Zit Cake Recipe

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If your curiosity often leads you down a less-trodden path, then you’re in the right place! I’m super excited (and a tad nervous) to share a truly unique culinary creation — the Zit Cake. Yes, you heard me right! This unconventional treat, which has taken the internet by storm, replicates the somewhat bizarre satisfaction that comes from popping zits but in an entirely gastronomic context. Originally made famous by a baker in Malaysia, I stumbled upon this intriguing dessert and couldn’t resist diving into the nitty-gritty of how to recreate it at home. It combines elements of edible art with a touch of dermatological twist that makes each serving a memorable experience.

What is Zit Cake?

Zit Cake is a unique and somewhat controversial dessert known for its realism in mimicking human skin with pimples. Made popular for a dermatologist, the cake features multiple layers representing different layers of skin, complete with hair follicles and several zits.

Ingredients:

For the cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For the frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the ‘zit’ filling:

• Custard or vanilla pudding (to mimic pus)
• Red food coloring (for inflammation effect)
• Edible gelatin (to add a 3D look to the zits)

For the skin-tone fondant:

• Pre-made fondant
• Gel food coloring (to match skin tone)

Instructions:

Make the Cake:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans and line with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat together the sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Add milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, and mix well.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
5. Carefully add boiling water to the batter and mix well until smooth. The batter will be thin.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the cakes cool completely in the pans on a wire rack.

Prepare the Frosting:

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, alternating with splashes of heavy cream. Beat in the vanilla extract.
3. Continue to beat until you have a smooth, spreadable frosting. If it’s too thick, add more cream; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.

Assemble the Zit Feature:

1. Once the cakes are cool, carefully cut out several small, shallow circles (you’ll fill these with the custard or pudding).
2. To create an inflamed zit impression, dye a portion of the custard or vanilla pudding with a touch of red food coloring.
3. Fill the circles with the tinted custard.

Layer and frost the cake:

1. Place the first cake layer on your serving platter and spread a layer of frosting on top.
2. Gently place the second layer on top, being careful not to press down and squeeze out the ‘zit’ filling.
3. Frost the outside of the cake with the remaining frosting, smoothing out for an even coat.

Create the Skin-Tone Fondant:

1. Knead your fondant until pliable, and tint with gel food coloring to match your desired skin tone.
2. Roll out the fondant to cover the cake and apply it carefully, molding it around the ‘zits’ you’ve created for a realistic skin texture. If desired, use a fondant tool or toothpick to add pores or hair.
3. For an added effect, make a small mixture of edible gelatin and water to create a clear, gel-like substance. This substance can be dabbed on top of the filled ‘zits’ for a glossier look.

Tips:

• Get creative with the presentation! For added effect, consider making a ‘nose’ or ‘face’ shape.
• When handling fondant, ensure your hands are clean and dry to avoid any unwanted marks or colors on your fondant.
• To create a popping effect, make your pudding-filled ‘zit’ cavities deep enough so that guests can ‘squeeze’ the cake and have the custard ooze out.
• Practice food safety – remember the ‘zit’ custard is perishable, so keep that in mind regarding how long the cake is displayed before being eaten.
• When choosing a filling, vanilla pudding is recommended due to its color and texture resembling that of pus.

What to serve with

Serving a Zit Cake can be quite the conversation starter, but deciding what to pair with such an eccentric dessert can enhance or balance the experience.

Beverages:

• Milk: A classic pairing with any chocolate dessert. Milk can help cleanse the palate and neutralize the rich flavors of the cake.
• Coffee or Espresso: The bitterness of coffee can complement the sweetness of the cake and frosting. Serve it black, or add cream to draw a parallel to the ‘pus’ of the zit cake.
• Fruit Juices: Bright and tangy juices like orange or raspberry can provide a refreshing contrast to the dense cake.

Complementary Sweet Treats:

• Vanilla Ice Cream: Plain vanilla ice cream is always a good choice when serving a rich, chocolatey cake. It can help balance out the heavy flavors and add a different texture.
• Fruit Compote or Berries: A side of fresh berries or a tangy fruit compote can counterbalance the sweetness and provide a colorful presentation that offsets the shock factor of the cake.
• Whipped Cream: Offering a dollop of whipped cream alongside a slice of cake can give guests a lighter-tasting option.

Themed Snacks:

• Jalapeño poppers can serve as a savory precursor or side to the Zit Cake, keeping with the ‘popping’ theme.
• ‘Surgical’ Snacks: Use medical or surgical-themed utensils and serve snacks that resemble medical supplies, such as gummy worms in a petri dish, for a playful and eerie element.

Finger Foods (For a Casual Event):

• Savory Canapés: If you’re serving at a party, various canapés can offer a nice savory balance before the dessert.
• Cheese Platter: A selection of fine cheeses with crackers can cleanse the palate and offer a more sophisticated flavor profile to your gathering.

Ingredients Substitutes

Given its unique thematic presentation, creating a Zit Cake might not veer too far from traditional cake recipes in terms of ingredients. However, customizing it to suit dietary preferences or accommodate ingredient shortages can be a thoughtful approach.

Flour

• Gluten-Free Option: A gluten-free all-purpose flour blend can replace regular flour cup for cup. Brands like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur offer alternatives that work well in cakes.
• Almond Flour or Coconut Flour: You can use almond flour or coconut flour for a grain-free option, but remember they’re not a 1:1 substitute. Almond flour can be closer to a 1:1 ratio, but coconut flour is more absorbent, so you’ll need less of it and potentially more liquid.

Sugar

• Coconut Sugar: A more natural sweetener that can replace white sugar in a 1:1 ratio but will slightly alter the flavor and color of your cake.
• Maple Syrup or Honey: To use a liquid sweetener, reduce the amount of liquid called for in the recipe by about 3 tablespoons for each cup of syrup used. Also, reduce the oven temperature by 25°F to prevent overbrowning.

Eggs

• Flaxseed or Chia Eggs: To replace one egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let the mixture sit until it becomes gelatinous.
• Applesauce: Use a quarter cup of unsweetened applesauce to replace one egg. This also makes the cake moister.

Butter

• Coconut Oil: Can be used in a 1:1 ratio for butter, but it will bring a slight coconut flavor to your cake.
• Vegetable Oil: Generally works in a 1:1 ratio as well, making cakes a bit more moist than butter.

Milk

• Almond Milk, Soy Milk, Coconut Milk: Any of these can be used as a 1:1 substitute for milk, but depending on which you choose, they may slightly alter the flavor of the cake.

Chocolate or Cocoa Powder (for chocolate Zit Cake)

• Carob Powder: Carob can replace cocoa powder in a 1:1 ratio but will make the cake sweeter and slightly change the flavor profile.
• Dutch-processed cocoa Powder can substitute natural cocoa powder one-for-one, offering a smoother flavor. However, due to its alkalinity, adjusting baking powder amounts may be necessary.

The ‘Pus’ (usually custard or cream)

• Vegan Custard: This can be made using plant-based milk and cornstarch or agar-agar as a thickener instead of eggs and milk.
• Dairy-Free Cream: Coconut cream can substitute dairy cream for a vegan version. Blend cold coconut cream until it’s whipped, and sweeten it with powdered sugar if desired.

Final Thoughts

When choosing what to serve with your Zit Cake, keep your guests’ preferences and the tone of your event in mind. The goal is to ensure that every element of your service complements the experience, from the shock of the cake’s appearance to the enjoyment of tasting it along with well-chosen accompaniments.

More Cake Recipes:

• Hear Me Out Cake Recipe