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Pocky Hedgehog Cake

Make this cute little hedgehog — complete with spiky, edible quills made from Pocky Chocolate sticks — with our easy step-by-step guide.

Ingredients

Food:

  • 2 cake rounds, cooled (choose any recipe you like)
  • Buttercream frosting (use the recipe included or 2 store-bought cans)
  • 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1 Tablespoon dark cocoa powder
  • Black food coloring
  • Large black gumball
  • 2 packages Pocky Chocolate sticks

Tools:

  • Offset spatula
  • Serrated knife
  • Fork
  • Plastic piping bags (and rubber bands to close them)
  • 2 Decorating tips (small round tips)

Instructions

Baking & Prep:

  1. Bake up your favorite cake recipe — you’ll need two round layers. Once the cake has cooled, use a serrated knife to level off the tops of each round.
  2. Next, make one large batch of buttercream. Beat the butter for a few minutes on medium speed, preferably using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. On slow speed, gradually add the confectioners’ sugar 1 to 2 cups at a time, allowing each batch of sugar to incorporate with the butter before adding the next. (Use less confectioners’ sugar for a slightly more buttery, looser frosting, or more confectioners’ sugar for a slightly sweeter, stiffer frosting.) Increase the speed to medium and add the cream and salt. Beat for an additional 3 minutes.
  3. From here, divide and flavor the buttercream according to the below:
  4. Additionally, you will need: an offset spatula, fork, 1 large black gumball, and 2 packs of Pocky Chocolate sticks. 

Assembly:

  1. Place the first cake round on a serving plate and frost with the lighter chocolate buttercream frosting. Layer the second cake round on top of the first.
  2. Use a serrated knife to cut off the sides, cutting about one-fifth off from each side. Make two additional cuts to the front of the rectangular shape (the body) to create a triangular shape for the nose. Set all of your cake scraps aside in a bowl.
  3. Use a serrated knife to cut off the sides, cutting about one-fifth off from each side. Make two additional cuts to the front of the rectangular shape (the body) to create a triangular shape for the nose. Set all of your cake scraps aside in a bowl.
  4. Add 1 spoonful of frosting into the bowl of cake scraps. Break down the mixture with your hands until the mixture is pliable and able to be molded without crumbling.
  5. Mold the mixture onto each side of the cake to complete the rounded shape of your hedgehog.
  6. Once the shape looks good, add another coat of frosting around the cake. Place the cake in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to allow the frosting to set.

Decorating:

  1. Outline a heart shape around the face using the bag of dark chocolate frosting. Pipe the frosting onto the back of the cake behind the outline, using long strokes across the rounded top and in the back. Use a spatula to smooth the frosting. Use a fork to add texture to the back for the fur.
  2. Next, break apart the Pocky sticks into short pieces for the quills.
  3. Insert the pieces into the back of the hedgehog.
  4. For the face, pipe on the eyes with white frosting. With the black frosting, pipe on eyebrows, a smile, pupils, and a small dollop to the nose before positioning the gumball in place.

Source: Food Network