Easy Kit Kat Cake with Fresh Strawberries: Your Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Celebration Cake
Dive into the delightful world of homemade desserts with this incredibly quick and easy Kit Kat cake recipe. Adorned with vibrant fresh strawberries and nestled within a luscious chocolate buttercream, this cake is crafted from simple, readily available ingredients. It’s not just a cake; it’s a statement piece, making it the perfect, stress-free cake decorating idea for birthdays, family gatherings, or any occasion that calls for a touch of edible magic.
This show-stopping chocolate layer cake holds a special place in my heart, born out of a moment of creative improvisation during my last trip to Canada. Far from my usual extensive baking supplies, I relied on the simplest, freshest ingredients available: an abundance of seasonal fruits and, of course, plenty of candy bars! The result was an instant hit with family and friends; not a single slice was left behind!
What makes this Kit Kat cake truly exceptional is its remarkable simplicity. It’s an absolute dream for beginners, requiring no fancy tools or intricate techniques. Even if you’re short on time or new to baking from scratch, this recipe is incredibly forgiving. You can effortlessly use a high-quality box cake mix for the layers, or even purchase pre-made, store-bought iced cakes to fast-track your way to decoration. This adaptability ensures that anyone can create a beautiful and delicious cake that looks far more complicated than it actually is.
For those looking for more creative inspiration using Kit Kat borders, don’t forget to explore other fantastic ideas like this Easy Pig Cake {Fondant Pig Topper} or the impressive Treasure Chest Cake. Both brilliantly showcase how Kit Kat bars can transform a simple cake into an extraordinary masterpiece, creating a fun and edible fence around your delicious creation.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Kit Kat Cake
- Effortlessly Impressive: This cake looks incredibly professional and festive, yet it’s surprisingly simple to assemble. No advanced piping skills needed!
- Perfect for Any Occasion: While it shines as a birthday cake, its vibrant appearance and delicious flavors make it suitable for holidays, potlucks, or just a sweet weekend treat.
- Customizable Fun: The basic framework is a blank canvas for your creativity. Easily swap out fruits, candies, or cake flavors to match any theme or preference.
- Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: Who doesn’t love chocolate, candy, and fresh berries? This combination is a universal favorite that will disappear fast.
- Beginner-Friendly: With clear, step-by-step instructions, even novice bakers can achieve stunning results.
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How To Make Easy Kit Kat Cake Recipe From Scratch?
Creating this show-stopping Kit Kat cake is a straightforward process, broken down into a few simple steps. Here’s a quick overview to guide you:
- Bake Cakes: Begin by preparing your favorite chocolate cake layers. Once baked, it’s crucial to allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Attempting to frost warm cakes will lead to a melty, sticky disaster, as the frosting will simply slide off.
- Frost Cakes: Generously frost your cooled cake layers with a rich chocolate buttercream icing. Ensure you create a smooth, even coating all around the sides and top, as this not only provides the delicious flavor but also acts as the “glue” for your Kit Kat border.
- Stick Kit Kats: Carefully unwrap your Kit Kat bars and begin to gently press them around the sides of your frosted cake. Arrange them closely together, ensuring they completely cover the entire perimeter, creating a solid, decorative fence.
- Tie a Ribbon Around It: For an extra layer of stability and a touch of elegance, tie a decorative ribbon around the Kit Kat border. This step is practical, helping to hold the candy bars firmly in place, and also adds a charming visual element.
- Arrange the Fresh Fruits: Finally, artfully arrange your fresh, washed, and dried fruits – especially the vibrant strawberries and blackberries – on top of the cake. This final touch adds a burst of color, freshness, and a lovely contrast to the chocolate and candy.
Essential Ingredients for Your Kit Kat Masterpiece
Crafting this impressive cake relies on a few core components. Here’s what you’ll need and some considerations for each:
- Cake: The foundation of our dessert! While I recommend a classic round shape for easy Kit Kat placement, feel free to use any shape you prefer. The flavor is also entirely up to you; chocolate is a natural fit, but vanilla, red velvet, or even a funfetti cake would be delightful. Remember, if baking from scratch isn’t your preference, a good quality box mix or store-bought cake will work perfectly.
