GBBO Edible Technicolor Stripe Boater Cake Recipe

Shopping list

• 400 g unsalted butter — softened

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• 400 g caster sugar

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• 8 eggs large eggs

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• 2 tbsp vanilla bean paste

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• 400 g self-raising flour

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• 2 tsp baking powder

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• 4 tbsp whole milk

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• 6 tubes different gel food dyes — Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple

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• 200 g unsalted butter — softened

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• 200 g caster sugar

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• 4 eggs large eggs

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• 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste

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• 200 g self-raising flour

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• 1 tsp baking powder

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• 2 tbsp milk

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• 1 tube gel dye — bright yellow

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• 250 g softened butter

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• 500 g icing sugar

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• 1 tbsp milk

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• 1 unit clean 8-inch cake board — for support

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• 3 units wooden dowels — for support

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• 500 g rolled fondant — turquoise or hot pink

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Step by step

1. 1

   Preheat & Prep: Heat oven to 170°C (150°C Fan). Grease and line six 8-inch round tins (crown) and one 10-inch square tin (brim).

2. 2

   Crown Batter: Beat 400g butter and 400g sugar until fluffy. Beat in 8 eggs one by one with a tablespoon of flour, stir in vanilla, then fold in 400g flour, baking powder, and milk.

3. 3

   Colour: Divide batter into 6 bowls; dye each a distinct rainbow hue (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple).

4. 4

   Bake: Mix yellow brim batter with 200g butter ingredients and electric yellow dye, pour into the square tin. Bake layers for 20- 25 mins and the brim for 30 mins until a skewer comes out clean.

5. 5

   Rest: Cool in tins for 15 mins, then rest on a wire rack for 3 hours minimum to firm up for carving.

6. 6

   Brim: Trim square cake flat. Use an 8-inch plate to cut an 8-inch circle, then a 4-inch bowl in the centre to create a ring-shaped brim.

7. 7

   Crown Stack: Stack the six cooled rainbow layers with thin buttercream smears between them to form a striped cylinder.

8. 8

   Hollowing: Carve a deep cylindrical cavity straight down the centre, leaving a 1-inch outer wall and solid base so it fits comfortably on the head.

9. 9

   Buttercream: Beat 250g butter, 500g icing sugar, and milk for 5 minutes until smooth.

10. 10

    Locking: Place the yellow brim on a board. Secure the hollowed rainbow crown over the centre hole using 3 vertical wooden dowels driven down into the brim.

11. 11

    Crumb Coat: Coat the exterior with buttercream and chill for 30 minutes.

12. 12

    Ribbon: Roll 500g turquoise fondant to 3mm thickness and cut a long strip for the hat band.

13. 13

    Finish: Wrap the band around the crown base with a front bow, smooth edges, and chill until ready to wear!