Why is it called Bento Cakes?
Bento is a Japanese word that means convenient. Bento Boxes were used in Japan for carrying a single serving of food for lunch. Furthermore, the Bento cake was originated in the 12th century in Japan. Today, it is famous as the no share cakes or mini cakes and are the new go-to cakes.
Also Bento cakes or lunchbox cakes are little cakes that are perfect for individual serving. Bento box cakes are adorable minimalist Korean cakes
What is the different between Bento Cakes and normal cakes?
Bento cakes are mini cakes, not more than four inches in diameter and come nestled in a takeout box. They were first popularised by South Korea and are commonly found in almost all Korean cafes and bakeries.
What you need
These adorable little cakes are so easy to make. They do not require a lot of ingredients and the hardest part (which really isn’t even that hard) is the assembly.
Prepared Cake Mix
For the cake, pick your favorite boxed cake mix. It is as simple as that. You can choose whichever flavor you would like too. ( Watch the video for more process)
You will want a 15-22 oz box to make enough of these lunchbox cakes. But other than that, there really is no requirement for which cake mix you should get. Check the Bento Cake Recipe
Top tip: Buy different flavors of cake mix to have multiple flavors of cakes!
Simple Syrup
Simple syrup makes everything better. It is sweet and tasty and just overall the best. Check out my Simple Syrup recipe, which is perfect for this lunch box cake recipe
Cake Decorations
These are completely optional, but they make this recipe, and a lemon pudding bundt cake, even more fun. I’ve seen bento cakes that have fancy decorations or some that go with the minimalistic vibe. Either way, it is completely up to you when it comes to how you want to decorate (if at all) your cakes.
How to make it
Preparing Cakes
* Prepare a 12×17 inch half sheet pan with cooking spray then press a piece of parchment paper onto it
* Spread the prepared cake batter into the pan
* Bake at 350 degrees for 20-24 minutes or until the top is golden brown
* Let cool completely
* Using a butter knife, loosen all the edges around the entire pan then cover with parchment paper and a wire cooling rack and flip the sheet pan to release the cake
Assembling Bento Cakes
* Beat butter on medium speed with paddle attachment for 30 seconds until smooth then add in vanilla extract and continue mixing on low until completely mixed and incorporated
* Slowly mix in the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time stopping at 1 1/2 cups to add in the heavy cream and finishing by adding the remaining powdered sugar and continue mixing on a low speed until the ingredients are fully incorporated
* Using an 8-inch circle biscuit type cookie cutter, cut out 12 circles of cake and set aside onto the wire cake rack
* Put a 9 inch square of parchment paper onto the surface you will be frosting on and top with just a touch of frosting then add the first cake circle on top of it and drizzle with 1 teaspoon of simple syrup
* Frost that first cake layer by spreading an even layer of vanilla buttercream on top of the cake and smoothing evenly
* Add the next cake layer on top that frosting and drizzle with another teaspoon of simple syrup then proceed to frost the entire cake with a thin layer (crumb coat) of buttercream and smooth with a spatula or scraper
* Continue until all your cakes are made then chill in the freezer for 10 minutes until the frosting is firm then remove and cover the cakes with a thicker layer of vanilla buttercream and smooth (if you prefer) then chill 10 more minutes in the freezer
* Carefully lift both cakes off the cake boards using the parchment paper and place them inside the bento containers
* Use the remaining buttercream to separate into different colors for decorating your cake by placing them in piping bags with different tips (you can even use gel frosting or sugar letters to write a message)
How to store leftovers
Buttercream frosted cakes can last in the fridge for up to a week and up to a month in the freezer. Let the frosting harden a bit before placing plastic wrap loosely around the cake.
Watch this video tutorial of Bento Cakes
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