Galactic Ganache Galaxy Cake a Birthday Star

Galactic Ganache Galaxy Cake A Stunning Milky Way Birthday

By Emily CollinsSeptember 14, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever felt like baking something truly out of this world? Our Stunning Milky Way Birthday Cake is exactly that. Honestly, the rich chocolate paired with dreamy, galactic buttercream? Simply divine.

Brief Overview

The Galaxy Cake Design may look intimidating, but don't worry! It's easier than you think. This cosmic confection is perfect for a Space Themed Birthday Party Cake .

It takes about 3 hours and yields 12-16 servings.

Main Benefits

This cake isn't just visually appealing; it's got a fantastic chocolate kick. The swirling buttercream makes every slice a mini universe. It's the ultimate Universe Birthday Theme cake.

Getting Started: What You'll Need

Alright, let's dive into the ingredients. For this Cosmic Birthday Cake , you'll need the usual suspects for a chocolate cake, including flour, cocoa, sugar, eggs, and buttermilk.

We'll also need ingredients for the ganache and that all-important Buttercream Galaxy Design . Don't forget the edible glitter!.

Chocolate Cake: The Foundation

You'll be making 2 x 9 inch round cakes. Make sure they are leveled. This makes the cake look really good.

The chocolate cake itself is super moist. I like to add coffee. It really brings out the chocolate flavor.

Galaxy Ganache: A Smooth Start

The Chocolate Galaxy Cake Recipe starts with a luscious ganache. It uses bittersweet chocolate and heavy cream. Heat the cream, pour it over the chocolate, and whisk until smooth.

Let it cool a bit before using. Trust me , the ganache is key .

Buttercream Dreams: Nebula Cake Magic

Now for the fun part! The Nebula Cake look comes from the buttercream. Soften your butter and whip it with powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla.

Divide it into bowls and tint with gel food coloring. Think blue, purple, pink, and a touch of black. It is best to use an Edible Glitter Cake .

Assembling Your Universe: Celestial Cake Decorating

Frost the cake, creating a swirling effect with the different colored buttercreams. Pipe stars with various piping tips. Finally, generously sprinkle with edible glitter.

Chill for at least 30 minutes. This lets the buttercream set. It's all about that wow factor, isn't it?

Gear Up for a Galactic Bake Off!

So, you're ready to create a Stunning Milky Way Birthday Cake ? Awesome! Let's talk ingredients and equipment. Don't worry, it's not rocket science! This galaxy cake design may look intimidating.

But with a few key things, you'll be well on your way to creating something out of this world for a space themed birthday party cake .

Main Ingredients

Chocolate Cake:

All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250g) . Adds structure.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: ¾ cup (75g) . Choose a good quality one!
Baking powder: 1 ½ teaspoons . For lift.
Baking soda: 1 ½ teaspoons . More lift!
Salt: 1 teaspoon . Balances sweetness.
Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200g) . Sweetness, obviously.
Packed brown sugar: ½ cup (100g) . Adds moisture and flavour.
Vegetable oil: ½ cup (120ml) . Keeps it moist.
Buttermilk: 1 cup (240ml) . Tender crumb.
Large eggs: 2 . Room temperature is key!
Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons . Flavour boost.
Boiling water: 1 cup (240ml) . It is a game changer, believe me.
Brewed coffee: 2 tablespoons . Enhances chocolate flavour.

Chocolate Ganache:

Bittersweet chocolate: 12 ounces (340g) . Finely chopped.
Heavy cream: 1 cup (240ml) . The richer, the better!

Galaxy Buttercream (for that nebula cake effect):

Unsalted butter: 1 cup (2 sticks) (226g) . Softened, seriously .
Powdered sugar: 4 cups (480g) . Sift it to avoid lumps.
Heavy cream: ¼ cup (60ml) . Makes it smooth.
Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon .
Gel food coloring: blue, purple, pink, black. For the universe birthday theme .
Edible silver or gold glitter. Essential for that cosmic birthday cake look.

Seasoning Notes

We want to bring this buttercream galaxy design to life, so, for flavour, good quality vanilla is a must. Coffee really elevates the chocolate.

For colour, gel food coloring gives you the most vibrant shades. I always go with gel, honestly! And don't skimp on that edible glitter cake !

If you don't have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Trust me, it works!

Equipment Needed

Two 9 inch round cake pans.
Parchment paper. Stops sticking.
Electric mixer (stand or hand held). A must have.
Rubber spatula. For scraping the bowl.
Offset spatula. For frosting and achieving celestial cake decorating .
Piping bags (3-4).
Various piping tips (star, round). For creating those space themed cakes .
Cake turntable (optional). Makes frosting so much easier.

If you don't have a fancy turntable, just use a lazy susan. Who needs expensive kit, eh? Ready to make a chocolate galaxy cake recipe ? Let's bake!

Alright, let's talk cake, shall we? Specifically, a Stunning Milky Way Birthday Cake . Forget bog-standard sponge cakes. We're going interstellar with this Galaxy Cake Design !

Unleash Your Inner Cosmic Baker

Honestly, the thought of creating a Space Themed Birthday Party Cake can be daunting, but trust me, it's way easier than it looks.

It's all about embracing the chaos and letting your inner artist shine. This ain't just a cake, it is a piece of Celestial Cake Decorating magic.

Prep Steps: Beam Me Up, Scotty!

