Pull Apart Confetti Birthday Cake Bread Recipes

INSTANT POT CONFETTI BIRTHDAY CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Coat a 7-inch round cake pan with 3-inch sides with nonstick spray. Line the bottom of the pan with a parchment, coat the paper.
• Whisk together the flour, sprinkles, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl to combine.
• Beat the butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until pale yellow, 2 minutes. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat on high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the vanilla and egg, scraping down sides and bottom of the bowl, and continue to beat until creamy, about 2 minutes (the mixture will look curdled but will come back together after it has been beaten for 1 or 2 minutes).
• With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the sour cream in 2 additions, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Place two 18-inch pieces of twine criss-crossing one another on a clean work surface. Place the cake pan over the twine, then lay a clean dish towel over the top of the cake pan and tuck the ends under. Take the 2 ends of 1 piece of twine and tie them into a tight knot over the top of the cake pan. Repeat with the remaining twine so that you have two twine handles to support and lift the cake.
• Set a rack inside the Instant Pot® and add 2 cups water. Using the twine handles, place the cake inside the pot. Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high pressure for 40 minutes (see Cook's Note).
• After the pressure cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for natural release for 15 minutes and then quick release and wait until the cycle is complete. Be careful of any remaining steam and unlock and remove the lid.
• Lift the cake out of the pot. Cut the twine and unwrap the cake pan, then transfer to a wire rack. Let the cake cool in the pan, 30 minutes, then invert the cake onto a rack, peel off the parchment and let cool completely.
• Invert the cake again so that it is right-side up. Horizontally trim the top dome from the cake with a long serrated knife to create a flat surface. Slice the cake in half horizontally to make 2 layers. (Cake can be baked 1 day ahead.) Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
• For the buttercream: Beat the confectioners' sugar and butter with an electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape in the seeds from the vanilla bean, then add 2 tablespoons cream and continue to beat on high speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if necessary for a spreadable consistency.
• Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand or large plate. Spoon 1 1/2 cups buttercream over the top. Smooth the buttercream to the edge of the cake using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, creating an even layer. Place another cake layer on top. Spread the remaining buttercream over the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with sprinkles as desired.

TOWERING BIRTHDAY CAKE

Steps:

• For Chocolate Buttercream Frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer, blend butter, shortening and sugar with the paddle attachment until creamy. Add the cocoa to the butter mixture along with the milk and extract. Continue to mix until well combined. Turn off the mixer and gently fold in chocolate chips with a spatula. Set frosting in the refrigerator to firm up to a spreadable consistency while the cake is prepared.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray, including sides. Cut a sheet of parchment paper to fit the pan bottoms and lay in place. Then spray the paper.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter until smooth. Gradually add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, a little at a time. Stir in the vanilla until well blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients in 3 batches, alternating with the milk. Beat for 1 minute after each addition to incorporate the ingredients and strengthen the cake's structure. Mix until the batter is smooth.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pans and smooth the surface with a spatula, the pans should be 2/3 full. Place pans on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake springs back when touched.
• Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack, peel off the paper and let cool for at least 1 hour. Level the tops of the cakes with a serrated knife if domed in the middle. To divide each cake in half to give 4 layers: cut a vertical notch on the side of the cakes so you can easily line up the layers when assembling. Place one hand flat on top and the serrated blade along the side of the cake. Rotate the cake against the knife as you slice. Carefully separate the layers and brush away any loose crumbs. To make sugar glaze: combine sugar, water and rum in a small saucepan. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Brush the sugar glaze on the cake layers to moisten and add extra flavor.
• Put a cardboard cake round or plate on a lazy Susan; so it easier to turn and frost the cake. Lay 1 cake layer on the plate. With a metal spatula, spread about 1/2 cup of chocolate buttercream frosting on top of the base. Carefully place another cake layer on top. Do this for the remaining 2 layers.
• Frost the top and sides of the cake thoroughly. Refrigerate for 45 minutes before decorating or cutting.

