Vibranium Majesty Black Panther Cake
Transport yourself to the majestic world of Wakanda with this enchanting Black Panther cake—a rich, velvety dessert embodying the power and elegance of T'Challa's iconic suit. Crafted with layers of regal purple cake and enveloped in a midnight black buttercream, this cake is adorned with intricate fondant detailing inspired by the legendary Black Panther. Perfect for fans and celebrations, indulge in a slice of this Wakandan masterpiece and proclaim 'Wakanda Forever!' while savoring every bite.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
1 cup (room temperature)
granulated sugar
2 cups
eggs
4 large
pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons
cake flour
3 cups
baking powder
1 tablespoon
salt
1/2 teaspoon
whole milk
1 1/4 cups
purple gel food coloring
As needed
unsalted butter
2 cups (room temperature)
icing sugar
3 cups (sifted)
black cocoa powder
1 cup
pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons
whole milk
2-3 tablespoons (as needed)
black gel food coloring
3 tablespoons (or more)
white fondant
As needed
purple fondant
As needed
black fondant
As needed
silver glitter cardstock
As needed (for decoration)
tape
As needed (for decoration)
wooden bbq skewers
As needed (cut to size for decoration)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare three 8 x 2 inch round cake pans by spraying with vegetable oil and lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
2
In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar on high speed for two minutes until fluffy.
3
Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
5
With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three separate additions, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the flour mixture and mix until a smooth batter forms.
6
Add purple gel food coloring to the batter, folding gently until the desired shade is reached.
7
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake for 22-25 minutes. Use a toothpick to check for doneness. Once done, cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
8
For the buttercream, beat butter on high speed until creamy in a clean mixer bowl. Gradually add sifted icing sugar, black cocoa powder, and vanilla extract.
9
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and mix on low speed until combined. Add the black gel food coloring and mix until incorporated. Beat on high speed until smooth and airy, adding milk and more coloring as needed. Let the buttercream sit overnight to deepen in color.
10
Level the cooled cake layers if necessary. Place a small amount of buttercream on a cake board, then place the first cake layer on top.
11
Spread a generous layer of buttercream with an offset spatula, then add the second cake layer and repeat. Place the third layer on top.
12
Frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream, smoothing the sides and top.
13
Chill the cake in the refrigerator or freezer while preparing fondant decorations.
14
Prepare the fondant elements. Use white fondant for detailing, purple fondant for the eyes, and black fondant for the ears. Cut shapes with cookie cutters or a sharp knife.
15
Remove chilled cake, and carefully place fondant pieces on the cake, adjusting as necessary before pressing them gently into the buttercream.
16
Fill a piping bag fitted with a large grass tip with buttercream. Pipe around the fondant details and cover the cake entirely.
17
Carefully attach the black fondant ears on top, using skewers for support.
18
Create T'Challa's necklace using silver glitter cardstock. Cut out five triangle pieces and attach to skewers. Insert around the cake perimeter.
19
Finish with a WAKANDA FOREVER banner using alphabet stamps or stickers.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vibranium Majesty Black Panther Cake?
It is a rich, velvety dessert featuring purple cake layers and black buttercream, inspired by T'Challa's iconic suit from Wakanda.
How do I achieve the purple color inside the cake?
Add purple gel food coloring to the batter and fold gently until you reach your desired shade of purple.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) before baking the cake layers.
How many cake pans are needed for this recipe?
You will need three 8 x 2 inch round cake pans to divide the batter evenly.
How long should the cake layers bake?
The cake layers should be baked for 22 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
How do I prevent the cakes from sticking to the pans?
Spray the pans with vegetable oil and line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.
Why is cake flour used instead of all-purpose flour?
Cake flour has a lower protein content, which results in a lighter and more tender crumb for the cake.
What is black cocoa powder?
Black cocoa powder is highly alkalized, giving the buttercream a very dark color and a unique, deep chocolate flavor.
How do I get the buttercream to be a deep midnight black?
Combine black cocoa powder with black gel food coloring and let the frosting sit overnight to deepen in color.
Why does the buttercream need to sit overnight?
Allowing the buttercream to rest overnight gives the black pigments time to fully develop and darken.
How many servings does this cake yield?
This recipe is designed to provide approximately 8 servings.
What are the fondant ears made of?
The ears are shaped using black fondant and cut with a sharp knife or cookie cutter.
How do I support the fondant ears on the cake?
Use wooden BBQ skewers to provide internal support so the ears stand upright on the top of the cake.
How is T'Challa's necklace created for the cake?
Cut five triangle pieces from silver glitter cardstock and attach them to skewers to insert around the cake.
Is the silver glitter cardstock edible?
No, the cardstock, tape, and skewers are decorative elements and must be removed before serving the cake.
What kind of piping tip is used for the textured frosting?
A large grass tip is used to pipe buttercream around the fondant details for a unique textured finish.
What color fondant is needed for the eyes?
Purple fondant is used to create the eyes of the Black Panther design.
How do I assemble the cake layers?
Stack the three cake layers with a generous amount of buttercream spread between each layer.
What should I do if my cake layers are domed on top?
Level the cooled cake layers with a serrated knife if necessary to ensure a flat, stable stack.
How do I apply the fondant decorations to the frosting?
Chill the cake first, then carefully press the fondant pieces into the cold buttercream.
What is the purpose of the 'Wakanda Forever' banner?
It serves as the finishing touch to the theme, created using alphabet stamps or stickers.
Can I make the cake layers ahead of time?
Yes, once cooled completely, you can wrap the layers and store them until you are ready to frost.
What speed should I cream the butter and sugar?
Beat the butter and sugar on high speed for two minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
How do I add eggs to the batter?
With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
What type of milk should be used in the batter?
Whole milk is used in the batter to provide moisture and richness to the cake.
Is a stand mixer required for this recipe?
A stand mixer with a paddle attachment is recommended, but a hand mixer can be used with more effort.
What temperature should the butter be for the frosting?
The butter should be at room temperature to ensure it creams smoothly with the icing sugar.
Should the icing sugar be sifted?
Yes, sifting the icing sugar prevents lumps and ensures the buttercream is perfectly smooth.
How do I adjust the consistency of the buttercream?
Add milk one tablespoon at a time and beat on high speed until the frosting is smooth and airy.
What is the total preparation time for the buttercream?
The mixing is quick, but you must account for it sitting overnight to achieve the best color results.