Football (Soccer) Pitch Cake

Shopping list

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour — (315g)

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• 2.5 tsp baking powder

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• 0.5 tsp salt

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• 1 cup unsalted butter — (227g), softened

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• 1.75 cups granulated sugar — (350g)

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• 4 large eggs — room temperature

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• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

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• 1 cup whole milk — (240ml), room temperature

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• 1.5 cups unsalted butter — (340g), softened

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• 5 cups powdered sugar — (600g)

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• 4 tbsp heavy cream — (4–6 tbsp)

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• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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• 1 pinch salt — Pinch

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• 1 tube vibrant green gel food coloring

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• 1 tube white ready-to-use decorating icing — in a tube with a small round tip

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• 2 goals miniature goalposts — (can be purchased or made from white modeling chocolate/fondant)

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• 4 unit edible football sugar decorations — Optional

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• 4 unit small team logo wafer papers — Optional

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Step by step

1. 1

   Bake the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3- 4 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then stir in the vanilla. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients (mix just until combined). Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 35- 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

2. 2

   Prepare the Buttercream: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, alternating with a tablespoon of heavy cream. Once all sugar is incorporated, add the vanilla and salt, and beat on medium-high for another 2- 3 minutes until light and fluffy.

3. 3

   Frost the Pitch: Reserve about ½ cup of white buttercream for details if not using a tube. Tint the remaining large portion of the buttercream vibrant green using the gel food coloring until you reach the desired shade of 'grass.' Level the cooled sheet cake if necessary, then frost the entire top and sides of the cake evenly with the green buttercream. Use a spatula or a textured icing smoother to create a subtle grassy texture.

4. 4

   Pipe the Pitch Markings: Using the tube of white decorating icing (or your white buttercream piping bag with a small round tip), pipe the lines of the pitch onto the green frosted cake. First, pipe the perimeter of the pitch. Next, pipe the halfway line across the center. Pipe the center circle (use a round object like a bowl to lightly trace it first if needed). At each end, pipe the large rectangular penalty area and the smaller six-yard box inside it. Add the penalty spot and the arc at the top of the penalty area.

5. 5

   Add Final Details: Place the two miniature goalposts securely onto the goal lines at each end of the pitch. If desired, add edible sugar footballs or team logo decorations near the center circle or penalty spot to complete the scene.