We call this Thirteen Layer Cake because that’s how many layers I used to make. However, over the years, I’ve perfected it to ten layers, because, in my opinion, that’s the PERFECT ratio of cake to icing. That’s how I make it … but we never bothered to change the name.
Anyway, Thirteen Layer Cake sounds more dramatic.
You know how in the movie, “Napoleon Dynamite,” Pedro says he’s gonna “build a cake?” It sounds like a funny thing to say, but that’s what I feel like I’m doing when I make this.
So … let’s build a thirteen layer (actually ten) cake. 🙂
- 1 Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake mix
- 1 box (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 4 eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup oil
- 1 cup water
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup butter, melted
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 can (5 ounces) evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Adjust oven rack to center position, Generously grease and flour (or coat with non-stick spray for baking) 9-inch cake pans, and preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all cake ingredients, and beat for 2 minutes. Batter will be thick.
- Measure desired amount of batter (For 10 Layers ½ cup … For 13 layers 1/3 cup) into pans, and spread evenly. Avoid thin spots as much as possible.
- Place pans on center rack in oven, and make sure that they don’t touch each other or the sides of the oven. Bake for the appropriate amount of time (For 10 Layers 4 minutes ... For 13 layers 3 minutes), and immediately remove. Allow to cool in pans for 2 minutes; transfer to wire cooling racks until you can start covering with icing. Place the first layer on a cake plate and spread with icing. Repeat with each layer while it’s still warm.
- Combine all ingredients, and beat well. Spread 1-2 tablespoons on each layer of cake, making sure to cover all the way to the edge. The warmer the cakes are, the better it will spread, and the less you’ll need. When the last layer is placed, spread on sides, first, then top. Allow cake to cool completely (several hours or overnight) before cutting.
- 1. Work as quickly as possible because it works best if the cake layers are still warm when you ice them, and the icing needs to be kept warm because it sets up fast.
- 2. Make the icing BEFORE you start the batter, then cover it tightly, and place it in a warm place (I set mine in a larger bowl with about an inch of hot water in the bottom). This keeps it the right consistency. Be sure to stir well before spreading.
- 3. For 10 Layers: Put ½ cup batter into each 9-inch pan, and bake for 4 minutes. For 13 layers: Put 1/3 cup batter into each 9-inch pan, and bake for 3 minutes.
- 4. It helps if you have at least 2 (9-inch) pans. One at a time will also work, but will take twice as long. Don’t try to bake more than two layers at a time. It works best if you put two pans in the center of the oven, on the same rack, but not touching each other or the sides of the oven. If you have enough identical cake pans to have all the batter spread out before you start baking, it’s extremely helpful. It’s not necessary, but it really simplifies the process.
Adjust oven rack to center position, Generously grease and flour (or coat with non-stick spray for baking) 9-inch cake pans, and preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
If you have enough identical cake pans to have all the batter spread out before you start baking, it’s extremely helpful ~ not necessary ~ but less stressful once the baking starts.
However, before you start baking, you need to make the icing.
Start by melting
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter
Then …
… combine the following ingredients in a large mixing bowl:
4 cups powdered sugar
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter, melted
1/3 cup cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 can (5 ounces) evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Beat well.
Cover tightly, and then place that bowl in a larger bowl with 1 inch of hot water in the bottom (this will keep it warm and the right consistency ~ just make sure none of the water gets into the icing).
Set aside.
Now we can make the cake.
In a large mixing bowl, combine
1 Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake mix (I’ve tried using other brands, but this one works BEST)
1 box (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs, room temperature
½ cup oil
1 cup water
Beat for 2 minutes. The batter will be thick.
Measure desired amount of batter (For 10 Layers ½ cup … For 13 layers 1/3 cup) into pans, and …
… spread evenly to the edges.
This works best is you gently pull batter from the top.
Thin spots will burn, and “bald” spots will actually bake into a hole. So …
… make sure your batter is as evenly distributed as possible. Fill all the pans that you’re using BEFORE you start baking. Then …
… bake as follows:
Place pans on center rack in oven, and make sure that they don’t touch each other or the sides of the oven. My oven fits 2 at time.
Bake for the appropriate amount of time (For 10 Layers 4 minutes … For 13 layers 3 minutes), and immediately remove.
Allow to cool in pans for 2 minutes, and then …
… transfer to wire cooling racks until you can start covering with icing.
You’ll need to work QUICKLY because best results are achieved while the layers are still warm. However, don’t stress too much because your icing should still be warm in it’s little “bath.”
If you are using the same pans, make sure that they’re cool enough to touch, then quickly wipe them out, re-apply non-stick spray, and refill with batter. Repeat baking procedures.
While the next layers are baking, begin “building” your cake.
1. Put the first layer on a cake plate, and top with 1-2 tablespoons of icing. The warmer everything is, the less you’ll need.
2. Spread the icing in as thin a layer as possible.
3. Top with the next layer, and …
4. … repeat the icing.
5. Continue adding the rest of the warm layers as they come out of the oven, and …
6. … keep repeating with the icing.
7. When you add the last layer,
8. … frost the sides by scooping the the icing onto the edge and letting is drip down. Spread and smooth it.
Ice the top last, and …
… make pretty swirl designs in the frosting. Then let it cool completely.
This will take several hours or overnight, but it’s worth it.
Once it’s cool cover it.
When it’s ready to serve, the icing will be set and look a little wrinkled.
Slice, and …
… serve.
It’s incredibly delicious!