Ski Mountain Cake

Name: Ski Mountain Cake
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 3 h 55 min
Yield: 12 - 16 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for pans; 2 3/4 c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for pans; 6 oz. white chocolate, chopped; 2 tsp. baking powder; 1/2 tsp. baking soda; 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; 1 1/2 c. granulated sugar; 3 large eggs, at room temperature; 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract; 1 c. whole milk; 4 oz. white chocolate, chopped; 2 c. (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 5 c. confectioners’ sugar; 1/4 c. heavy cream; Green food coloring; Fresh rosemary, for garnish; 1 c. confectioners’ sugar, sifted; 1 tbsp. meringue powder; 1 tbsp. black gel food coloring; Black sprinkles for skis

This super fun cake is perfect for any wintertime celebration!

By Beth BranchPublished: Dec 11, 2024

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a ski mountain cake that has ski runs and trees made of icing and little skiiers on the top and sides

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Yields:

12 - 16 serving(s)

Prep Time:

1 hr 30 mins

Total Time:

3 hrs 55 mins

Celebrate the snowy season with this towering layer cake. Ribbons of frosting make the slopes and trees, with fresh rosemary sprigs thrown in for added flair. Have a piece when you come in from a day on the slopes or make for your holiday party and listen to everyone oooh and awww while they plan their next ski vacation!

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Ingredients

For the White Chocolate Cake:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for pans
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for pans
6 oz. white chocolate, chopped
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk

For the White Chocolate Frosting:

4 oz. white chocolate, chopped
2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Green food coloring
Fresh rosemary, for garnish

For the Skiiers:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 Tbsp. meringue powder
1 Tbsp. black gel food coloring
Black sprinkles for skis

Directions

1. Step 1Make the cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour three 8-inch cake pans. Melt chocolate in a bowl in microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds; stir. Continue to microwave and stir, in 10-second intervals, until melted and smooth. Cool slightly.
2. Step 2Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Beat butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and milk with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly beat in flour mixture just until combined. Beat in melted white chocolate. Transfer batter to prepared pans, dividing evenly.
3. Step 3Bake until cakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 23 to 25 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes; then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Step 4Make the White Chocolate Frosting: Melt chocolate in a bowl in microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds; stir. Continue to microwave and stir, in 10-second intervals, until melted and smooth. Cool slightly. Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar, scraping down sides as necessary, until fully combined, about 1 minute. Beat in white chocolate. Beat in vanilla, cream, and salt, about 1 minute. Transfer 1/2 cup frosting to a bowl; add a few drops of green food coloring and stir until evenly colored.
5. Step 5Make the Skiers: Whisk together confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, and 1 tablespoon room-temperature water with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in black food coloring until evenly colored. Transfer icing to a piping bag fitted with a small, round tip. Place skier template underneath a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper. Using the template, pipe the form of a skier and immediately add sprinkles for skis. Repeat desired number of times. Let dry for 2 to 4 hours.
6. Step 6Assemble cake: Remove domed cake tops, if desired. Place one cake layer on a cake stand or plate. Top with 3/4 cup frosting, spreading to the edge. Repeat with remaining layers. Frost sides of cake. Transfer 1 1/2 cups frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star piping tip. Starting at the bottom of the cake, pipe up and over onto the top, stopping in the center to make a ski slope; pipe three to four lines for each ski slope. Repeat as desired.
7. Step 7Transfer 1/2 cup frosting to a piping bag fitted with a small star piping tip. Pipe ski trail lines between the slopes as desired. Transfer green frosting to a piping bag fitted with a small French star tip. Pipe small trees over the top and sides of the cake. Add small pieces of rosemary to mimic trees. Use the tip of a knife or offset spatula to carefully remove dried skiers from parchment paper. Place skiers on ski slopes.