There is a special kind of magic in bringing a digital favorite into the real world, especially when it involves chocolate. My grandmother always said that if you’re going to bake a cake for a special occasion, it should taste as good as it looks. This recipe captures that iconic blocky look that gamers love, but underneath the decoration is a tender, reliable chocolate cake that offers honest comfort in every bite.
You don’t need to be a professional decorator to pull this off. We are using a sturdy chocolate base and a simple marzipan technique that feels a lot like playing with clay. It is a forgiving project that results in a delicious, moist cake that actually tastes better the next day, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the process.
Why You’ll Love This Minecraft Cake
This isn’t just a novelty; it is a genuinely delicious dessert. The combination of rich chocolate sponge, sweet cherry jam, and almondy marzipan creates a classic flavor profile that feels sophisticated yet comforting.
It is also incredibly sturdy. Unlike delicate chiffon cakes that might sag under decoration, this butter-based cake holds its square shape perfectly. It is the kind of bake that invites you to slow down, measure your ingredients, and enjoy the simple satisfaction of building something wonderful from scratch.
Print
Minecraft Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 mins
- Yield: 12 servings
Description
This Minecraft-inspired chocolate cake combines a rich, buttery sponge with tart cherry jam and a sweet marzipan finish. It is a sturdy yet moist dessert that perfectly recreates the iconic blocky aesthetic for gamers of all ages.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups white sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1/2 cup cherry jam
- 2 cups chocolate buttercream frosting
- 8 ounces marzipan
- Red food coloring
- Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch square cake pans.
- Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer for about 4 minutes until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk, mixing gently until just combined.
- Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Trim the cake tops to flatten them. Place one layer on a plate, spread with cherry jam, and top with the second layer. Frost the entire cake with chocolate buttercream.
- Color a small piece of marzipan red. Roll out the remaining plain marzipan on confectioners’ sugar, cut to fit the cake top and sides in a notched pattern, and apply. Use the red marzipan to create the “pixel” squares on top.
Notes
To achieve perfectly clean lines on your marzipan decoration, try chilling the marzipan for 15 minutes before rolling it out. This prevents the edges from fraying when you cut the block patterns. Always ensure the cake is completely cool before frosting to prevent the cherry jam and buttercream from sliding.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Simple Pantry Staples
We keep things grounded with ingredients you likely have in your cupboard right now. The base is a classic chocolate butter cake, and the decoration relies on marzipan rather than fondant for a better taste.
- Unsalted Butter: Make sure it is softened to room temperature for that light, fluffy crumb.
- Cocoa Powder: A standard unsweetened cocoa gives this cake its deep chocolate flavor.
- Cherry Jam: This adds a lovely tartness between the layers, cutting through the sweetness of the frosting.
- Marzipan: Used for the iconic top and red specks. It tastes much better than fondant and is easy to mold.
- Milk & Eggs: Basic dairy to add moisture and structure. Room temperature is best here too.
How to Build Your Block
Step 1: Prep Your Pans
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9-inch square cake pans generously and dust them with flour. This ensures your square layers come out with sharp corners, ready for stacking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Sifting is an important step here—it breaks up any cocoa lumps and ensures an even, tender crumb. In a separate measuring cup, combine your milk.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and white sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is pale, light, and fluffy. This usually takes about 4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to build a strong emulsion, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Make the Batter
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk. Mix gently after each addition just until combined. This gentle hand keeps the cake tender. Divide the batter evenly between your two prepared pans.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key here; a cool cake is easier to trim.
Step 6: Assemble the Layers
Once cool, trim the tops of the cakes to make them perfectly flat. Place one layer on your serving plate, spread it with cherry jam, and top with the second layer. Cover the top and sides with chocolate buttercream, reserving a little bit for glue later.
Step 7: Create the Pixel Look
Color a small piece of marzipan red. Roll out the remaining plain marzipan on a surface dusted with confectioners’ sugar and cut a square to fit the top of the cake. Cut strips for the sides, notching them to look like the game texture, and press them gently onto the cake. Finally, use the red marzipan and reserved frosting to add the “pixel” specks on top.
Jesse’s Tips for Success
For the cleanest cuts on your marzipan, chill it slightly if your kitchen is warm. It makes handling the “pixels” much easier and prevents them from stretching out of shape. Also, if you are making this for a gaming-themed party, you might also want to look at our Roblox cake for more digital inspiration.
This cake is quite sturdy, which makes it perfect for making ahead. I actually find the flavor of the chocolate and the texture of the almond marzipan meld beautifully if let to sit overnight in a cake keeper. It saves you stress on the day of serving and ensures a moist, flavorful slice.
Make It Your Own
While this recipe sticks to the classic in-game look, you can easily adapt the flavors to suit your family’s taste. If cherry jam isn’t a favorite, raspberry or strawberry preserves work just as well and keep that fruity contrast.
For the decoration, if you want to expand your landscape, you can take inspiration from other blocks. For instance, I’ve seen bakers create amazing grass blocks—check out this guide on how to make a Minecraft grass block cake for a different textured look using frosting. You can also browse our party cakes and events section for more simple ideas that impress without the stress.
Serving Up a Slice of Adventure
This cake is rich, so a simple glass of cold milk or a warm cup of black coffee is the perfect accompaniment. It is sturdy enough to be served on napkins if you are hosting a casual kids’ party, but it looks elegant enough on a plate for dessert.
If you have a sibling who prefers something different, you might consider baking a car cake to keep the theme going with different shapes. The joy is in sharing these fun creations together.
The Final Block
Baking this cake is a reminder that simple ingredients can build something memorable. Whether it is for a birthday or just a fun weekend project, the result is a comforting, delicious treat that brings a smile to everyone’s face. If you are looking for another fun project, try our simple aesthetic dog cake next.
We would love to see your creations! Share your cakes with us on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. Happy baking!
