greasing pans)
French vanilla cake mix
1 (15 1/4 ounce) box (plus necessary ingredients)
Strawberry cake mix
1 (15 1/4 ounce) box (plus necessary ingredients)
Chocolate cake mix
1 (15 1/4 ounce) box (plus necessary ingredients)
Malt drink powder
6 tablespoons (add to cake batters)
Strawberry extract
1 teaspoon (add to strawberry batter)
Red candy melts
as needed (melted for decoration)
White candy melts
as needed (melted for decoration)
Black candy melts
as needed (melted for decoration)
Yellow candy melts
as needed (melted for decoration)
Orange candy melts
as needed (melted for decoration)
Orange sanding sugar
3 tablespoons (for decorating)
Cornstarch
as needed (for dusting surfaces)
Red fondant
as needed (for letter decorations)
White fondant
as needed (for letter decorations)
Unsalted butter
4 cups (at room temperature)
Malt drink powder
1/4 cup (for buttercream)
Salt
2 teaspoons (for buttercream)
Vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (for buttercream)
Confectioners' sugar
16 cups (for buttercream)
Whole milk
3/4 cup (for buttercream)
Turquoise gel food coloring
1/2 teaspoon (for buttercream)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line three 9-inch square baking pans with parchment paper, then spray them with nonstick cooking spray for easy removal.
2
Prepare the cake batters according to the instructions on the boxes, adding 2 tablespoons of malt drink powder to each batter. For the strawberry batter, also mix in 1 teaspoon of strawberry extract to enhance its flavor.
3
Divide the batters evenly among the prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cakes to cool completely on wire racks.
4
Once cooled, level the tops of the cakes to ensure they stack evenly. Place the trimmed layers in the refrigerator while preparing the malt buttercream and candy decorations.
5
In a stand mixer, beat the room-temperature unsalted butter until it becomes fluffy. Gradually add ½ cup of confectioners' sugar, malt drink powder, and salt, mixing until well combined. Slowly add the remaining confectioners' sugar, followed by the milk, vanilla extract, and turquoise gel food coloring, mixing until the buttercream is smooth and spreadable. Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag.
6
Create the decorations: For the sign, pipe an outline of a large arrow using red candy melts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let it set. Fill the arrow with melted black candy melts and allow it to harden. Pipe a white rectangle, flip it over, and attach the filled arrow with additional melted candy. Attach a skewer or lollipop stick to the back of the rectangle with candy melts for stability.
7
For the moon decoration, pipe a large half-moon using yellow candy melts and place 4 large wooden popsicle sticks on top. Cover with additional yellow melts, smooth out, then flip it over and design black candy melt leaves on the flat side.
8
Using red and orange candy melts, create three rectangular 'windows' on parchment, covering them in sanding sugar before adding black candy melt 'hoods' for detail.
9
On a cornstarch-dusted surface, roll out red fondant to cut out the letters 'D,' 'I,' and 'E.' Roll out white fondant for 'N' and 'R.' Set these aside.
10
Assemble the cake by placing the chocolate layer on a cake board. Spread a layer of buttercream, followed by the strawberry layer, another layer of frosting, and finally the vanilla layer. Apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream all over the cake and freeze for 15 minutes.
11
Frost the whole cake with the remaining buttercream, smoothing it out nicely. Position the fondant letters spelling 'DINER' on the top center of the cake.
12
Create side paneling details by gently pressing in a skewer along the sides of the cake.
13
Attach your candy decoration windows and door underneath the 'DINER' letters. Finish by piping red candy melts in drips along the sides and spreading red candy melts over the top. Finally, insert the moon and arrow sign decoratively into the cake's center.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the theme of the Riverdale Milkshake Celebration Cake?
The cake is inspired by the nostalgic charm of Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe from the Riverdale series, featuring a milkshake-flavored Neapolitan base.
What flavors are included in the cake layers?
The cake features three distinct layers: chocolate, strawberry, and French vanilla.
How is the 'milkshake' flavor achieved in the recipe?
The authentic milkshake flavor is created by adding malt drink powder to both the cake batters and the buttercream frosting.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What size baking pans are required for this cake?
You will need three 9-inch square baking pans.
How long should the cake layers bake?
The cakes should bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
What should I do to the cake layers after they cool?
Once cooled, you should level the tops of the cakes to ensure they stack evenly before refrigerating them.
What additional ingredient is used to enhance the strawberry layer?
In addition to the malt powder, one teaspoon of strawberry extract is added to the strawberry batter.
How do you prepare the baking pans to prevent sticking?
Line the pans with parchment paper and spray them with nonstick cooking spray.
What color is the malt buttercream frosting?
The buttercream is colored with turquoise gel food coloring.
How much butter is required for the frosting?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of unsalted butter at room temperature.
What is the total amount of confectioners' sugar used in the buttercream?
The buttercream requires 16 cups of confectioners' sugar.
How is the 'DINER' sign created for the top of the cake?
The letters are cut out of fondant: red fondant for 'D,' 'I,' and 'E,' and white fondant for 'N' and 'R.'
What materials are used to make the large arrow sign decoration?
The arrow sign is made using red and black candy melts, a white candy melt rectangle, and a skewer or lollipop stick for stability.
How is the moon decoration constructed?
It is made by piping yellow candy melts into a half-moon shape, reinforced with four wooden popsicle sticks.
What are the side 'windows' made from?
They are created using red and orange candy melts, orange sanding sugar, and black candy melt 'hoods'.
What is the order of stacking the cake layers?
Place the chocolate layer on the bottom, followed by the strawberry layer, and finally the vanilla layer on top.
Is a crumb coat necessary for this recipe?
Yes, apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream and freeze the cake for 15 minutes before applying the final layer of frosting.
How do you create the paneling details on the sides of the cake?
Gently press a skewer into the frosting along the sides of the cake to create a paneled effect.
What type of milk is used in the frosting?
The recipe specifies 3/4 cup of whole milk for the buttercream.
What is the purpose of cornstarch in this recipe?
Cornstarch is used for dusting the surface when rolling out the red and white fondant.
How are the red 'drips' on the side of the cake made?
They are created by piping melted red candy melts along the edges so they drip down the sides.
How much malt powder goes into each cake batter layer?
Two tablespoons of malt drink powder should be added to each of the three cake batters.
What kind of cake mixes are used in the ingredients?
The recipe uses 15 1/4 ounce boxes of French vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate cake mixes.
How is the 'hood' of the window decorations made?
The hoods are piped using black candy melts over the rectangular window pieces.
Where should the fondant 'DINER' letters be placed?
The letters should be positioned in the top center of the cake.
Does the buttercream contain salt?
Yes, the buttercream includes 2 teaspoons of salt.
How much vanilla extract is in the frosting?
The frosting uses 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
What is the final step in decorating the cake?
The final step is inserting the moon and arrow sign decorations into the center of the cake.
What type of food coloring is best for the frosting?
The recipe recommends using turquoise gel food coloring for a vibrant color and smooth consistency.