Nothing screams birthday fun quite like a Dolly Varden Cake! This classic cake, featuring a doll in the centre with a beautifully decorated skirt, is a nostalgic favourite for many parents and an absolute delight for kids. The best part? You don’t need to be a professional baker to create one – this is a super easy and fun activity you can do with your little ones (like this artist cake!). With a few simple ingredients (most of which you can pick up from Coles), you’ll have a stunning and delicious cake ready in no time.
What is a Dolly Varden Cake?
The Dolly Varden Cake is a whimsical, doll-shaped cake that has delighted children for generations. Named after a character in Charles Dickens’ 1841 novel Barnaby Rudge, Dolly Varden became a fashion icon of her time—known for her colourful, voluminous gowns. The cake mimics this style, featuring a dome-shaped skirt made of cake, with a doll placed in the centre to complete the look. Over the decades, it’s become a beloved birthday tradition, especially popular for young children’s parties.
Ingredients:
- 3 x Coles mud cakes (or any ready-made cakes of your choice)
- 500g butter, softened
- 3-4 cups icing sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- Pink food colouring
- 1 x Dolly Varden doll (or any Barbie-style doll, ensuring the legs are wrapped in plastic wrap). You can buy a Dolly Varden doll here.
- Pink marshmallows (for decoration)
- Pre-made icing flowers (available at Coles, optional but pretty!) You can also buy sugar flowers here.
- Sprinkles, edible glitter or pearls (for extra sparkle!)
- Cake board or serving plate
Instructions:
Step 1: Stack and Carve the Cake
Start by stacking your three Coles cakes on top of each other. Spread a layer of buttercream between each cake to hold them together and add extra flavour. You’ll need to carve the cake into a dome shape, similar to a skirt. Use a serrated knife to gradually trim the edges, being careful not to remove too much at once. This is a great part for kids to watch and help with by collecting the cake offcuts (perfect for snacking!).
Step 2: Make the Buttercream
In a large bowl, beat together softened butter, icing sugar and milk until light and fluffy. Add a few drops of pink food colouring and mix until you achieve your desired shade. If your kids love different colours, you can even make a rainbow skirt effect by dividing the buttercream and colouring sections differently.
Step 3: Cover the Cake
Using a spatula or palette knife, spread a thin crumb coat of buttercream over the cake to catch any loose crumbs. Chill for 10-15 minutes in the fridge. Once set, add a thicker layer of buttercream, smoothing it over the entire cake. This is where kids can have fun spreading and swirling the icing to create texture!
Step 4: Add the Doll
Once the cake is fully iced, carefully insert the wrapped doll into the centre of the cake. If needed, carve a little more space so the doll sits securely. Make sure the buttercream covers any gaps where the cake meets the doll’s waist to create a seamless look.
Step 5: Decorate!
Now comes the really fun part! Let your little ones go wild decorating the skirt:
- Marshmallows: Line marshmallows around the base for a soft, ruffled look.
- Icing flowers: Stick pre-made icing flowers onto the buttercream to add a delicate, floral touch.
- Sprinkles, pearls & glitter: Scatter these across the dress for a magical effect.
You can also pipe extra details using a piping bag filled with pink buttercream. Create swirls, rosettes, or frilly ruffles to make the dress extra fancy!
Why Choose a Dolly Varden Cake for Your Next Celebration?
More than just a dessert, a Dolly Varden Cake doubles as a show-stopping centrepiece. It’s customisable to suit any theme: think princesses, barbies, fairies, ballerinas or even superheroes with a creative twist. Whether you’re planning a birthday party or a themed celebration, it’s guaranteed to add wow-factor and excitement.
Tools You’ll Need to Make a Dolly Varden Cake
Before you begin, gather the right tools. Using the correct equipment makes shaping and decorating much easier:
Popular Dolly Varden Cake Designs
Need some inspiration? These themes are always a hit:
- Classic Princess: Pink or lavender buttercream with rosettes and edible glitter
- Frozen Theme: Icy blue tones with snowflake fondant details
- Rainbow Surprise: Layered rainbow cake inside with bright ombré frosting
- Mermaid Vibes: Shell and scale piping, with turquoise and purple accents
Tips for Decorating Your Dolly Varden Cake
Decorating is where the magic happens! Here are a few pro tips to help you get it just right:
- Chill the cake before carving: it’ll be firmer and easier to shape.
- Use a crumb coat to lock in stray crumbs before applying your final layer of icing.
- Plan your piping design before you start. Sketch it out or use toothpicks to outline shapes on the cake.
Tips for Success:
- If you want a taller dress, you can add an extra cake layer.
- To achieve a super smooth buttercream finish, use a warm knife to gently smooth out any uneven spots.
- If you’re short on time, you can buy ready-made buttercream from Coles and simply mix in food colouring.
- Get creative! Swap pink for purple, blue or rainbow swirls to match your child’s favourite colours.
The Perfect Party Cake!
This Dolly Varden Cake is not only a showstopper at birthday parties, but it’s also a wonderful activity to do with kids. They’ll love helping with the decorating (and sneaking a few marshmallows along the way!). With minimal effort and a whole lot of fun, you’ll create memories and a delicious cake that everyone will adore. Enjoy!
Looking for more girls’ party ideas? We’ve got you covered!
