The first time I laid eyes on a KitKat cake, I practically did a double-take. There it was, standing tall and proud – a chocolate cake completely surrounded by those iconic chocolate wafer bars, creating what might be the most irresistible fence ever invented. If you haven’t experienced the joy of a KitKat cake yet, you’re in for a serious treat.
What makes these cakes so special isn’t just their eye-catching appearance. It’s the perfect marriage of textures – the soft, moist cake inside contrasting with the crisp snap of KitKat bars around the perimeter. Add some M&Ms or other candies on top, and you’ve got yourself a dessert that’s practically impossible to resist.
What Exactly Is a KitKat Cake?
At its heart, a KitKat cake is essentially any cake that’s surrounded by standing KitKat bars around its circumference. The KitKats are typically attached to the frosted sides, creating a “fence” that not only looks impressive but also serves as an edible barrier to hold in additional toppings like candies, chocolates, or fruits that are piled on top.
The beauty of the KitKat cake concept is its versatility – while the classic version uses milk chocolate KitKats against a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, you can mix and match flavors to create countless variations. And despite looking like something from a professional bakery, these cakes are surprisingly accessible for home bakers of all skill levels.
Popular KitKat Cake Variations
The KitKat cake has inspired numerous delicious variations across the world. Here are some of the most popular takes on this beloved dessert:
Classic Chocolate KitKat Cake
The original and still incredibly popular – chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, surrounded by milk chocolate KitKats and topped with M&Ms or similar candies. Simple but effective!
White Chocolate KitKat Cake
For those who prefer a sweeter, creamier taste, white chocolate KitKats create a stunning contrast, especially when paired with a chocolate cake interior and colorful toppings.
Matcha KitKat Cake
Using Japan’s famous matcha green tea KitKats, this variation offers a sophisticated flavor profile that’s less sweet and visually striking with its green exterior.
Rainbow KitKat Cake
Perfect for children’s parties or colorful celebrations, this version uses different colored layers inside and sometimes alternates different KitKat flavors around the exterior.
Ice Cream KitKat Cake
A frozen variation that replaces traditional cake with ice cream layers, creating a refreshing dessert perfect for summer celebrations.
How to Make Your Own KitKat Cake
Creating your own KitKat cake is surprisingly straightforward, even for novice bakers. Here’s a simplified approach:
What You’ll Need:
- 2 round cakes of your preferred flavor (homemade or store-bought)
- Frosting (usually chocolate ganache or buttercream)
- 10-12 regular packs of KitKat bars (exact amount depends on cake size)
- Ribbon (optional, for tying around the KitKats)
- Toppings of your choice (M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, berries, etc.)
Basic Instructions:
- Stack and frost your cake layers as you normally would
- Cover the sides with a smooth layer of frosting
- Break KitKat bars into individual fingers
- Press the KitKat fingers vertically around the cake’s perimeter, using the frosting to help them stick
- Tie a ribbon around the cake if desired, to help secure the KitKats
- Fill the top with your chosen candies or decorations
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set
The beauty of making a KitKat cake is that the KitKat exterior actually hides any imperfections in your frosting job, making this an ideal “special occasion” cake even for those who aren’t expert decorators!
Pro Tips for KitKat Cake Success
After making several KitKat cakes myself, here are some tips I’ve gathered:
- Chill your frosted cake first – A slightly chilled, firm frosting layer helps the KitKats stick better
- Buy more KitKats than you think you need – Better to have extras than to run short (plus, snacking while baking is a perk!)
- Use a ribbon for stability – A decorative ribbon tied around the KitKats not only looks pretty but helps hold everything together until the frosting sets
- Consider height carefully – Standard KitKat fingers are about 4.5 inches tall, so plan your cake height accordingly
- Presentation matters – Keep KitKats in the fridge until ready to use so they don’t melt in your hands and lose their shine
Perfect Occasions for Serving KitKat Cake
The KitKat cake has become increasingly popular for all sorts of celebrations, and it’s easy to see why. Here are some perfect occasions for this show-stopping dessert:
Birthday Celebrations
The visual “wow factor” makes KitKat cakes perfect birthday centerpieces, especially for chocolate lovers. They’re particularly popular for children’s parties where the candy-covered appearance creates instant excitement.
Holiday Gatherings
By switching up the colors of your candy toppings, you can easily theme a KitKat cake for various holidays – red and green M&Ms for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, etc.
Office Parties
Need to feed a crowd? A KitKat cake is impressive yet easy to portion out, and the extra sweetness from all the candy toppings means smaller slices satisfy.
Just Because
Sometimes you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy something delicious. A KitKat cake is a fun weekend project that brings joy simply because…well, it’s cake surrounded by chocolate bars!
Why KitKat Cakes Have Taken Over Social Media
It’s hard to scroll through Instagram or Pinterest without eventually spotting a KitKat cake, and there are good reasons for their popularity. They hit that sweet spot of looking impressively professional while actually being accessible to home bakers. The visually striking design practically begs to be photographed, and the nostalgic element of using familiar candy bars appeals to all ages.
What’s more, the KitKat cake concept is endlessly customizable, allowing for personal expression while following a recognizable format. It’s the perfect combination of familiar comfort food and special occasion treat.
FAQ About KitKat Cakes
How many KitKat bars will I need?
For a standard 8-9 inch round cake, you’ll need approximately 8-10 regular size KitKat packages (not the minis). This gives you enough to create a complete fence around the cake.
Can I make a KitKat cake in advance?
Yes, but there are considerations. The cake itself can be made 1-2 days ahead, but I recommend attaching the KitKats no more than 24 hours before serving. Store in the refrigerator, but remove about 30 minutes before serving for best taste and texture.
How do I cut a KitKat cake?
The trick is to remove the ribbon (if used) and cut between the KitKat bars first. Then you can slice the cake normally without disrupting the design.
Will the KitKats stay in place?
As long as your frosting layer is adequate and you’ve chilled the cake properly, the KitKats should adhere well. The ribbon is an extra precaution that also adds to the presentation.
