Pisces-Themed Galaxy Cake (View Print Version)

Celestial layers of blue and purple swirled buttercream with shimmering glitter atop moist vanilla sponge cake.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vanilla Sponge

01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ 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 - 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
10 - 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - ¼ 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

# Method:

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 3-4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
06 - Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
07 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto 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 cake layers and sides. Use offset spatula to swirl gently for galaxy effect.
11 - Sprinkle edible glitter generously over cake. Add fondant Pisces symbols or stars if desired.
12 - Chill for 30 minutes before slicing to set the design.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours decorating when honestly, the swirling is half the fun and half accident.
  • The vanilla sponge stays impossibly moist and actually tastes like something real, not like you're biting into fondant.
  • Everyone asks where you got it, and then you get to tell them you made it, which never gets old.
02 -
  • Using liquid food coloring instead of gel sounds easier but thins your buttercream into something too soft to swirl beautifully, so resist the temptation.
  • Edible glitter brushed with a tiny bit of clear vodka before it goes on the cake catches light in a completely different way—it's subtle but transforms everything.
03 -
  • Keep your offset spatula slightly warm and use gentle motions when swirling; this keeps the buttercream from tearing and lets the colors blend naturally.
  • The secret to buttercream that swirls smoothly without looking chalky is using milk instead of just powdered sugar—it creates the perfect consistency for galaxy effects.
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