To celebrate the release of Cadbury mixed chocolate buttons, we asked Mumsnetters to get creative and come up with recipes for a buttons-inspired cake. The winning design? This show-stopping three-tier cake tower - with surprise polka dots hidden in every slice. Perfect for birthdays and special occasions, this super-impressive cake combines a vanilla sponge with chocolate cake pops, butter cream, heavenly chocolate ganache and - of course - chocolate buttons.<br /><br />INGREDIENTS<br /><br />For the cake pops:<br />100g flour <br />100g caster sugar <br />3 tablespoons cocoa powder<br />1⁄2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda <br />1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder <br />1⁄4 teaspoon salt <br />60ml buttermilk<br />3 tablespoons vegetable oil<br />1 egg<br />1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla paste<br />60ml Coffee<br /><br />For the vanilla cake (recipe given for one 6 inch round cake, repeated three times):<br />125g pack unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing<br />125g caster sugar<br />1/2 tsp vanilla paste<br />3 medium eggs mixed together<br />40g plain flour<br />Heaped Tablespoon Greek yogurt<br />125g self-raising flour<br />1.5 tbsp semi-skimmed milk<br /><br />For the buttercream:<br />250g butter<br />500g icing sugar<br />1 tsp vanilla paste<br />Milk until the right consistency <br /><br />For the milk chocolate ganache:<br />600g milk chocolate<br />500g double cream<br /><br />METHOD<br /><br />To make the cake pops<br />1. Heat oven to 180c. <br />2. Combine dry ingredients, then add buttermilk, vegetable oil, egg and vanilla. Fold together until smooth.<br />3. Add coffee and mix until combined. <br />4. Lightly brush cake pop mould with vegetable oil, then fill one tray with cake batter. Place the other tray on as a 'lid' and bake for 10 minutes at 180c, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. <br />5. Allow to cool, then pop them in the freezer while you prep the sponge - this'll stop your cake pops from overbaking later. <br /><br />To make the vanilla sponge (makes one, repeat for extra tiers)<br />1. Heat oven to 160C. Grease a deep, 6-inch round cake tin, lining the base and sides with non-stick paper. <br />2. Beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla together until it's fluffy, then pour in the eggs and mix in the yoghurt.<br />3. Fold the flour into the mixture, then add the milk and mix altogether.<br />4. Spread a thin layer of cake batter over the base of the tin followed by a layer of cake pops, then spoon the rest of the mixture evenly over the top.<br />5. Bake for approx 45 mins or until brown and a skewer inserted in the cake comes out clean. Leave to cool on wire rack.<br /><br />To make the buttercream<br />1. Beat butter and icing sugar together until fluffy, followed by the vanilla paste. Add a splash of milk to help get the right consistency, if you need it.<br /><br />To make the chocolate ganache<br />1. Heat the cream in a pan over a medium heat until steaming - but not boiling. Meanwhile, chop the chocolate and place in a glass bowl.<br />2. Take the pan off the heat, and add the cream to the chocolate chunks, stirring until it's melted together. <br />3. Leave to firm up - it should be smooth, but spreadable!<br /><br />Assembly<br />1. Trim the top of the cakes off with a bread knife, so you've got a nice flat surface of the sponge. Then pop it on the cake stand, where you can cover the top with butter cream.<br />2. Repeat with the next two sponges, stacking one on top of the other, then cover the whole tower in buttercream. Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up.<br />3. Cover the cake in chocolate ganache. Tip: heat your palette knife with a bit of boiling water, then dry it off, before you start spreading - it'll get your ganache extra smooth.<br />4. Decorate with Cadbury mixed chocolate buttons, using any leftover to decorate the cake stand. Devour!<br /><br />Like this? Subscribe to the YouTube channel for more Mumsnet content. New videos every week: http://tiny.mn/1k47ooT<br /><br />See more videos at http://www.mumsnet.com/video<br /><br />Mumsnet is the UK's biggest online network for parents. Join the conversation at www.mumsnet.com<br /><br />Like Mumsnet on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mumsnet<br />Follow Mumsnet on Twitter: @mumsnettowers
