Igloo Cake Recipe

Introduction

The Igloo Cake is a fun and visually stunning dessert perfect for winter gatherings or themed parties. This dome-shaped cake, covered in marshmallows and frosted to look like an icy igloo, is both playful and delicious. It’s a delightful way to impress guests with a creative homemade treat.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• All-purpose flour, for dusting
• 1 (15.25-oz.) box vanilla cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
• 1 (16-oz.) container vanilla frosting
• 3 drops (or more) blue gel food coloring
• 1 store-bought cake donut, halved
• 1 (10-oz.) bag regular-sized marshmallows
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• Crushed blue rock candy, for decorating
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Instructions

1. Step 1: Arrange oven racks in the upper and lower thirds and preheat to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan and an 8-inch ovenproof bowl with cooking spray. Dust both with flour, tapping out excess.
2. Step 2: Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions in a large bowl. Pour slightly more than half of the batter into the prepared bowl, and pour the remaining batter into the prepared cake pan.
3. Step 3: Bake the cakes, rotating the pan and bowl between racks halfway through, until the cake in the pan is cooked through and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
4. Step 4: Continue baking the cake in the bowl until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 10 minutes more. Invert both cakes onto a wire rack and let cool.
5. Step 5: In a large bowl, mix the vanilla frosting with blue gel food coloring until the desired shade is achieved. Using a serrated knife, level the domed sides of both cakes. Spread frosting over the top and sides of the cake from the pan, then place the bowl-shaped cake on top with the flat side down. Frost the entire cake, covering all sides completely.
6. Step 6: Use frosting to attach one half of the donut to the bottom of the cake as the igloo’s entryway. Cover the donut with frosting, then attach the second donut half to extend the entryway. Cover it with frosting as well.
7. Step 7: Using clean kitchen shears, cut the large marshmallows in half lengthwise. Starting at the bottom of the cake, press the cut sides of the marshmallows into the frosting, packing them closely together in even rows until you reach the top.
8. Step 8: Snip the mini marshmallows in half lengthwise and press them into the frosting on the exterior of the entryway.
9. Step 9: Decorate the igloo with crushed blue rock candy as desired, then dust the entire cake with confectioners’ sugar to add a snowy effect.

Tips & Variations

• For a stronger dome shape, use a metal or glass mixing bowl that can go in the oven without risk of cracking.
• Substitute blue gel food coloring with purple or turquoise for a fun twist on traditional igloo colors.
• You can add a drop of peppermint extract to the frosting for a cool, minty flavor.
• If marshmallows are too sticky to work with, lightly dust them with powdered sugar to prevent clumping.

Storage

Store the igloo cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it tightly covered for up to 4 days. Allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving to restore softness. Avoid storing in a very humid place as the marshmallows may become sticky.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the cake dome without an ovenproof bowl?

If you don’t have an ovenproof bowl, try using a heat-safe metal mixing bowl or a similarly shaped silicone mold. Just make sure it can withstand the oven temperature safely.

What can I use instead of rock candy for decoration?

If you don’t have blue rock candy, crushed blue sugar sprinkles or white sanding sugar can create a similar icy effect on the igloo cake.

Igloo Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 73 reviews

Create a whimsical and festive Igloo Cake that combines moist vanilla cake layers with a smooth, blue-tinted vanilla frosting. This unique dome-shaped cake is frosted to resemble an igloo, decorated with marshmallows to simulate ice blocks, and adorned with a donut entryway and sparkling blue rock candy for a frosty finish.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake

• Cooking spray, for greasing
• All-purpose flour, for dusting
• 1 (15.25-oz.) box vanilla cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box

Frosting

• 1 (16-oz.) container vanilla frosting
• 3 drops (or more) blue gel food coloring

Decorations

• 1 store-bought cake donut, halved
• 1 (10-oz.) bag regular-sized marshmallows
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• Crushed blue rock candy, for decorating
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Instructions

1. Prepare pans and preheat oven: Arrange oven racks in the upper and lower thirds and preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan and an 8-inch ovenproof bowl with cooking spray. Dust both with flour and tap out any excess flour.
2. Make cake batter: In a large bowl, prepare the vanilla cake mix according to the package directions. Pour slightly more than half of the prepared batter into the greased and floured ovenproof bowl. Pour the remaining batter into the prepared cake pan.
3. Bake cake layers: Bake both the cake pan and the bowl, rotating their positions top to bottom halfway through baking. Bake until the cake in the pan is fully cooked and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
4. Finish baking dome cake: Continue baking the cake in the ovenproof bowl until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 10 additional minutes. Once done, invert the cakes onto a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Frost the cakes: In a large bowl, mix the vanilla frosting with blue gel food coloring, adding more drops until you reach the desired shade of blue. Use a serrated knife to level the domed sides of both cakes. Spread frosting over the top and sides of the cake baked in the pan. Place the dome cake (from the bowl) on top of this layer with the flat side down. Frost the entire igloo cake, covering all visible sides smoothly.
6. Construct entryway: Use frosting to adhere one half of the cake donut to the base of the igloo cake as the entrance. Cover the donut half with frosting. Attach the second donut half to extend the layout of the entryway, then coat the whole entryway with frosting.
7. Apply large marshmallow ‘ice blocks’: Using clean kitchen shears, cut the large marshmallows in half lengthwise. Starting at the bottom of the cake, press the cut sides of the marshmallows into the frosting, packing them closely together in neat, even rows until the igloo exterior is fully covered.
8. Decorate entryway with mini marshmallows: Cut mini marshmallows in half lengthwise and press them into the frosting covering the donut entryway, creating a cohesive look.
9. Final touches: Decorate the igloo with crushed blue rock candy as desired to mimic sparkling ice. Dust confectioners’ sugar lightly over the top for a snowy effect. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

• Use an ovenproof bowl with a rounded bottom to achieve the igloo dome shape.
• Adjust the amount of blue gel food coloring to get your preferred frost color intensity.
• Be gentle when cutting marshmallows to keep their shape intact for a neat finish.
• Crushed blue rock candy adds sparkle but can be omitted if unavailable.
• Ensure cakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.

Keywords: Igloo Cake, Vanilla Cake, Winter Dessert, Marshmallow Decoration, Frosted Cake, Holiday Cake