SPICY CHEESY PULL-APART BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 6-inch cast-iron skillet with canola oil spray.
• Remove the biscuits from the package and lay them out on a clean work surface. Gently pull the layers apart at the middle to divide the biscuits in half. Gently pull each of the halves apart so you are left with four thin, round biscuits each (32 in all). Don't worry if any biscuits tear: just press the torn pieces back together.
• Place 1 teaspoon of the mozzarella in the center of each biscuit round; you will use about 1 1/2 cups of the mozzarella for this. Fold the dough around the cheese and roll into balls. Arrange the balls in a circle around the edge of the prepared skillet, then work your way in until you have completely filled the cast-iron pan with the dough balls. If you start to run out of room as you get closer to the center of the skillet, gently push the dough from the center towards the edges of the pan to make more space.
• Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted, stir in the scallions, garlic, red pepper and salt. Cook until the butter is just beginning to brown and the garlic is lightly toasted and very fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vinegar. Pour the melted butter evenly over the top of the dough and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella.
• Bake until the dough is cooked through and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Serve in the skillet.

RAINBOW SPRINKLE CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Heat oven to 325 degrees and place a rack in the center. Butter and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Butter the parchment. Flour the pans, coating the bottom and sides, then tap out any excess flour.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a small bowl, stir together milk and vanilla.
• In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and, with mixer running, slowly add egg and whites and beat until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape down bowl. Add half the flour mixture, then the milk mixture, then the remaining flour mixture, beating to blend after each addition. Scrape down bowl and blend once more. Remove bowl and use a spatula or spoon to mix in sprinkles by hand.
• Divide batter evenly between the pans and bake until the tops are just dry to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Rotate the pans halfway through baking.
• Transfer pans to a wire rack and let cool completely, at least 4 hours, before turning out.
• Make the frosting: In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, butter and salt together at medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and, with mixer running, slowly add sugar and beat until smooth. Beat in vanilla just until incorporated. Taste frosting; you should be able to taste the cream cheese and a little bit of saltiness, as well as the sweetness. If desired, add more salt or sugar. Keep refrigerated.
• Turn cooled cakes out of pans. Using a bread knife, cut off any domed or uneven parts of each cake to make flat surfaces. Place one of the cakes on a platter or a cake stand, cut side up. Using an offset spatula, frost the top. Stack the other layer on top, cut side down. Place remaining frosting on top of the cake and, working from the center outward, frost the top and sides of the cake.
• Place a baking sheet under the platter or cake stand, to catch any fallen sprinkles. Sprinkle the top with a layer of sprinkles. Toss remaining sprinkles at the sides of the cake, or press handfuls of sprinkles gently up the sides to make a thicker coating. Gather fallen sprinkles and repeat until coated to your liking.
• Refrigerate cake 30 minutes or longer to set. Serve cool.

PULL-APART BREAD

Steps:

• Spray a 12-cup fluted tube cake pan or 10-inch angel food (tube) cake pan with the cooking spray. In a large bowl, stir 1 1/2 cups of the flour, the sugar, salt and yeast until well mixed.
• In a 1-quart saucepan, heat the milk and 1/4 cup butter over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until very warm and an instant-read thermometer reads 120°F to 130°F. Add the milk mixture and the egg to the flour mixture. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, stopping frequently to scrape batter from side and bottom of bowl with a rubber spatula, until flour mixture is moistened. Beat on medium speed 3 minutes, stopping frequently to scrape bowl. With a wooden spoon, stir in enough of the remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, until dough is soft, leaves side of bowl and is easy to handle (dough may be slightly sticky).
• Sprinkle flour lightly on a countertop or large cutting board. Place dough on floured surface. Knead by folding dough toward you, then with the heels of your hands, pushing dough away from you with a short rocking motion. Move dough a quarter turn and repeat. Continue kneading about 5 minutes, sprinkling surface with more flour if dough starts to stick, until dough is smooth and springy.
• Place 1/4 cup butter in a small microwavable bowl; cover with a microwavable paper towel. Microwave on High 30 to 50 seconds or until melted.
• Shape the dough into 24 balls. Dip each ball of dough into the melted butter. Layer evenly in the pan. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place 20 to 30 minutes or until dough has doubled in size. Dough is ready if an indentation remains when you press your fingertips about 1/2 inch into the dough. Remove plastic wrap.
• Move the oven rack to a low position so that tops of the pans will be in the center of the oven. Heat the oven to 350°F.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool bread in pan 2 minutes. Place a heatproof serving plate upside down on pan; holding plate and pan with pot holders, turn plate and pan over together, then remove pan. Serve bread while warm, pulling it apart with 2 forks or your fingers.