Essential mise en place: Get everything ready before you even think about turning on the oven. Butter, eggs, flour the whole shebang. Seriously, it saves a tonne of time.
Time saving organization tips: Weigh out your ingredients into small bowls beforehand. It's like having your own personal sous chef!
Safety reminders: Hot oven? Common sense applies, yeah? Oven gloves are your best mates. Don't be a hero.

step-by-step Process: From Zero to Galaxy in Nine Steps

Bake those bad boys: Follow the recipe to bake two chocolate cakes. 30- 35 minutes at 350° F ( 175° C) should do the trick.
Ganache time: Heat cream, pour over chocolate, whisk. Boom. Glossy ganache. Easy peasy.
Buttercream Galaxy: Make the buttercream. Divide it, colour it blue, purple, pink, black! This creates the Nebula Cake effect.
Layer up: Cake, ganache, cake. Simple.
Crumb coat: Thin layer of white buttercream to seal in crumbs. Chill for 30 minutes .
Galaxy Swirl: Apply the tinted buttercream, swirl it with an offset spatula. Don’t over blend! Let the Buttercream Galaxy Design flow!
Star Power: Pipe stars with the buttercream.
Edible Glitter : Dust that baby with edible glitter! It's essential for that Cosmic Birthday Cake look .
Chill Out: Chill for at least 30 minutes to set the buttercream.

Pro Tips: Level Up Your Cake Game

Don't overbake the cake . A dry cake is a sad cake. Use these Space Themed Cakes tips!
Embrace the swirl. It's okay if it's not perfect. Galaxies are messy!
You can make the cake layers a day ahead. Wrap them tightly and store them in the fridge.
Don't be scared of using plenty of Edible Glitter Cake dust.

So, there you have it, a guide to creating your own Stunning Milky Way Birthday Cake . The resulting Chocolate Galaxy Cake Recipe is sure to impress and is perfect for any Universe Birthday Theme .

Get baking. You've got this.

Recipe Notes for Your Stunning Milky Way Birthday Cake

Honestly, making this Cosmic Birthday Cake is more about the experience than perfection. Don’t stress if your Galaxy Cake Design isn’t NASA worthy.

It's all about fun, right? So, let’s dive into some helpful hints.

Presentation Perfect: Plating and Presentation Ideas

Okay, imagine this: dim the lights, light some candles. This Stunning Milky Way Birthday Cake deserves a spotlight. A simple cake stand will do.

Alternatively, garnish with fresh berries or a few strategically placed edible stars for some extra flair. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side never hurts.

I've even seen folks use dry ice to give it a smoky, ethereal vibe - pretty cool for a Space Themed Birthday Party Cake , eh?

Sidekicks and Sips: Complementary Sides or Beverages

Think simple but elegant. A light fruit salad cuts through the richness of the cake. For drinks, a chilled glass of milk or a strong black coffee is perfect.

You could even get fancy with a Universe Birthday Theme and make a galaxy themed mocktail with layers of different colored juices!

Keep it Fresh: Storage Tips

This Nebula Cake is best enjoyed fresh. Any leftovers of this Edible Glitter Cake can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

The buttercream might harden a bit, so let it sit at room temperature for a little before serving. Freezing is possible but the texture of the buttercream might change slightly.

Reheat gently if needed.

Remix Time: Variations

Fancy a twist on this Chocolate Galaxy Cake Recipe ? Swap out the chocolate cake for a vanilla one. Or, for a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend.

Feeling fruity? Add a layer of raspberry jam between the cake layers.

The Good Stuff: Nutrition Basics

I won't lie, this Buttercream Galaxy Design isn’t exactly a health food. But hey, it's a birthday cake! Each slice is roughly 550 calories, with about 30 grams of fat and 65 grams of carbs.

The good news is, it brings a smile to everyone's face, and that's priceless! Also, chocolate may have some antioxidant properties.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about making this totally awesome Stunning Milky Way Birthday Cake .

Give it a whirl, have some fun, and don't be afraid to experiment with your own touches for Celestial Cake Decorating .

You've got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

Help! My ganache is lumpy, what did I do wrong?

Don't panic, even Paul Hollywood has off days! Lumpy ganache usually means the chocolate and cream weren't properly emulsified. Try gently warming the mixture over a double boiler, stirring constantly, until it smooths out. If it's still being difficult, a tablespoon of butter can sometimes help bring it together.

It will all be alright in the end!

Can I make the Stunning Milky Way Birthday Cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! Baking the cake layers and making the ganache a day in advance can save you time. Wrap the cooled cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and store them at room temperature. The ganache can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Just be sure to bring the ganache to room temperature before using it, and give it a good whisk to restore its smooth texture.

I'm not confident with piping, are there easier decoration options for this Galaxy Cake?

Of course! Instead of intricate piping, you can achieve a similar effect by using a palette knife to create swirls and textures on the buttercream. A generous sprinkle of edible glitter is your best friend to hide any imperfections. You could also strategically place edible stars or candies for a fun, cosmic look.

Get creative!

How should I store leftover Stunning Milky Way Birthday Cake?

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cake should stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften the buttercream and enhance the flavors.

You can also freeze individual slices for longer storage, wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer safe bag or container.

Is there a way to make this Stunning Milky Way Birthday Cake healthier?

While it's a treat, some modifications can make it slightly healthier. You can reduce the amount of sugar in the cake and buttercream by a quarter. Using whole wheat flour or substituting some of the butter with applesauce can also lower the fat content. Though lets be honest, you deserve a treat!

Can I use a different type of chocolate for the ganache?

Yes, you can certainly experiment with different chocolates! Milk chocolate will result in a sweeter, milder ganache, while semi sweet chocolate offers a good balance. White chocolate, tinted with gel food coloring, could also create a stunning contrast in your galaxy design.

Just remember that the consistency might vary slightly depending on the type of chocolate used, so adjust the amount of heavy cream accordingly.