- Frosting: I chose a luxurious chocolate buttercream, which provides a rich flavor and the ideal sticky texture to hold the Kit Kats in place. However, you can experiment with other frostings like vanilla buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or even a ganache if you’re feeling adventurous. Just ensure it’s firm enough to support the candy.
- Kit Kats: These iconic chocolate bars are the star of the show! Ensure you purchase enough to completely encircle the sides of your cake. The quantity will vary depending on your cake’s diameter. It’s always a good idea to buy a few extra, just in case some break during unwrapping or placement. You can use standard milk chocolate Kit Kats, or even white chocolate ones for a different aesthetic.
- Berries: Fresh berries are key for a vibrant, juicy topping. I use a mix of ripe strawberries and blackberries. Make sure they are thoroughly washed and gently patted dry before arranging. This prevents excess moisture from seeping into your cake. While strawberries are sliced, blackberries can be left whole for a beautiful contrast.
Creative Variations for Your Kit Kat Cake
One of the best aspects of this Kit Kat cake recipe is its incredible versatility! You can easily adapt it to suit different tastes, occasions, or even just what you have on hand. Here are some fun ways to customize your creation:
- Use Other Candies: Don’t limit yourself to Kit Kats! You can experiment with different chocolate bars like Twix, Snickers, or Milky Way for the border. For a more colorful and chewy border, consider using Twizzlers or even Mars bars cut to size. Each will give a unique texture and flavor profile.
- Add M&Ms: Instead of berries, fill the top of your cake with a generous layer of colorful M&M candies. You can use a single color for a monochromatic look or a mix of colors for a festive sprinkle effect. It’s especially fun for kids’ parties!
- Make an Easter Version: Transform your cake for springtime by replacing the berries with an assortment of Easter egg candies. Think mini chocolate eggs, jelly beans, or pastel-colored candy-coated chocolates. You can also swap out regular Kit Kats for the seasonal pastel-colored ones that often appear around Spring for a limited time.
- Make a Halloween Version: Embrace the spooky season! Replace strawberries with dark, mysterious blackberries for a dramatic effect. If you prefer candies, opt for Reese’s Pieces in their iconic orange and yellow, or other Halloween-themed candies like candy corn or gummy worms for a playful, eerie look.
- Make a Birthday Version: Elevate the birthday celebration by filling the top of the cake with an explosion of colorful sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, and a variety of small candies like gummy bears, chocolate buttons, or even small chocolate truffles. Add some birthday candles for the ultimate festive touch!
- Use White Chocolate Kit Kats: For a lighter, creamier flavor and a striking visual contrast, opt for white chocolate Kit Kats instead of the traditional milk chocolate ones I used. This works wonderfully with red berries for a classic red and white aesthetic.
- Make an Ice Cream Version: For the ultimate cold treat, construct this Ice Cream Cake as your base. Once frozen and firm, you can then proceed with decorating it with the Kit Kat border and fruit topping as per the instructions. Just ensure it stays very cold!
- Use a Different Flavor Cake: The chocolate cake is fantastic, but feel free to experiment with other cake bases such as this light and fruity Easy Cherry Cake or a joyous Funfetti Cake. The versatility allows the Kit Kat and fruit decor to shine on any flavor.
- Try Different Frosting Recipes: While chocolate buttercream is rich, you could switch to a smooth White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting or a classic American Buttercream Frosting Recipe to complement your chosen cake and toppings.
- Add a Filling: For an extra layer of flavor and texture within your cake, consider adding a delicious filling between the layers. A homemade Strawberry Pie Filling would enhance the berry theme, or a rich Easy Chocolate Ganache could add even more decadence.
- Consider a Different Cake Shape: While round cakes are traditional for this design, don’t shy away from baking a square or rectangle cake if you prefer. Just remember you’ll need to adjust the quantity of Kit Kats accordingly to cover all sides.
- Make a Tiered Cake: For truly grand occasions like weddings, significant anniversaries, or large formal events, consider creating a stunning tiered Kit Kat cake. Remember that for stability, especially with heavier candy borders, you’ll absolutely need to use dowels or bubble tea straws for support. This prevents the upper tiers from sinking into and damaging the lower ones.
