Igloo Cake Holiday Treat

This igloo cake takes center stage at any holiday gathering by combining festive fun with surprisingly simple preparation. Instead of the usual gingerbread house, this cake lets you show off your creativity while keeping things easy with packaged mix and ready-made frosting. It only takes about an hour to make, so it’s perfect when you want something impressive without tying yourself to the oven all day.

I remember making this during a chilly winter weekend when the kids insisted on a snow-themed treat. It quickly became the star of the table with everyone asking how it was made.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray: to ensure nothing sticks and your cake comes out clean
• All-purpose flour: for dusting pans preventing any sticking issues
• Vanilla cake mix: along with ingredients needed on the box for a reliable, fluffy base
• Vanilla frosting: adds sweetness and acts as the glue for decorations
• Blue gel food coloring: to give the frosting that icy, wintery feel. Use a gel variety for vivid color without thinning the frosting
• One store-bought cake donut: halved to form the igloo’s entryway – choosing a donut with a smooth surface helps with decoration
• Regular-sized marshmallows: to create the igloo’s distinctive snowy bricks. Fresh marshmallows work best for sticking well
• Mini marshmallows: for detail work around the entryway to keep the look consistent
• Crushed blue rock candy: mimics glittering ice crystals to add sparkle
• Confectioners’ sugar: for dusting to imitate fresh snow

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sculpt the Base:

Arrange your oven racks on upper and lower thirds and preheat to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan and an 8-inch ovenproof bowl with cooking spray. Lightly dust both with flour then tap out any excess. The bowl with a rounded bottom will shape your igloo dome.

Mix and Portion Batter:

Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions in a large bowl. Pour slightly more than half into the greased bowl. Pour the rest into the cake pan for a flat base. This layering forms the igloo’s shape.

Bake Separately:

Bake both in the oven, switching their positions halfway through for even cooking. The cake pan should take about 25 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. The bowl cake will need around 10 more minutes beyond that to bake through.

Cool and Level:

Once baked, invert both onto wire racks to cool fully. Use a serrated knife to level any domed parts for smooth stacking.

Color and Frost:

Mix blue gel food coloring into vanilla frosting until you get the icy blue shade you want. Frost the cake pan layer first, then place the dome from the bowl on top, flat side down. Cover the whole cake in frosting to create the igloo’s snowy surface.

Add the Entryway:

Take your donut halves and use frosting as glue to attach one half at the base of the cake as an entryway. Stack the other half in front and coat both with frosting.

Create Igloo Bricks:

Snip large marshmallows in half lengthwise with kitchen shears. Press the cut sides into the frosting starting at the bottom working up in close, even rows. This mimics igloo bricks beautifully and securely.

Detail the Entry:

Snip mini marshmallows the same way and press them into the frosting on the entryway for consistent texture.

Final Touches:

Sprinkle crushed blue rock candy around as icy crystals then dust confectioners’ sugar over the whole igloo for a fresh snow effect.

Bookmark

My favorite part is definitely cutting the marshmallows just right to fit as igloo bricks. It’s a little tedious but totally worth how magical the igloo looks. This cake always brings back fun memories of building snow forts as a kid and serving my family something just as cozy and seasonal.

Storage Tips

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep it fresh for up to three days. The marshmallows will soften a bit but remain delicious. For longer storage freeze uncovered for about an hour until firm, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you can’t find vanilla cake mix swap for white or yellow cake mix for a similar flavor. Cream cheese frosting can replace vanilla for a richer taste but skip adding blue food coloring unless you want teal. You can use mini marshmallows alone if large ones aren’t available, just adjust coverage accordingly.

Serving Suggestions

Pair slices with hot cocoa or warm apple cider for a cozy winter dessert experience. This cake is perfect as a centerpiece but also works well cut into wedges for sharing. Adding some festive sprigs of rosemary or edible snowflake decorations nearby can up the holiday vibe.

Cultural Context

Igloos traditionally reference the snowy homes built by Inuit people as shelters in Arctic regions. This cake pays homage with its construction and snowy look but in a sweet, approachable way perfect for the holidays. It’s a modern twist on winter-themed baking that brings a playful edge to classic festive decorating.

Pro Tips

• Plan your assembly so the cake is completely cool before frosting or the marshmallows won’t stick well
• Use kitchen shears to cut marshmallows instead of a knife. It gives a cleaner edge for brick-like shapes
• Don’t skip dusting the pans with flour after spraying. It makes releasing the dome from the bowl much easier and keeps the shape intact

Common Recipe Questions

→ How do I achieve the igloo shape?

Using an ovenproof rounded bowl to bake part of the cake creates the dome shape. Combining this with a flat round cake forms the igloo’s base and rounded top.

→ What is the purpose of blue gel food coloring in the frosting?

It gives the frosting a cool, icy blue tint to mimic frozen snow and enhance the wintry aesthetic of the dessert.

→ How are the marshmallows used on the cake?

Large marshmallows are snipped in half and pressed into the frosting to resemble ice blocks covering the igloo’s surface, while mini marshmallows decorate the entryway.

→ Can I substitute the donuts used for the entryway?

Yes, any similarly shaped or sized pastry can be used to create the entrance, but cake donuts provide the perfect texture and form.

→ What decorating tips create the snowy effect?

Lightly dusting confectioners’ sugar over the finished cake and adding crushed blue rock candy enhances the illusion of snow and icy crystals.

→ Is store-bought cake mix suitable for this dessert?

Store-bought cake mix simplifies preparation without sacrificing taste, allowing efficient assembly and baking.