If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this Butterbeer Cake is for you! It’s a delicious replica flavor from the famous Butterbeer drink, made with butterscotch cake layers topped with rich butterbeer frosting and a butterscotch drip.
Ever since I visited Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Florida, I’ve been obsessed with Harry Potter. The first thing we had to do was get an interactive wand and go to each station. The second thing we had to do was try the butterbeer. It’s just a must when you visit Harry Potter World and we had to see what all they hype was.
The flavor delicious and what I expected it to be. There are 7 different kinds of butterbeer at Universal Orlando Resort. We only tried the cold butterbeer but need to go back and get the frozen, hot, ice cream, potted cream and fudge to try.
When my son asked for a Harry Potter themed birthday, I just knew I had to make a butterbeer cake inspired by the park drink. Cake is always the perfect way to celebrate any occasion, and show love for one of the most iconic books in history.
I think I nailed with the flavor and design. This delicious treat is sure to impress your guests, and it’s also very easy to make- so you can enjoy it as a special treat for yourself too!
What is Butterbeer?
Butterbeer is a cold, sweet beverage that appears in the Harry Potter series made out of butterscotch, sugar and water.
Butterbeer is first mentioned in the book Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabon when Ron Weasley says, “Shall we go for a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks?”. And every since then the frothy drink has become famous.
What does Butterbeer taste like?
The flavor of Harry Potter Butterbeer is a blend of butterscotch, caramel, and vanilla. Some people say that it tastes like caramel or butterscotch, while others describe it as sweet and syrupy.
If you want to find out what it tastes like for yourself you’ll have to head over to Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Orlando in Florida; it’s one of the most popular drinks there. Or if you can’t make it to the park, try this Butterbeer recipe you can make at home.
Is there alcohol in Butterbeer?
Despite the name, there is no alcohol in butterbeer.
What You Will Need to Make This Cake
Butterbeer Cake Ingredients
- Yellow Cake Mix – any brand will work.
- Instant butterscotch pudding mix
- Eggs
- Water
- Vegetable oil
- Cream soda – use a clear or light brown color cream soda.
- Vanilla extract
Butterbeer Frosting Ingredients
- Butter – unsalted at room temperature.
- Vegetable shortening – use Crisco brand for this recipe.
- Powdered sugar
- Cream soda – use clear or light brown for best results.
Butterscotch Ganache Ingredients
- Butterscotch chips
- Heavy cream
Equipment Used
- (2) 8X2 inch cake pans
- Cake release, EZ Greasy or nonstick spray
- Cake board/cake stand
- (2) Piping Bags
- Piping tip 1M
- Harry Potter themed sprinkles
- Cake toppers
- Hand or stand mixer
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
How to Make Butterbeer Drip Cake
Step 1 – Make the Butterbeer Cake. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water and oil in a mixing bowl and mix until incorporated. Fold in vanilla extract and cream soda and immediately place into prepared 8X2 inch cake pans.
Step 2 – Bake the cake. Bake for 35-40 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and set aside Once cooled, level the top of the cake while still in the pan.
Step 3 – Make ganache. Add heavy cream to a microwave safe bowl and heat in the microwave for 40 seconds. Pour on top of the butterscotch and let rest about 7-9 mins. Stir until ganache begins to form. (if all chips are not melted, microwave again for 10 more seconds, stir and let cool) Add to piping bag.
Step 4 – Make the frosting. In a bowl add butter and shortening and mix until smooth. Add in the half the powdered sugar and ¼ cup cream soda and mix until smooth. Add remaining powdered sugar and ¼ cup cream soda. Mix until combined, then mix on HIGH until fluffy (about 4-5 mins).
Step 5 – Stack the cake. Add a dollop of buttercream to the cake board. Place down the first layer, cut side up. Add buttercream and spread out on the cake. Add a drizzle of the butterscotch ganache to the frosting. Top with the second layer of cake, cut side down.
