Football Cake

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/13/21
Football Cake

 Kristina Vanni
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Total: 65 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Yield: 1 cake
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
800 Calories
42g Fat
105g Carbs
5g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 800
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 42g 53%
Saturated Fat 22g 111%
Cholesterol 69mg 23%
Sodium 556mg 24%
Total Carbohydrate 105g 38%
Dietary Fiber 4g 15%
Total Sugars 78g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 4mg 23%
Potassium 120mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Your Super Bowl party just got a little sweeter! With one easy tip, you can make a football cake to serve at your next game day bash. Simply bake your favorite chocolate cake in a round cake pan. Once it is cooled, cut a strip from the center of the cake. When you remove the strip and press the two sides together the cake has formed the shape of a football. You can even make edible "grass" for the football field by tossing sweetened coconut flakes with a few drops of green food coloring.

You can also make football cupcakes if you want something guests can easily serve themselves.

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Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup cold water

  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil

  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Frosting:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

  • 3 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar

  • 1/4 cup heavy cream

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

For the Decoration:

  • 2 cups sweetened coconut flakes

  • Green food coloring

Steps to Make It

Note: While there are multiple steps to this recipe, this cake is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for preparation and cooking.

Make the Cake

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 9-inch-round cake pan with nonstick baking spray. Set aside.

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. 

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the cold water, vegetable oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract.

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients, stirring until combined.

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  6. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  7. To assemble the cake, use a serrated knife and cut a 2-inch-wide strip down the center of the cake. Remove the strip and set aside. 

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  8. Place both sides of the cake on serving platter and push the 2 sides together to form a football shape.

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

Make the Frosting and Decorate the Cake

  1. Beat the softened butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat until no lumps remain. 

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  2. Add the heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until combined.

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  3. Reserve 1 cup of white frosting and set aside. To the remaining frosting, add the cocoa powder and beat until combined. 

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  4. Frost the outside of the cake with the chocolate frosting.

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  5. Place the white frosting in a piping bag fitted with a flat tip and pipe lines and laces on the cake.

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  6. Place the shredded coconut to a resealable plastic bag with a few drops of green food coloring. Shake and knead the bag until the coconut looks like grass (add more coloring as needed).

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  7. Sprinkle the green coconut “grass” on the serving platter around the football cake. 

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  8. Chill until ready to serve.

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni

  9. The remaining cake and frosting can be cut into squares and served on the side.

    Football Cake
     Kristina Vanni