And by rules, I really only mean one. And it’s not really a rule, just more of a principle I like to follow. Normally I am opposed to food coloring and peeps, but this cake. Well, this cake totally got the better of me and even though it’s not something I would make every day, it’s crazy fun (and oh my gosh, so good). Sometimes you just have to let your guard down a little, right?
Here is the thing, Peeps are not a candy I would ever choose, especially over say chocolate. They’re just not my favorite, BUT every year come Easter I just have to buy them. My mom used to put them in our Easter baskets growing up, and for me, it’s just not Easter without Peeps. Plus, I love their pastel colors. They make me happy just looking at them. Kind of like the way flowers make me happy, but with Peeps I get a sugar high. Awesome.
Let me just start by telling you, there were no Peeps harmed in the making of this cake. Well, Asher ate a few of their ears off, so I guess there were a few. But there are not actually Peeps IN the cake, just on top. The cake is all chocolate, with the most amazing marshmallow buttercream, ganache and a little coconut caramel because well, why the heck not. Plus, there is coconut all over the outside, but that’s pretty obvious.
Also, if food coloring is not for you, I get it. For some reason though I could not resist. Maybe it’s because it has snowed all week and I am in desperate need of color. Yup, I blame the snow. For everything. It’s ruining my judgment. And it happens every year.
With all that said, I love this cake.
I know it is nowhere near perfect, but I am not even close to being a cake maker. Actually, this was my first ever six layer cake. And the thought of making it made me anxious for days, but I did and I am so happy! Sure, the layers are not even, and the slices did not come out super clean – as I had hoped they would. At first (and up until about a minute ago) I was so not ok with that. I wanted so badly for this cake to be beautiful, perfect and professional looking. It’s the perfectionist in me. I had to be convinced to even post the photos.
But now, as I write this, I am realizing that it is the imperfections that make this cake real. It’s a cake that anyone can make (preferably someone with patience and a steady hand though). So I guess I am sort of ok with it.
Maybe with time and a few more years of baking cakes on my shoulders I’ll get better, but this will do for now. What matters most is the taste, and trust me, immediately after the last shot was taken. Piece after piece was devoured as a little afternoon delight.
And since we are being honest here, I have to tell you that this piece you see above, it was my fourth cut. Meaning I cut two pieces out of one side, turned the cake to the other side and cut out two more. I needed the perfect cut. Then the cake looked really weird. Basically cuts all over. I never got that perfect cut I was looking for. Good thing no one in my house would ever care. They just want cake. In any way it way, shape or form they can get it. Mashed up, messed up – whatever…just so it tastes good.
If six layers is a little beyond your time scope, you can make things so much easier by just doing a three layer cake. Truthfully, if I was not trying to challenge myself and do newish things for you guys I would have just made a three layer cake too. Not gonna lie, six layers are a process. Nothing super hard, just a process, and you’re gonna need time. Other than the layers everything else is pretty easy. There are a decent amount of steps, so I recommend making the cake over the course of two days. It just made things easier and less daunting. And don’t get freaked by the steps. The cake is too good not to make. Marshmallows, chocolate, ganache, caramel, COCONUT. Yum!
Now let’s make cake.
