Ultimate Harry Potter Cake Recipe with Butterbeer Buttercream

Step into the magical world with this iconic Harry Potter cake! Inspired by the sticky chocolate birthday cake Hagrid gave Harry on his 11th birthday, this recipe combines rich chocolate layers with luscious pink butterbeer buttercream and the famous green “Happee Birthdae Harry” icing. Whether you’re a dedicated Potter fan or baking for a magical birthday, this cake will bring wizardry to your celebration.

Ingredients

For the Sticky Chocolate Cake:

• 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup Dutch process cocoa powder (for rich color and flavor)
• 2 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temp
• 1 cup vegetable oil (adds moistness)
• 2 large eggs, room temp
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup hot water or coffee (enhances chocolate flavor)

For the Pink Butterbeer Buttercream:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp cream or milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp butterbeer syrup or butterscotch syrup (adds signature flavor)
• Pink gel food coloring (adjust for your desired shade)

For the Green Icing Lettering:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tbsp water or lemon juice
• Green gel food coloring

Equipment Needed

• Two 9-inch round cake pans
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Silicone spatula
• Piping bags and round piping tips for lettering
• Cooling racks

Step-by-Step Baking Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: To 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour cake pans.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: Flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, soda, and salt in a large bowl.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until incorporated.
5. Add Hot Liquid: Slowly pour hot water or coffee into batter and mix carefully. The batter will be thin; this is normal.
6. Bake: Divide batter evenly between pans; bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Cool: Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to cool completely.

Butterbeer Buttercream Frosting Recipe

1. Beat softened butter until creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low until combined.
3. Mix in cream or milk, vanilla, and butterbeer syrup.
4. Add pink gel food coloring a little at a time until desired shade is achieved.
5. Beat frosting on medium-high for a fluffy texture.

Decorating Tips and Tricks

• Apply a thin crumb coat using butterbeer frosting to seal crumbs.
• Chill cake for 20 minutes before applying a final thick layer of frosting.
• Use piping bag with small round tip to write “Happee Birthdae Harry” in green icing on top.
• For green icing, mix powdered sugar with water and green gel until pipeable consistency is achieved.
• Add rustic imperfections for an authentic Hagrid-style birthday cake or smooth it out for a polished look.

Hogwarts House-Themed Cake Variations

• Gryffindor: Red buttercream frosting with gold accents.
• Slytherin: Green chocolate ganache with silver piped details.
• Hufflepuff: Yellow buttercream with black piping.
• Ravenclaw: Blue and bronze frosting swirl.

Try swapping the butterbeer buttercream with chocolate ganache or cream cheese frosting for a twist!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Storage, Freezing & Make-Ahead Tips

• Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerate up to 5 days in airtight container.
• Prepare cake layers and frosting ahead; assemble and decorate on party day for best results.

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Sarah Yummyum Recipes

Magical Harry Potter Cake Recipe You’ll Love 2025

5 from 2 votes

This Harry Potter cake recipe features rich chocolate layers, authentic butterbeer buttercream frosting, and the iconic “Happee Birthdae Harry” lettering. Perfect for Harry Potter fans and magical celebrations!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Cooling Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Servings: 12

Course: Cake, Dessert, Holiday Dessert, Special Occasion Dessert

Cuisine: British

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• cup 1 Dutch process cocoa powder
• 2½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup hot water or hot coffee

Butterbeer Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp cream or milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp butterbeer syrup or butterscotch syrup
• Pink gel food coloring to desired shade

Green Icing for Lettering:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tbsp water or lemon juice
• Green gel food coloring

Equipment

• Two 9-inch round cake pans
• – Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Silicone spatula
• Piping bags and round piping tips for lettering
• Cooling racks

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, Dutch cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing thoroughly but gently.
5. Gradually stir in the hot water or coffee. The batter will be thin; this is expected and will make a moist cake.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.

Butterbeer Buttercream Frosting:

1. Beat softened unsalted butter until creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed, mixing well after each addition.
3. Add cream/milk, vanilla extract, and butterbeer syrup. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
4. Mix in pink gel food coloring, a little at a time, until you reach your desired shade.

Decorating:

1. Apply a thin crumb coat of butterbeer buttercream to seal crumbs. Chill for 20 minutes.
2. Apply a final, thick layer of pink butterbeer frosting smoothly over the cake.
3. To make green icing lettering, mix powdered sugar with water or lemon juice and add green gel coloring to pipe “Happee Birthdae Harry” on top of the cake using a piping bag with a round tip.
4. For a rustic look like Hagrid's cake, leave the frosting slightly uneven. For a polished look, smooth with a spatula.

Storing & Freezing:

1. Store at room temperature up to 2 days, covered.
2. Refrigerate for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
3. Freeze wrapped tightly for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before decorating.

Notes

– Use Dutch processed cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor.
– Use hot coffee instead of water to enhance chocolate taste.
– Substitute butterbeer syrup with butterscotch syrup or vanilla buttercream.
– For vibrant colors, always use gel food coloring.

Inspired by Harry Potter’s 11th birthday cake in the Sorcerer’s Stone, this recipe combines authentic flavors and magical presentation to delight fans and bakers alike!

Related Harry Potter Recipe Links

If you loved Harry Potter Cake, try these next:

• The Ultimate Guide to Cake Flavors DTI: Discover Red Velvet and Beyond
• Best Creme Brulee Cake Recipe (Irresistible Brûléed Topping & Creamy Custard)
• The Ultimate Orange Dreamsicle Cake Recipe (3 Ways: From-Scratch, Easy & Light)
• Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies You’ll Crave Forever

User Reviews & Comments

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Conclusion & Call to Action

Bring the magic of Harry Potter to your celebrations with this delightful Harry Potter cake recipe. Try it today and share your magical creations on Instagram tagging “MyHarryPotterCake”. Questions or tips? Drop a comment below!

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