It smokes, it gurgles and bubbles, then spews orange marshmallow lava over a dark chocolate mountain of cake. The crowd goes wild!
I made my first Amazing Erupting Volcano Cake several years ago when Chef Catherine Christiansen sent the recipes for her Beyond Wonderful baking column. At first glance they seemed complex, but with a bit of planning the cake was easy and came together quickly. This cake is all about fun so don’t get hung up on perfection. Embrace all its lumps, bumps and crumbs—they add character and keep you sane.
First pick a theme, then let your imagination soar. I’ve made this cake with dinosaurs, super heroes…
Star Wars characters and …
…zombies—lots of zombies slipping and sliding in green slime.
You’ll find everything you need at cake supply, party and toy stores; from small bottles of brilliant red, orange and turquoise food coloring to plastic trees, edible rocks and a variety of characters, candles and costumes for added party fun.
Who can resist Darth Vadar and a Jedi Master blowing up the Amazing Erupting Volcano cake?
And with a little face paint and disgusting teeth, this birthday boy looks like he jumped off the zombie cake.
I bake the cakes and prepared the black chocolate and green buttercreams and the Kahlúa soaking syrup the day before assembly. Next day, I frost the cakes, made the sugar lava and lake and color the marshmallow lava. Assembly is a breeze and great fun. Once the Amazing Volcano stands before me in all its glory, I just can’t wait to blow it up! When it’s time, everyone gathers and holds their breath as I fuel the cake with cubes of dry ice, hot water, and warm lava. Then it starts—a little smoke—a few bubbles—lots of hoots and hollers—and over the side it goes. “That is so cool! I want that cake for my birthday.” “WOW!” Soon the group joins in a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday with intermittent giggles as the volcano continues its spectacular show.
As the lava…or oozing slime slows, everyone goes for the cake and just can’t believe how good it is. More than a few have a second piece, but my mind is always on the leftover chocolate frosting. No matter how delicious—and how spectacular—the cake, it’s hard to beat the thrill of pure buttercream, sneaked on the sly. Give me a spoon.
See more photos from the hilarious zombie birthday party on our Facebook page.
Get a printable copy of The Amazing Erupting Volcano Cake.
Ok, you’ve just shown me Dudette’s next birthday cake. She’ll love this. Though I don’t think a 5 year-old can do the zombie thing.
I’ll have to figure out a way that Superman saves the world with a volcano. I’m sure there’s something out there somewhere. It’s so absolutely awesome. Thanks very much for sharing your spectacular cake!
SO fun! I wish I had been this creative when my boys were little…maybe they’d still enjoy a volcano cake???? I think they would!!!
Hi, Mom Chef!
Superman sounds like great fun. I used lots of the kids Star Wars action figures (washed, of course] and bought a few new ones that they wanted.
Large toy stores often have small sets of superhero sets…all the cars and vehicles that Superman saves from the bubbling volcano.
Good luck and let me know how your cake turns out.
B
Oh my gosh this looks like so much fun!! Lucky lucky kids! My daughter isn’t quite old enough to appreciate this, but my husband is! Truly a kid at heart, this would be a blast! (pun intended for sure!) Great to “meet” you and look forward to checking out more of your blog!
Maggie, big kids sing, “Happy Birthday” the loudest when the cake is smoking and gurgling. Your husband will love it.
This cake is so cool I can barely stand it. I want it for my birthday. Seriously. I want to see that lava in person!
You will love it! It is so much fun. Know that the reason that I’ve done so many themes is that this is the most request birthday cake in my family.
How fun is this?! I’m going to have to find a way to make this in pink… I’m thinking Malibu Barbie and a tropical volcano. Thanks for the FB friend add, sharing recipes is going to be fun