Description
Indulge in a personal-sized treat with this simple bento cake recipe! Perfect for busy weeknights or small celebrations, this mini delight is easy to make and endlessly customizable. Learn how to create a delicious and beautifully decorated bento cake in minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 6-inch round cake pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in vanilla extract. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with milk, and mix until just combined.
- Bake the Cake: Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until well combined. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Stir in vanilla extract. Divide and add food coloring for decoration, if desired.
- Frost and Decorate: Place a dollop of frosting on serving plate or bento box container to secure the cake. Spread a thin layer of frosting over the top and sides of the cake to create a crumb coat. Then, add a thicker layer of frosting and smooth it out. Use piping bags and tips to add decorative elements.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter; mix until just combined to avoid a tough cake.
- Ensure the cake is completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- A crumb coat helps trap crumbs and provides a smooth base for the final frosting layer.
- Get creative with decorations to personalize your bento cake.
- Practice makes perfect – don’t be discouraged by initial attempts.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Korean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake
- Calories: 850 Kcal
- Sugar: 75g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 28g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 110g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: bento cake, mini cake, lunchbox cake, simple bento cake, easy bento cake, bento box dessert recipe, single-serving cake, Korean cake, quick cake recipe