#! 🐜🎂
Get ready to dig into a family-friendly adventure as we bake up a caterpillar-comfy, fabulously fun and scrumptiously sweet Ant Mound Cake! Gather your tiny chefs, and let's scurry into the kitchen!
Ingredients
Cake Base:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (swap with a gluten-free flour if needed)
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened (plant-based butter works too!)
- 1 cup sugar (try coconut sugar for a twist!)
- 1 egg (or 1/4 cup applesauce for egg-free!)
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vinegar (let’s make it fizz!)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or dairy-free yogurt!)
Ant Mound Assembly:
- 3 sticks butter at room temperature
- 1 can dulce de leche (oh-so-sweet!)
- 1/2 cup toasted chopped nuts (or sprinkles if you prefer extra color!)
- 1 Tbsp poppy seeds for decoration (just like tiny rocks on the mound!)
Love and Fun: 🥰✨
- Love: The magic ingredient you mix in to make everything sweeter.
- Fun: Remember to sprinkle joy and laughter into every step!
Instructions
1. Mix It Up! 🎉
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the softened butter and mix with your hands (get those wiggles going!) until crumbly. This is where you let the ants in to help—just kidding, they’re not real ants! 😄
2. Add the Sweet Stuff! 🍭
Beat the egg in a small bowl until it’s fluffy and bright. Mix it into the flour mixture with a good old-fashioned wooden spoon. It’ll be like mixing soil for the ants’ new home!
3. Fizzing Action! 🌟
Pour the vinegar over the baking soda in a tiny bowl (watch out for the fizzy magic!). Mix it in with the sour cream, then add it all to the dough. If it’s too sticky, dance around and add a bit more flour until you get cookie-dough consistency.
4. Chill Out! ❄️
Wrap the dough in plastic and send it to the fridge for 1 hour. Let it cool and dream of becoming an anthill!
5. Grind to Perfection! 🍪
Break the dough into smaller pieces. Using a meat grinder (or grater if you don’t have one), turn the dough into long, thin strands. Place them on a baking sheet and let them bake at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes! You want them golden brown, just like an ant tan!
6. Crunch Time! 🌰
When they’re cool, break the baked strands into crumbly bits—just like the ground around an anthill! Toss them in a big bowl with chopped nuts (or sprinkles for a party!) and mix ‘em up.
7. Creamy Ant Hill! 🍯
In another bowl, mix your room-temperature butter with dulce de leche until smooth. It’s time to combine! Pour that creamy goodness over your crumbly mixture and stir like you’re rushing to serve an anthill feast!
8. Shape Your Mound! 🏔️
On a big platter, transform your mixed mound into an anthology of joy! Mold it high like an ant hill and sprinkle with poppy seeds for the "dirt".
9. Chill Again! 🥶
Cover your beautiful creation and pop it into the fridge to set for at least 3 hours (but overnight is best!).
Fun Bug Fact!
Did you know that ants can carry more than 20 times their weight? That’s like you lifting a big bag of groceries! So channel your inner ant and lift your spirits as you dig into this cake! 🐜✨
Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is needed for using the oven and meat grinder. Call an adult chef to help you with that!
Complexity Level: 🐞 Medium (Adult Help Required)
Can you top off your ant hill with even more fun decorations? Try using gummy ants or chocolate chip eyes to make it come alive! 🐜👀
Snap a pic of your Ant Mound Cake Adventure and tag @BugZooInc on Instagram! We can’t wait to see your creations buzzing with creativity! 🐝💖
THE END.
Thanks for Fluttering, Slithering, and Crawling to the Bug Zoo! 💥 We’re so glad you landed on our Bug Zoo Flower 🌸💖 to help us pollinate the world with love for all things 'bugs'
**If you are looking for some Canadian Peace River Honey, honey -- Click HERE. 🐝✨ Great for baking and eating straight out of the honey tub!
*Take pictures of your bug-tastic creations before they disappear into hungry mouths! Happy baking and let the bug adventures begin! 🐞✨ 🐞 Follow us on Instagram for more bug-tastic fun!@BugZooInc
We’d love to hear from you—whether you’re planning an event or just want to share your bug-tastic adventures! Reach out to the Bug Zoo Team anytime.
📧 Email: bug.zoo@outlook.com
📬 Address: Box 41076, RPO Woodgrove, Nanaimo, BC, V9T 6M7 CANADA
Let’s keep spreading the sweet sweet buzz together! 🐞 Life is Sweet!