KOREAN BENTO CAKE: ADORABLE MINI CELEBRATION IN A BOX

Key Info

Prep Time: 20-30 minutes

Cook Time: 20-25 minutes

Total Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

Servings: 2-5 people

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Diet: Vegetarian (Vegan Option Available)

Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• 4-inch round cake pans
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack
• Piping bags
• Offset spatula

Ingredients

Cake Batter

• 150g self-raising flour
• 0.5 tsp baking powder
• 75ml vegetable oil
• 150g caster sugar
• 2-3 large eggs
• 150g yogurt
• 50ml milk
• 0.25 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract

Frosting

• Softened butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Preparation Method

1. Prep Ingredients

• Measure all ingredients precisely
• Preheat oven to 180°C (356°F)
• Line cake pans with parchment paper

2. Make Cake Batter

• Cream sugar and eggs until pale
• Whisk in oil, yogurt, milk, vanilla
• Gently fold in dry ingredients
• **Avoid overmixing**

3. Bake Cake

• Pour batter into prepared pans
• Bake 20-25 minutes
• **Check doneness**: Golden color, springs back when touched
• Cool completely on rack

4. Prepare Frosting

• Beat butter until creamy
• Gradually add powdered sugar
• Mix in vanilla
• **Consistency should be smooth and spreadable**

5. Assemble Cake

• Place first layer on parchment
• Pipe frosting border
• Add thin layer of jam/filling
• Repeat for 2-3 layers
• Crumb coat entire cake
• Chill briefly

6. Decorate

• Apply final frosting layer
• Create design with piping
• Add optional garnishes

Crucial Tips

• Cool cake completely before frosting
• Chill cake between layers
• Use room temperature ingredients
• Don’t overbake

Storage

• Refrigerate in sealed container
• Best within 24 hours
• Consume within 3 days

Variations

• Flavor options: Chocolate, Matcha, Red Velvet
• Vegan substitutions available
• Customize with different frostings/fillings

Pro Tips

• Use electric mixer for smooth batter
• Sift dry ingredients
• Pipe clean, precise decorations
• Choose cute, minimalist design

Dietary Notes

• Vegetarian
• Vegan adaptable
• Contains: Wheat, Eggs, Dairy

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overmixing batter
• Baking at wrong temperature
• Frosting warm cake
• Inconsistent layer thickness

Enjoy your adorable mini celebration cake!