Leopard print is roaring back into style, and it’s not just for fashion and home decor anymore! This wild pattern is taking the cake world by storm. If you’re looking to create a cake that’s both trendy and delicious, look no further than the Pink Leopard Print buttercream cake. This guide will walk you through creating a fun and unique cake that’s perfect for any celebration.
Leopard Print Buttercream Cake – how to make a pink leopard print cake using buttercream frosting | by Erin Gardner for TheCakeBlog.com
While classic leopard print colors are always chic, we’re diving into a playful twist with a pink palette. Pink leopard print offers a fun, unexpected, and delightfully girly take on this iconic design. It’s a nod to the vibrant 90s and a fantastic way to make your cake stand out. Of course, if traditional browns and tans are more your style, feel free to adapt the colors to your preference.
Leopard Print Buttercream Cake – how to make a pink leopard print cake using buttercream frosting | by Erin Gardner for TheCakeBlog.com
For achieving the leopard spots, we’ll use the buttercream transfer method. This technique adds a subtle texture to your cake and offers a forgiving approach for beginners. Mistakes are easily fixed! If a spot doesn’t quite land right, simply chill the cake, gently remove the buttercream spot, and reposition or redo it. The beauty of this design lies in its randomness, so don’t strive for perfection – embrace the organic, free-flowing nature of leopard print.
Leopard Print Buttercream Cake – how to make a pink leopard print cake using buttercream frosting | by Erin Gardner for TheCakeBlog.com
DIY Pink Leopard Buttercream Cake Tutorial
A Cake Decorating Guide by Erin Gardner
Cake Decorating Supplies You Will Need:
- Vanilla buttercream frosting
- Pink gel food coloring in 3 shades (e.g., soft pink, fuchsia, and burgundy)
- Black gel food coloring (optional, for a darker outline if desired)
- Waxed paper squares (1-2 inch)
- Piping bags
- Small round piping tips (optional, but recommended for control)
- Large star piping tip
- 6-inch round cake, frosted with soft pink buttercream and chilled
- Dark gray or silver sugar pearls
- Assorted pink sprinkles and edible pearls
Step-by-Step Guide to Pink Leopard Print Buttercream Cake
1. Prepare Your Buttercream and Piping Supplies
Begin by cutting small squares of waxed paper, approximately 1 to 2 inches. Tint your vanilla buttercream into the three shades of pink: soft pink, fuchsia, and burgundy. For the outlines of the spots, black gel food coloring can be used instead of burgundy for a bolder look. Prepare piping bags with small round tips for the burgundy (or black) and soft pink frostings. A slightly larger round tip is ideal for the fuchsia frosting. For the cake top decoration, tint 2 to 3 cups of buttercream dark gray and load it into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
2. Create the Leopard Print Buttercream Transfers
The size of your leopard spots is customizable depending on your cake size and preference. Aim for spots around 0.5 to 1 inch in diameter. If you need guidelines, lightly draw circles on the back of the waxed paper squares. Alternatively, freehand the designs for a more organic feel. Using the burgundy buttercream (or black), pipe irregular lines or dots to create the outline of a small circle. Fill the center of each outlined circle with fuchsia buttercream. For added dimension, use soft pink buttercream to fill in some areas within the fuchsia spots, creating varied tones.
Piping burgundy buttercream outlines for leopard spots on waxed paper squares.
Place the prepared waxed paper squares onto a baking sheet. Repeat the process until you have created enough leopard spots to cover your cake. For a 6-inch tall round cake, about 60 spots should be sufficient. Vary the patterns of burgundy outlines to enhance the natural look of the leopard print. Once complete, chill the baking sheet of buttercream spots in the refrigerator for approximately 10 minutes, or until they are firm to the touch.
A tray of waxed paper squares with piped pink leopard buttercream spots chilling in the fridge.
3. Assemble the Pink Leopard Print Cake
To ensure the buttercream leopard spots adhere smoothly and slightly elevated to the cake sides, pipe a layer of pale pink buttercream onto the back of each chilled spot.
Applying a layer of pale pink buttercream to the back of a chilled leopard spot transfer.
Randomly press the buttercream leopard spots onto the sides of your pre-chilled, soft pink frosted cake. Gently press each spot to ensure good contact with the cake’s surface.
Pressing pink leopard buttercream spots onto the side of a chilled pink buttercream cake.
Return the cake to the refrigerator and chill for another 10 minutes until the spots are firm. Carefully peel off the waxed paper backings from each spot. Fill in any gaps on the cake with additional leopard spots to achieve a seamless, all-over print.
Peeling off the waxed paper backing from a pink leopard buttercream spot on the cake.
4. Finish with Buttercream Swirls and Sprinkles
Pipe decorative swirls of dark gray buttercream on top of the cake using the large star tip.
Piping dark gray buttercream swirls on top of the pink leopard print cake.
To add extra sparkle and texture, fill in the spaces between the buttercream swirls with dark gray sugar pearls. Garnish the buttercream swirls and the cake top with an assortment of pink sprinkles and edible pearls in coordinating shades.
Decorating the pink leopard print cake with gray pearl sprinkles and assorted pink sprinkles.
Finished pink leopard print buttercream cake with gray buttercream swirls and pink sprinkles.
This pink leopard print buttercream cake is not only visually stunning but also a fun and relatively easy project for home bakers. Embrace your wild side and create a cake that’s sure to impress!
Explore More Buttercream Cake Trends: (Optional: Link to other trendy buttercream cake tutorials on amazingprint.net if available)
