Ninja Turtle Birthday Cake Tutorial

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Birthday Cake

Unleash your inner cake decorator and delve into the exciting world of custom cakes with this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) birthday cake. The mainstay of this recipe is a two-tier vanilla and chocolate cake, artistically designed to delight any TMNT fan. It’s an exciting and visually stunning culinary tribute to everyone’s favorite pizza-loving, sewer-dwelling superheroes that is perfect for a 5th birthday or TMNT-themed party.

Instructions for template:

Google photos of the character you want. (or use the template used in this recipe)

Copy the photo. 

Open up Power point and paste the photo in a blank document

Insert – Shape – Circle

Make the circle the size of the top of the cake (6 inch, 8 inch, etc)

Remove the “fill”

Expand or decrease the photo of the character to fit inside of the circle

Send the character “backward” or “to the back”

Print the character in greyscale or color

Cut out the template

What ingredients do you need for this teenage mutant ninja turtle birthday cake?

Prebaked Cake

Frosting

Gel Colors (Green, Brown, Black, Orange, Red)

How Do You Make this teenage mutant ninja turtles cake?

Crumb coat the cake and set it in the freezer for at least 30 mins

Remove from fridge and using a tooth pick trace the outline of the template

Trace the inside of the template with the toothpick as well (this will outline face on the cake)

Remove the template and place cake back in the freezer while making colors

Dye buttercream your chosen colors:

Green = ½ cup buttercream

Black = 1-2 heaping table spoons

Mask Color = 1-2 heaping table spoon

Red = 1 tbsp spoon

Fit 3 piping bags with couplers and a small star tip (tip 10 or 12)

Add frosting to bags

Pipe the mask first, short squeezes of buttercream.  Stop squeezing before lifting to move on if your frosting has a “tail” meaning its too long.

Then pipe the face.

Add the tongue.

Outline in black

Pipe the eyes. 

Design the sides however you’d like.  

Using a cake comb is a quick and simple to elevate the side.

Important notes:

It’s much easier to decorate a frozen cake.

Use a soft buttercream, I use American Buttercream and let it whip for 10-15 mins to make it super creamy and easy to pipe.

Why This Recipe Works

A Ninja Turtles birthday cake is the perfect union of delicious cake and creative artistry. This means that there’s something for everyone, no matter what their preferred cake flavor is. The black fondant decorations, which include pizza slices, turtle heads, and a sewer lid, are not only fun to make but also bring an eye-catching element to the cake.

FAQs

Can you make this recipe with kids?

Absolutely! While some parts may require adult supervision (like baking the cakes), kids will definitely enjoy helping with the decorations.

What are the topping options?

The sky’s the limit. The standard design includes pizza slices, turtle heads, and a sewer lid, but feel free to add more if you’d like. You could consider edible glitters, fondant stars, or TMNT action figures to bring extra “Turtle Power” to your cake.

Tips and Tricks

Be sure to place the cake on a metal plate or a sturdy inch cake board for support.

Variations

While the classic TMNT cake is a two-tier cake, you could opt for a single tier if you prefer. You could also switch up the flavors – how about a red velvet sewer lid or caramel turtle heads?

Where to Serve

This cake is perfect for a TMNT party, a 5th birthday celebration, or just to surprise your little guy or girl who loves the ninja turtles.

Storage

The cake should be stored in a cool, dry place, and preferably under a cake dome. It’s best to consume it within 2-3 days for the freshest taste.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Problem: Fondant is tearing or cracking

Avoid rolling your fondant too thin. If your fondant starts to dry out, knead in a bit of shortening to restore its elasticity.

Problem: Cakes of different sizes are baking unevenly

Different size cakes require different baking times. Use a toothpick to check the doneness of each cake to avoid over or under-baking.

Problem: Frosting is not smooth on the sides of the cake

Achieve a smooth finish by applying a thin crumb coat first. Let it chill in the refrigerator, then apply a second, heavier coat of frosting.

Remember, when it comes to custom cakes, patience is key. Enjoy the process, and happy baking! Your Ninja Turtles birthday cake is bound to be the star of any TMNT party, embodying both delightful flavors and outstanding aesthetic appeal. Channel your inner cake decorator and let your creative spirit roam free, all the while knowing you’re creating a work of edible art your little guy will remember forever. Turtle power!

What are some other fun kid friendly cake recipes to try?

• The Most Adorable Bluey Cake Tutorial
• Barbie Cake | Princess Doll Cake Recipe
• The Best Chocolate Harry Potter Birthday Cake

If you are looking for some more amazing cake recipes be sure to check out this comprehensive list: The Most Delicious Cake Recipes For Dessert!

Pin it for later!

If you enjoyed this recipe be sure to check out my Instagram Page for the latest posts! 

Before you go, check out these great posts!

Easy and Fun Super Mario Mushroom Cupcakes

Chocolate Chip Birthday Cookies Recipe

Homemade Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops Recipe