Step 6 – Frost the cake with the buttercream. Add thick layers of buttercream to the cake all the way around. Use a cake comb to create the pattern on the side of the cake and a circle pattern on top of the cake until no cake is seen through the frosting. (this also removes excess buttercream).
Step 7 – Add butterscotch drips. Add the drip to the outside rim of the cake (a little goes a long way).
Step 8 – Add rosettes on top of cake. Add remaining buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a tip 1M. Add rosettes around the top of the cake and immediately add sprinkles.
Tips for Making a Perfect Butterbeer Drip Cake
- To keep the cake moist and frost easier, prepare the cake the night before and freeze. Once cooled and leveled, cover in plastic wrap and freeze overnight.
- Prior to baking, make sure to prepare baking pans prior with Cake release, EZ Greasy or nonstick spray on the bottom and along the sides to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Allow cake to fully cool before stacking and frosting.
Recipe
Harry Potter Inspired Butterbeer Cake
Ingredients
Butterbeer Cake Ingredients
- 2 15.25oz Yellow Cake Mix
- 1 3.9oz instant butterscotch pudding mix
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups water
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup cream soda
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Butterbeer Frosting Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 cup vegetable shortening Crisco
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup cream soda
Butterscotch Ganache for Drip Ingredients
- ¾ cup butterscotch chips
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Step 1 – Make the Butterbeer Cake. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water and oil in a mixing bowl and mix until incorporated. Fold in vanilla extract and cream soda and immediately place into prepared 8X2 inch cake pans.
Step 2 – Bake the cake. Bake for 35-40 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and set aside Once cooled, level the top of the cake while still in the pan.
Step 3 – Make ganache. Add heavy cream to a microwave safe bowl and heat in the microwave for 40 seconds. Pour on top of the butterscotch and let rest about 7-9 mins. Stir until ganache begins to form. (if all chips are not melted, microwave again for 10 more seconds, stir and let cool) Add to piping bag.
Step 4 – Make the frosting. Add butter and shortening in a bowl and mix until smooth. Add in the half the powdered sugar and ¼ cup cream soda and mix until smooth. Add remaining powdered sugar and ¼ cup cream soda. Mix until combined, then mix on HIGH until fluffy (about 4-5 mins).
Step 5 – Stack the cake. Add a dollop of buttercream to the cake board. Place down the first layer, cut side up. Add buttercream and spread out on the cake. Add a drizzle of the butterscotch ganache to the frosting. Top with the second layer of cake, cut side down.
Step 6 – Frost the cake with the buttercream. Add thick layers of buttercream to the cake all the way around. Use a cake comb to create the pattern on the side of the cake and a circle pattern on top of the cake until no cake is seen through the frosting. (this also removes excess buttercream).
Step 7 – Add butterscotch drips. Add the drip to the outside rim of the cake (a little goes a long way).
Step 8 – Add rosettes on top of cake. Add remaining buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a tip 1M. Add rosettes around the top of the cake and immediately add sprinkles.
Notes
Tips for Making a Perfect Butterbeer Drip Cake
- To keep the cake moist and frost easier, prepare the cake the night before and freeze. Once cooled and leveled, cover in plastic wrap and freeze overnight.
- Prior to baking, make sure to prepare baking pans prior with Cake release, EZ Greasy or nonstick spray on the bottom and along the sides to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Allow cake to fully cool before stacking and frosting.
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Marci Magolon
Hi. I am going to make this cake for my daughter. It calls for a 3.9 box of pudding. Of course packages have gotten smaller. Will 3.4 package be enough for this cake. I do bake alot. But, I want your opinion. Thanks so much
Marci Magolon
Alison
Yes, that will work.
Sky
What if I don’t have an instant butterscotch pudding mix? Can I use the premade pudding one?
Alison
I’m not sure if that will work as I have not tried it.
katelynn krygier
is it 2 boxes of cake mix ?
Alison
Yes!