This Brownie Birthday Cake Idea couldn't get any easier. It's made with your favorite boxed brownie mix (really!), and simple powdered sugar. I love to rethink old favorites and make them more memorable. And stacking brownies on top of each other turns this into a unique dessert that is perfect for easy entertaining.
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A fun alternative to a traditional birthday cake
What is a brownie cake you might ask? It's a pan of brownies stacked to look like a tiered cake. Really. It's that simple.
I love to serve things in a new way at the parties I throw and this birthday brownie idea is such a fun way to add a special detail that the guests will love.
Related: Beer Brownies
Brownie towers can be seen taking the place of wedding and birthday cakes often, but of course, I had to make it even more simple. Instead of a brownies tower for a birthday try a tiered brownie cake instead.
Sure, you can serve a plain old cake. But why not serve a brownie cake? It's something you don't see every day, everyone (well, just about everyone) loves brownies and it's SO easy. So just make one, ok?
Just look at how cute it is!
Ingredients
- Your favorite boxed brownie mix
- Eggs
- Oil
- Water
- Powdered sugar
To make this 3 tiered brownie cake, I used two boxed brownie mixes. Stupid easy.
Just make sure to read the back of the box to see what other ingredients are needed for your mix.
Mine needed eggs, oil, and water.
And powdered sugar gives it a more finished look that is easy and perfect for people who don't decorate cakes well. (That's me. I am a terrible decorator!)
How to Make a Brownie Birthday Cake
Step 1
Prepare the brownie mixes as directed on the box and then pour them evenly into a 9", 6" and 4" cake pan.
They sometimes sell cake pan sets but I really think the top tier looks cutest when it is 4" instead of 6". That's totally my personal opinion though...
Also I am a big fan of using what you already have and I had a 4" pan.
Step 2
Once the brownies are cooked through, let them cool and remove them from the pans.
Step 3
Level the cakes. Because I am not a baker, I carried my cakes next door to have my fabulous neighbor level them for me.
This brownie cake is totally rustic so I probably could have done it myself, but I knew she would do it right the first time.
I know my limits and work around them...And I'm super lucky to have such talented people in my life.
Since this is a "naked" cake or brownie cake, rather, you'll see every little crack or crevice. Which isn't bad, just know this will be rustic!
I also could have had her make the top tier the same thickness as the other brownie layers, but I wasn't that worried about it.
Step 4
Stack the brownie layers.
Decide what you want to serve the cake on and then place the largest brownie layer as the base.
Try to stack the other layers in the center on top of each other.
Step 5
Top with powdered sugar.
What I love about a brownie cake is that there is no frosting. Frosting can get super messy and is another chance for something to go wrong.
I am the world's worst froster. I can't put on a crumb coat to save my life. So anyway around having to use frosting is the best. Don't get me wrong, I'll eat frosting all day long. I just don't want to have to put it on something.
If you want to frost this brownie birthday cake idea it would be delicious with my Vanilla Buttercream or my Cool Whip Frosting!
I used a light dusting of powdered sugar to finish the cake and it was all it needed. And to add an extra little boho touch, since this was part of my boho baby shower, I topped the brownie cake with a simple air plant.
Tools
Here's what you'll need to make this brownie birthday cake idea:
- Cake pans of various sizes: 9", 6" and 4".(You could also use this cake pan set.)
- Cake leveler
- Sifter
I also have an entire shop dedicated to some of my baking favorites that will help you perfect delicious desserts like this one every time!
Tips
- If you've never leveled a cake before (and you don't have a lovely neighbor to help), check out this tutorial from Serious Eats.
- If you don't want to worry about leveling, you could make a brownie tower instead by cutting pan of brownies into individual sizes and then carefully stacking them in a circular tower on top of each other.
This brownie cake is so easy to make but totally different from what you would normally find at a party. Plus it looks super celebratory. So instead of making your brownies in a dumb old pan, next time make this tiered brownie cake instead.
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More Easy Desserts from a Boxed Mix
- Delicious Sangria Cupcakes
- Easy Layered Chocolate Truffle Cake Recipe
- Strawberry Shortcake Dump Cake Recipe (Quick and easy!)
- Cake Mix and Cream Cheese Dessert Dip Recipe for Easter
- 46 Easy Cake Mix Desserts
Decadent Brownie Birthday Cake Idea
Equipment
- Cake pans of various sizes: 9", 6" and 4".
- Cake leveler
- Sifter
Ingredients
- 3 boxes Your favorite boxed brownie mix
- Eggs
- Oil
- Water
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the brownie mixes according to the instructions on the box.
- When they are done, let them cool and remove them from the pans.
- Level the brownie cakes.
- Stack the brownie layers.
- Top with powdered sugar.
Janis says
My granddaughter asked for brownies for her birthday cake- how boring! But I saw your 3 tiered brown one cake! It was a hit!
Wish I could send a pic of it!
Kelly says
Do you have the details on the cook time and temperature for the different sizes?
Sharon Garofalow says
I don't! I think it will depend on the size pans that you use. For the smallest size, I kept checking it with a cake testing pick. But it was thicker than the traditional cake pan so they took a similar time.