Pisces-Themed Galaxy Cake (Print version)

Celestial cake with blue and purple swirls, glitter accents, and moist vanilla sponge layers.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vanilla Sponge

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
05 - 2 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature

→ Galaxy Buttercream

09 - 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
10 - 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 1/4 cup whole milk
12 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
13 - Gel food coloring: navy blue, purple, black, teal
14 - Edible glitter in silver, blue, or iridescent

→ Decoration

15 - White fondant, optional for Pisces symbols or stars
16 - Silver star sprinkles, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
06 - Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
07 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla; beat until smooth and fluffy.
09 - Divide buttercream into four bowls. Tint each with different galaxy colors: navy blue, purple, teal, and black.
10 - Place alternating spoonfuls of each colored buttercream onto the cake layers and sides. Use an offset spatula to swirl gently for a galaxy effect.
11 - Sprinkle edible glitter generously over the cake. Add fondant Pisces symbols or stars if desired.
12 - Chill for 30 minutes before slicing to set the design.

# Tips from the pros:

01 -
  • It looks like you hired a professional baker, but it's honestly just swirled buttercream and some sparkle.
  • The vanilla sponge is impossibly moist and stays soft for days, making it perfect for actually eating, not just admiring.
  • You can customize the colors for any zodiac sign or mood, which means you'll probably make it again before next month.
02 -
  • Don't use food coloring that says liquid—it makes your buttercream break and weep, which is sad and looks like your cake is crying.
  • Your cake layers must be completely cool before you frost them or you'll end up with a leaning tower that eventually collapses and ruins your day.
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are the difference between a silky buttercream and a grainy, broken mess—take the extra ten minutes to let everything warm up.
  • An offset spatula is your best friend for swirling; those flat, angled ones work so much better than a regular straight spatula for creating those dreamy galaxy effects.
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