RIVERDALE DINER CAKE

a tribute to pop's chock'lit shoppe, this dessert is a milkshake in cake form featuring malt neapolitan cake layers and coated in a rich malt buttercream. it's as vibrant and dark as the town of riverdale.

Time: 195 minutes

Number Of Ingredients: 20

Ingredients: nonstick cooking spray,french vanilla cake mix,strawberry cake mix,chocolate cake mix,malt drink powder,strawberry extract,red candy melts,cake,yellow candy melts,orange candy melts,sugar,cornstarch,fondant,white fondant,unsalted butter,salt,vanilla', "confectioners' sugar", 'whole milk,food coloring

Steps:

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees f
2. line 3 9 inch square baking pans with parchment paper and spray with nonstick spray
3. prepare boxed cakes according to package instructions , adding in 2 tablespoons of malt powder to each batter
4. also add 1 teaspoon of strawberry extract to the strawberry batter
5. pour batters into prepared cake pans and bake for about 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean
6. let cakes cool completely then trim tops to level
7. chill cake layers while you make the buttercream and decorations
8. beat butter alone in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until fluffy
9. add malt powder , salt , and about cup of sugar
10. beat until combined
11. gradually beat in remaining sugar
12. add the milk , vanilla , and food coloring
13. beat to combine
14. transfer frosting to a piping bag
15. pipe the outline of an arrow with red candy melts onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and let set
16. fill the arrow with black candy melts and let set
17. pipe a rectangle with white candy melts and let set
18. flip white rectangle over and attach the arrow onto the smooth side of the rectangle with candy melts
19. let set
20. flip over and attach a skewer or lollipop stick to the back of the rectangle with candy melts
21. let set
22. pipe a large half-moon with yellow candy melts onto a parchment-lined baking sheet , about 7 x 5 inches
23. lay 4 large wooden popsicle sticks on top
24. pipe yellow candy melts over the popsicle sticks and spread to cover with a small offset
25. let set
26. flip over and pipe black candy melts on the flat side to resemble leaves
27. let set
28. pipe three rectangle outlines with red candy melts , about 3 x1 inches , onto a parchment-lined baking sheet
29. fill the inside of the outlines with orange candy melts and immediately cover with orange sanding sugar
30. pipe a black hood with black candy melts and let set
31. attach to one of the rectangles with candy melts
32. dust cornstarch over a work surface and roll out some red fondant', "use metal letter cutters to cut out 'd , ' 'i , ' and 'e", "' transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet", "roll out some white fondant and cut out 'n' and 'r", "' set aside", 'position the chocolate cake layer on a cake board and top with a layer of buttercream
33. top with the strawberry cake layer , another layer of frosting , and then the vanilla cake layer on top
34. frost a thin layer of buttercream all over and freeze for 15 minutes
35. frost entire cake with buttercream', "position fondant 'diner' letters on side of the cake in the center top area", 'use a skewer to add indentations on the front and sides of a cake to resemble side paneling', "stick on windows and door onto front of cake underneath 'diner", "'", 'pipe red drips on the sides of the cake with red candy melts
36. cover top with red candy melts and spread with offset spatula
37. immediately insert moon and arrow sign into top of cake

    time-to-make    course    preparation    for-large-groups    desserts    cakes    number-of-servings    4-hours-or-less