Friday, October 28, 2011

Cauldron Cake





I'm wrapping up my Halloween series today with a fun cauldron cake.  This cauldron is made out of chocolate, filled with cake and whipped cream, and topped off with loads of candy and sparkles. It's great for any skill level, and it's sure to be a hit at any party!
I started out making my cauldron by dipping a balloon in chocolate.  I used the dark cocoa candy melts you can get at Michael's.  Once it set up I peeled the balloon out of the shell and started filling it up with the goods.  I layered cubes of vanilla cake with snickers whipped cream.  At this point you can make it as simple or gourmet as you want just by changing up the filling.  Once the cauldron was full I decorated it with lots of candy.  Luckily I found some gummy worms that were partially pink!  When I'm doing a project like this I find it's the details that really take it to fabulous so I decided to pipe some flames coming up from the base.  Filling my piping bag with half orange buttercream and half red gave my the effect I was going for.  I used tip # 79 for this which I explain further in the video.  To give the cauldron more detail, I sprinkled some gold disco dust on top and brushed it along the edges.  Brushing a little bit around the cauldron here and there gives it a bit of a worn look that really adds some character to the cake.  So in my world a worn look is sparkly, but at this point that shouldn't surprise you!  There are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating this cake so have fun with it.  This is also a really great project for kids, and you can even make them their own mini cauldron to fill and decorate any way they want.  I hope you all enjoy the video!




What you'll need


  • 2 bags dark cocoa candy melts
  • Balloons
  • Vanilla cake (I used a 6" round) cubed
  • Assorted candy - I used 10 mini snickers chopped up for the filling & gummy worms, candy corn, & gumballs for decoration.
  • Buttercream
  • Red and orange food coloring
  • Approx. 3 cups whipped cream
  • Gold disco dust
  • Pastry bag
  • Tip # 79
Assembly


  1. Blow up and wash balloon. Let dry completely.
  2. Microwave candy melts in 30 second increments till melted.  You don't want it piping hot, but it needs to be warm.
  3. Dip balloon in chocolate and set it on a parchment lined plate. The little bit of excess on the bottom will help form a nice base.
  4. Refrigerate 30-60 minutes till set.
  5. Make a small batch of buttercream. Color half orange & half red.
  6. Make whipped cream.  I used about 3 cups of heavy cream, sweetened it with a bit of powdered sugar, and added a teaspoon of vanilla extract.  At this point spoon about 1/3 of the whipped cream into a small bowl (this will remain plain for the topping).  Fold chopped up snickers into the larger amount of whipped cream.
  7. Pop the balloon & peel out of the chocolate shell.
  8. Start filling the cauldron by layering cubed vanilla cake topped with snickers whipped cream.  Repeat  this step, then top with vanilla cake.
  9. Dollop plain whipped cream on top.
  10. Decorate with gummy worms, candy corn, & gumballs.
  11. Fill one side of the piping bag with orange buttercream & the other side with red.  Pipe a ring of buttercream around the base of the cauldron.
  12. Using tip # 79 (u shaped tip) pipe flames all around the cauldron coming up from the base.
  13. Finish it off by dusting gold disco dust around the edges.

36 comments:

  1. Anonymous10/28/2011

    Oh how cool! I've seen the balloon technique on TV, I really am tempted to try!

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  2. I agree...this is totally cool! Plus it has Snickers in it and cake and buttercream. I'm in.

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  3. This is awesome! I really, really love this! You make it sound so easy, too!

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  4. What a cute cake!! And it looks delicious!!

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  5. My kids will be thrilled with this! I am thrilled with it too! So cute!

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  6. There is not enough that I can say about this wonderful post--
    very creative
    great project to get the kids involved
    awesome presentation
    excellent tutorial video
    tasty ingredients.
    There is no doubt that this post is going places all around the net, congrats in advance!

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  7. This is so cute!! So creative too! Such a great treat for the kids and to celebrate halloween!

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  8. Anonymous10/28/2011

    Omg, this is the most awesome thing ever! You are so creative and talented. That chocolate shell is impressive...and filled with so much good stuff! I absolutely love it.

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  9. This is incredible and such a perfect Halloween dessert. I loved the video. I bet this is so much fun to make and I love the sparkly chocolate cauldron!!

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  10. What a great idea!! I love these chocolate cups! Hubby and I tried making those probably 12 years ago when we were dating. It was fun to do in a college apartment!

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  11. That is so clever! I love the little frosting flames.

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  12. Great post and dare I say a potential candidate for the next Food Network Star?? Your a natural, awesome job. I would love to do a video someday,
    Take care...

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  13. Wow! How gorgeous is this. Love the gold disco dust and the flames. Hubble bubble, toil and trouble. This will totally be a hit at any Halloween party!

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  14. What an amazing culinary work of art!!!! You make it look soo simple! Too, pretty to eat! I see a Top 9!!! My husband and I watched your video, and we were speechless.

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  15. Wow what a great idea! You did an amazing job with this, so perfect for Halloween!

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  16. This is soooooo cool! And the colors are so vibrant!

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  17. Fun cake and so perfect for Halloween!

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  18. I would never thought of using balloons as a mould. You've given me something to mull over for future creations. And I love the flames and gold dust!

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  19. Meghan, you're a STAR! Watched the amazing tutorial video, step-by-step, you are a natural, on the video, and I'm amazed the wonders you did with a simple balloon, making it into a Couldron Cake.

    The kids, and adults alike, will adore this
    creation of yours.
    You are so super talented, and love what you are doing:DDD

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  20. Meghan! What a great, fun cake for Halloween. Though I can see it being tailored to so many special occasions! I love your videos...so many great tips in them. Fabulous idea!

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  21. Anonymous10/29/2011

    That is TERRIFIC! What a creative, FUN project!

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  22. Beautiful with great colors making the cake so attractive.

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  23. This is so much fun! Love the video, you're so natural in front of the camera!

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  24. This is so adorable! It would be a wonderful centerpiece for a party!

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  25. Oh my word - that is amazing. Have a brilliant Halloween!

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  26. How cool is this sweet treat !?! You are VERY talented!

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  27. Amazing. Thats all I got. I am SO impressed, and in love with this post.

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  28. What a cute and creative cake!!!

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  29. Great great idea!! and delicious :)

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  30. so cool! you never cease to totally impress me :)

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  31. WOW! That's all I can say! :)

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  32. I loved watching that video. You made it look SO easy. What a wonderful Halloween treat!!!

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  33. Yaaaaaay! Great cake :) Absolutely perfect for Halloweening and a great way to round out the series! Buzzed!

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  34. Wow awesome idea! Really cool for Halloween.

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  35. that is so so cute!!! I love it! Genius

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