Tips and Techniques for a Flawless Kit Kat Cake
To ensure your Kit Kat cake turns out perfectly every time, keep these essential tips and techniques in mind:
- Don’t Frost or Decorate Warm Cakes: This is perhaps the most crucial rule! The warmth from a freshly baked cake will cause your beautiful buttercream icing and the chocolate Kit Kat bars to melt, slide, and create an unappetizing sticky mess. Always ensure your cakes are completely cooled, even chilled, before you begin frosting and decorating.
- Level the Cakes: For a professional-looking and stable layered cake, it’s vital to slice off any domes or uneven tops from your cake layers before stacking them. This creates a perfectly flat surface, ensuring your tiers are level and your toppings sit beautifully without tilting.
- Cut Your Strawberries Lengthwise and Dry Them Thoroughly: When using fresh strawberries, cut them in half lengthwise for an appealing look. More importantly, place them on a few layers of paper towel and gently pat them dry. Allow them to sit for a few minutes to absorb any excess juices. The last thing you want is drippy strawberries, which can make your cake soft, soggy, and “mushy” over time. Wash and gently pat dry any other berries like blackberries too.
- Do Not Use Frozen Berries: While convenient, frozen berries contain a lot of water. Upon thawing, they release too much juice, which will bleed into your frosting and potentially make your cake soggy. Always opt for fresh berries for the best results.
- If You Are Not Using a Cake Stand: Ensure your cake is placed on a very sturdy cake board or serving platter. This cake, with its layers, frosting, Kit Kats, and fruit, will become quite heavy. A flimsy base could lead to disaster during transportation or serving.
- What Size Cake Pans to Use? For the quantities specified in the recipe, I highly recommend using two round 8×2 inch cake pans. These dimensions create cakes of ideal height and diameter for the Kit Kat border. If you opt for alternate sizes, remember that larger pans may require more batter and additional Kit Kats to cover the sides, while smaller pans might yield taller cakes requiring more frosting.
- How to Know Cakes Are Done Baking? To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of each cake layer. If it comes out clean, with no wet batter attached, your cakes are ready to be removed from the oven. Over-baking can result in dry cakes.
- Don’t Skip the Ribbon: The decorative ribbon isn’t just for aesthetics; it plays a crucial functional role. It really helps to stabilize the Kit Kat bars, preventing them from sliding, slipping, or falling off, especially if the cake needs to be moved or if it’s sitting out for a while. It provides extra reassurance and a polished look.
- Consider a Crumb Coat: For a super smooth finish under your Kit Kats, apply a thin layer of frosting (a crumb coat) to your cake after stacking, and chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. This locks in any loose crumbs, creating a clean canvas before applying your final, thicker layer of frosting that the Kit Kats will adhere to.
- Uniform Kit Kat Breaking: For a neat and consistent look, gently break your Kit Kat bars into individual “fingers” before applying them. This ensures they line up evenly around the cake.
Recipe FAQs
For an 8-inch round cake, as specified in this recipe, you will typically need around 40 individual Kit Kat fingers, which translates to approximately 10-12 regular-sized bars (each containing 4 fingers). The exact number will, of course, vary depending on the specific size and shape of the cake you are making, as well as how closely you place the bars. My top recommendation is always to buy a few extra packs, just in case some break during the unwrapping or placement process, or if you simply want to snack on a few while you work!
Absolutely! The unfrosted cake layers can be baked and frozen up to a month in advance. The buttercream can also be made ahead and stored in the fridge for a week or frozen for up to a month. For the assembled cake, it’s best decorated the day before or the day of serving, especially with fresh fruit. If decorating the day before, store it in the refrigerator. The Kit Kats will hold up well, but the fruit is freshest when added closer to serving time.
A satin or grosgrain ribbon, about 1-inch wide, works beautifully. Choose a color that complements your fruit and frosting, or pick one that matches your party theme. Ensure it’s sturdy enough to provide gentle support to the Kit Kat border. You can use two ribbons for extra support as shown in some photos, or one ribbon as seen in the video tutorial.
