Cozy Quilt Patchwork Cake (Printable)

Colorful squares of sponge cake woven with buttercream for a vibrant, comforting dessert centerpiece.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sponge Cake

01 - 2 ⅞ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
03 - 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 4 large eggs
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
09 - Food coloring gels (red, yellow, green, blue, purple)

→ Buttercream Frosting

10 - 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
11 - 4 cups powdered sugar
12 - 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
13 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
14 - Pinch of salt

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line five 8x8 inch square baking pans, or plan to bake in batches if pans are limited.
02 - In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
04 - Alternate adding the dry mixture and milk to the creamed butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing.
05 - Divide the batter evenly into five bowls. Tint each portion with a different food coloring gel.
06 - Pour each colored batter into the prepared pans and spread evenly. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes before turning out onto wire racks to cool completely.
08 - Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, continuing to beat until fluffy. Add milk as needed to reach a spreadable consistency.
09 - Trim the edges of each colored sponge cake and cut into uniform 1¼ x 1¼ inch squares.
10 - On a large tray, arrange the colored squares in an alternating pattern to create a patchwork effect. Use a thin layer of buttercream as adhesive between squares to join them. Build layers by alternating colors for a quilted appearance.
11 - Apply a thin layer of buttercream over the top and sides of the assembled layers, smoothing the surface. Optionally, pipe buttercream lines to enhance the patchwork design.
12 - Refrigerate the finished cake for 30 minutes to set the frosting before slicing and serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that feels like you spent all day in the kitchen, but actually comes together beautifully in just a few hours
  • The soft, buttery sponge stays incredibly moist thanks to the milk and creamy frosting binding everything together
  • You can customize the colors to match any occasion—from birthday parties to holiday gatherings—making it endlessly personal
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable—cold butter won't cream, cold eggs won't incorporate, and the whole texture suffers. Take everything out 30 minutes before you start
  • Gel food coloring is your friend; liquid coloring will thin your batter and give you muddy colors that don't have that stained-glass brilliance
  • Don't skip the cooling time between baking and assembly—a warm or even lukewarm cake will crumble when you cut it, and the frosting won't hold the squares together
03 -
  • Keep your knife clean and warm between cuts by dipping it in hot water and wiping it dry—this gives you clean lines and keeps the frosting from dragging
  • If you're worried about the structural integrity of your stacked squares, insert a few toothpicks vertically through the layers once you've assembled them; remove them before serving
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