In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Monster Cake is a curious dish made with Tabantha Wheat, Goat Butter, Cane Sugar, and Monster Extract. While we can't get our hands on that last ingredient, we can bake a real-world version that captures its spooky, delicious spirit.
This recipe creates a rich, dark chocolate cake with a deep purple hue and a cream cheese frosting, perfect for any fan of Hyrule's more adventurous cuisine. It's surprisingly tasty, with no dubious side effects.
Ingredients for Monster Cake
This recipe is broken down into the cake itself and the frosting used for decoration. The secret to the color is a natural ingredient that adds moisture without affecting the chocolate flavor.
For the Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup hot coffee or hot water
- 1/4 cup beet puree or 1 teaspoon ube extract (for color)
For the Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple food coloring (gel works best)
How to Bake Your Monster Cake
Follow these steps carefully to create a cake worthy of Fang and Bone. The process is straightforward, even for beginner bakers.
Step 1: Prepare the Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and beet puree or ube extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Carefully pour in the hot coffee and stir until the batter is smooth. It will be thin.
Step 2: Bake the Cakes
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Make the Frosting and Assemble
While the cakes cool, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until combined, then on high speed until fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract. Reserve about half a cup of white frosting. Tint the remaining frosting with purple food coloring until you reach your desired shade. Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate, spread a generous layer of purple frosting on top, then add the second cake layer. Frost the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining purple frosting.
Step 4: Decorate Your Creation
Transfer the reserved white frosting to a piping bag with a small round tip. Pipe two small, upward-curving horns on top of the cake. For the full effect, you can also pipe two small white dots for eyes on the side of the cake. Let the frosting set for about 30 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of beet puree?
Ube extract is an excellent alternative for a vibrant purple color. You can also use a high-quality purple gel food coloring, but the beet puree adds a lovely bit of moisture.
Does the coffee make the cake taste like coffee?
No, the coffee enhances the flavor of the chocolate, making it richer and deeper. You won't taste the coffee itself. You can use hot water if you prefer to avoid caffeine entirely.
How do I store the Monster Cake?
Because of the cream cheese frosting, the cake should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Key Takeaways
- Monster Cake is a fictional dessert from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
- This real-world version is a rich, moist dark chocolate cake.
- Beet puree or ube extract provides the signature purple color naturally.
- The recipe uses a simple cream cheese frosting for decoration.
- Store the finished cake in the refrigerator due to the frosting.
Related Reading
- Real-World Recipe: How to Make Spicy Sautéed Peppers from Zelda
- Real-World Recipe: How to Bake the Stolen Sweet Roll from Skyrim
- Real-World Recipe: How to Make Pink Cake from Stardew Valley