Vintage Recreated: Easter Egg Layer Cake

Baker’s Chocolate and Swan’s Cake Mix Advertisement

This over-the-top Easter Egg Layer Cake has so much going on – I felt like I was putting everything and the kitchen sink into recreating this design.  But how cool is it??!

While it is the case I took a brief break from writing this blog, I have definitely continued baking and posting the pictures on social media.  Getting the writing accomplished during the bleak winter is a struggle for me.  Take a look at TheSugaryShrink on Instagram and FaceBook.  The good news…I have plenty of things to blog about.

Let’s take a look at this cake…

The advertisement is totally eye-catching.

The text gives basic instructions on the construction; it was a great place to start.  Point of reference:  Swans Down Cake Mixes were on the market from 1926 to the early 1970s.  Bakers Chocolate is a staple in most bakers’ kitchens.

Four vertical layers of cake required two 8″ round layers of my favorite Classic Vanilla Layer Cake.

I’ve mentioned it before… it’s humbug to add the extra step of lining the bottom of each pan with parchment paper and weighing it.  It’s worth it.  I never worry about the middle of the layer releasing from the pan.  Some baking supply stores sell pre-cut parchment rounds; look for those if your budget allows.

Also, the layers are even because each pan is weighed before pouring in the batter and again before baking.  Even layers make a difference, especially on a cake like this one.

I love the look of this sponge – it’s ideal.  I use cake flour in my vanilla cake – the crumb is very small (due to reduced protein in the flour) but the cake is strong and incredibly light.

It’s a habit to gently removed the browned top of this yellow cake.  When sliced, that small edge won’t be noticeable.

The advertisement’s instructions suggested slicing the rounds not in half but 1/4″ off center – so the two pieces would be graduated.

The Chocolate Fudge Buttercream was perfect for this recipe, it’s the perfect complement to the vanilla.  After filling two halves, I stood each up and applied filling in the middle.

I didn’t round off the outer edge though it was included in the instructions – I just wasn’t sure how much to take away.  The end product was close enough to the original that it would be up to the baker to sculpt or not sculpt.

The Homer Lauglin Fiesta Dinnerware Large Platter was wide enough for the cake, but it looked crowded.  Switching to the retired Double-Handled Server was a better choice.

This is where this cake didn’t follow the expected… bake, decorate, then slice cake.  In order to get the slice the correct size in relation to the plate and the cake, I had to slice it first then decorate.  Of course if this were going to be the center of my Easter Dessert Table, those details wouldn’t have mattered.

Next was piping the ‘lace’, jelly beans across the top, and Easter grass.

• The lace piping is Vanilla Buttercream
• The jelly beans are Peanut M&Ms
• The Easter grass is green tinted coconut

It’s really a kick in the pants to recreate these vintage designs.  This Easter Egg Bonanza is a genuine celebration of fun and fancy and Spring and family.  I can only imagine how many home bakers made this cake and presented it at their own Easter dinners.  I feel connected to them.

It’s a great day when I blog.

It’s a really amazing day when I’m sober and sharing this amazing life with my life partner husband.

It’s a fantastic reality that I enjoy the support of our people.