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Homemade Gryffindor Layer Cake with alternating red velvet and golden buttercream layers, topped with edible gold stars and set on an elegant cake stand in a magical, warm glow.

Homemade Gryffindor’s Layer Cake: A Magical Harry Potter Dessert 🧙‍♀️✨

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Celebrate your Gryffindor pride with this enchanting red velvet layer cake, topped with creamy cream cheese frosting and shimmering golden decorations! This Harry Potter-inspired cake is perfect for themed parties, birthdays, or a fun baking adventure in the wizarding world.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 1012 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Red Velvet Cake Layers:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ cups buttermilk (room temperature)
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 tbsp red food coloring (gel preferred)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp white vinegar

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Decoration:

 

  • Edible gold dust or gold sprinkles
  • Gryffindor crest stencil (optional)
  • Red and gold fondant or ribbons

Instructions

1. Preparing the Red Velvet Cake Batter

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
  3. In another bowl, mix buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, vinegar, and red food coloring until smooth.
  4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.

2. Baking the Cake Layers

  1. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.
  2. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  3. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Making the Cream Cheese Frosting

  1. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until fluffy.
  3. Mix in the vanilla extract.

4. Assembling the Cake

  1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of frosting on top. Repeat with the remaining layers.
  2. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting around the entire cake, then chill for 15 minutes.
  3. Apply a final smooth layer of frosting and decorate as desired.

5. Decorating the Cake

  1. Lightly dust the top with edible gold dust or sprinkles.
  2. Use a Gryffindor crest stencil and edible food spray for a themed design.
  3. Add fondant decorations or red and gold ribbons for extra magic!

Notes

  • Storage Tips: Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days or freeze layers in advance for up to 1 month.
  • Customizations: Swap red velvet for chocolate cake or add orange zest for a citrusy twist.
  • Themed Ideas: Pair with Butterbeer or Chocolate Frogs for the ultimate Harry Potter feast!
  • Author: Serena Miller
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Themed, Fantasy
  • Diet: Vegetarian