Yes, definitely! This cake is wonderfully adaptable. Raspberries, blueberries, sliced kiwi, or even mandarin orange segments would be delicious. Just remember to wash and thoroughly dry any fruit you choose to prevent excess moisture from making the cake soggy.
Storage Instructions
Proper storage is key to keeping your delicious Kit Kat cake fresh and enjoyable:
- Refrigerate: Due to the fresh fruits on top, it is highly advisable to store this cake in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it. Leftovers, if any, should be placed in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out or absorbing refrigerator odors. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: If you’re planning ahead or have unfrosted cake layers, they can be securely wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil, and stored in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Similarly, leftover buttercream frosting can also be frozen in an airtight container for the same duration. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply let the cake layers and frosting thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, you can proceed with decorating the cake as per the instructions above, ensuring it’s as fresh as if you just baked it.
More Easy Decorated Cakes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed making this Kit Kat cake, you might want to try your hand at these other fun and easy cake decorating projects:
- Easy Emoji Cake {Poop Cake}
- Easy Shoe Cake {Sneaker Cake}
- Easy Pokemon Cake {Pokeball Cake}
- Easy Rainbow Cake {With Cake Mix}
- Easy Cereal Cake
- Easy Love Cake
Recipe
Kit Kat Cake (With Strawberries)
Abeer Rizvi
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Ingredients
- 2 Chocolate cakes Round, 8×2 inch layers, baked and fully cooled
- 4 cups Chocolate buttercream frosting
- 25-30 Strawberries Fresh, washed, and sliced in half lengthwise
- 15 Blackberries Fresh, washed and patted dry
- 3-4 Mint leaves Fresh, for garnish
- 40 Kit Kats Individual fingers, about 10-12 standard bars
Instructions
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Bake your two round chocolate cakes according to your recipe’s instructions. Once baked, allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. After cooling, carefully slice off any domed tops to create flat, even cake layers.
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Place one of the cooled, leveled cake layers on your desired cake stand or sturdy cake board. Evenly spread a generous amount of chocolate buttercream icing over the top of this first layer.
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Carefully place the second cake layer directly on top of the frosted first layer. Gently press down to ensure the two cakes adhere together and are level.
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Proceed to frost the entire exterior of your stacked cake – both the sides and the top – with the remaining chocolate buttercream icing. Aim for a smooth and even coat, as this will act as the adhesive for your Kit Kat border.
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Unwrap all of your Kit-Kat bars and gently break them into individual fingers. Begin carefully sticking them upright around the entire side of your cake, pressing them gently into the frosting. Work your way around until the sides are completely covered.
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To provide extra support and keep all the Kit-Kats firmly in place, tie one or two decorative ribbons tightly around the circumference of the cake. This also adds a lovely finishing touch.
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Thoroughly wash your fresh strawberries and blackberries. After washing, use a paper towel to gently pat them completely dry. This step is crucial to prevent excess moisture from making your cake soggy.
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For the strawberries, cut them lengthwise into halves or quarters, depending on their size. Place the cut strawberries on a clean paper towel to absorb any residual juices. This extra drying step ensures your cake remains firm and prevents it from becoming “mushy.”
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Artfully arrange the dried, sliced strawberries in a circular pattern on top of the cake, covering the entire surface. Place the fresh blackberries in the center of the strawberry arrangement. Finish by scattering a few fresh mint leaves over the berries for a burst of color and refreshing aroma. Serve chilled and enjoy your beautiful, delicious Kit Kat cake!
Video
Notes
- In the video tutorial, I experimented with a slightly different strawberry arrangement and used only one ribbon around the cake, contrasting with the two ribbons seen in some of the photos. Both methods work wonderfully and result in a beautiful presentation, so feel free to choose the style you prefer.
- Given the substantial weight of this decorated cake, especially with all the Kit Kats and frosting, always ensure you use a very sturdy cake stand or a robust cake board to prevent any mishaps.
- Since this cake is generously topped with fresh fruits, it’s highly recommended to keep it refrigerated until just before you are ready to serve. This helps maintain the freshness of the berries and the overall stability of the cake, especially in warmer environments.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.