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This image shows a top-down view of a celestial-themed Capricorn cake decorated with dark and light gray buttercream on a clean white marble countertop, styled with no background clutter.

Capricorn Cake Recipe

Celebrate the ambitious and grounded spirit of Capricorn with this unique cake infused with earthy tea leaves and layered in celestial gray buttercream. A perfect balance of flavor and elegance, it’s an ideal treat for winter birthdays or zodiac-themed gatherings that’s both striking and soul-soothing.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 people
Calories 610 kcal

Equipment

  • Two 8-inch round cake pans
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer
  • Cooling rack
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Offset spatula or cake scraper

Ingredients
  

Cake

  • Tea leaves from 1 bag Earl Grey tea
  • 1 box Betty Crocker
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup water
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup of strong brewed Earl Grey tea

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

  • 9 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ¾ cups heavy cream
  • Gray food gel
  • 4 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350ºF and grease the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans.
  • In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat together the cake mix, brewed tea, tea leaves, vegetable oil, and eggs until well combined.
    This image shows a large glass bowl containing cake mix, brewed tea, tea leaves, eggs, and vegetable oil being mixed with a silver electric hand mixer on a clean white marble cooktop.
  • Evenly divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 26 to 31 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    This image shows two black round cake pans filled with cake batter on a white marble cooktop, with a silver ice cream scoop placed nearby.
  • Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.
    This image shows golden-brown cake layers cooling in black pans and also on a wire rack over a white marble cooktop.
  • Meanwhile, in another large bowl, beat the butter, powdered sugar, and salt on low speed until smooth using an electric mixer.
    This image shows softened butter, powdered sugar, and salt being mixed in a large glass bowl with a silver hand mixer on a white marble countertop.
  • Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream and beat until just combined, then increase the speed to medium and continue beating until fluffy.
    This image shows fluffy buttercream frosting being beaten in a glass bowl with added vanilla extract and heavy cream over a white marble cooktop.
  • Set aside 4 cups of the prepared buttercream.
    This image shows 4 cups of buttercream set aside in a small clear glass bowl next to the larger bowl, all placed over a white marble surface.
  • Tint 2 cups dark gray by adding food gel a few drops at a time, stirring between additions until the desired color is achieved.
  • Leave 2 cups white.
  • Tint the remaining buttercream light gray in the same way.
    tinting_buttercream_dark_gray_using_black_food_gel_in_glass_bowl_on_white_marble_counter
  • Frost the completely cooled cake layers as desired, using the various shades of buttercream to create a celestial Capricorn-inspired design.
    This image shows the cake being frosted with dark and light gray buttercream using a metal offset spatula on a cake turntable over a white marble surface.

Notes

  • For a deeper tea flavor, use a strong black tea like Earl Grey or Assam.
  • Sift the cake mix before combining to avoid clumps and ensure a smoother batter.
  • Let the butter soften to room temperature before whipping to ensure a fluffy, lump-free frosting.
  • To level the cakes, trim the domed tops with a serrated knife for an even, professional look.