Gatsby Cake & Fondant Flower Cake (Buttercake Base)

✨ Gatsby-Inspired & Flower Cake Duo

Looking for cakes that impress at any special event? This Gatsby cake tutorial walks you through two designs built on the same dependable buttercake recipe:

• A bold black, white, and gold Gatsby cake, perfect for milestone birthdays or weddings.
• A fondant flower cake, lighter in style, decorated with pastel fondant flowers.

This buttercake recipe is sturdy enough to hold fondant but still tender and moist inside. It's my go-to when I want a cake that looks as good as it tastes.

👉 Pro tip: This is also a recipe worth sharing! You can even mail it as a recipe card using The Letter Pilot — a simple way to send recipes to family and friends through the mail.

🎉 The Gatsby-Inspired Cake

This Gatsby-inspired cake is perfect for birthdays and weddings. The two-tiered design creates dramatic height and allows for flavor variety:

• Bottom tier: Red velvet for a rich, decadent base
• Top tier: Our reliable buttercake base that's fluffy yet sturdy enough for fondant
• Decoration: Black, white, and gold fondant with edible gold luster (lustre) mixed with rose spirit for authentic Art Deco glamour

The key to success is properly preparing your cake layers before decorating — level tops ensure stable stacking.

🌸 Spring-Inspired Flower Cake

Next, I decorated a spring-inspired buttercake with handmade fondant blooms. This design works beautifully for garden parties, Easter celebrations, or any occasion needing a softer touch.

The same buttercake base — using the simple melt & mix method — provides the perfect canvas. The texture is light yet dense enough to support both buttercream and fondant decorations.

Decorating alternatives: Fresh edible flowers, piped buttercream roses, or even fresh berries can replace fondant flowers for a different look.

🧈 Buttercake Recipe

Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 1 hr 20 mins | Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins | Servings: 12

Nutrition (per slice): Calories: 385 | Fat: 21g | Carbs: 47g | Sugar: 32g | Fiber: 1g | Protein: 5g

Ingredients:

• 2½ cups plain flour
• 1¾ cups caster sugar (superfine sugar)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1½ cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 250g butter, melted
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Flavor variations: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest for citrus notes, or replace vanilla with 1 tsp almond extract for a subtle nutty flavor.

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 160°C / 320°F. Grease and line a 20cm / 8-inch round tin with baking paper.
2. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. Beat for 2–3 minutes until smooth and well combined.
4. Pour into prepared tin and bake for 1 hr 20 mins, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
5. Cool in tin for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

🧁 Vanilla Buttercream

Ingredients:

• 250g butter, softened
• 2½ cups icing sugar, sifted
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Beat butter for 4–5 minutes until light and fluffy.
2. Gradually add icing sugar, milk, and vanilla.
3. Continue beating for 7–10 minutes until pale and soft.

Pro tip: For chocolate buttercream, add 3 tbsp cocoa powder with the icing sugar.

🌼 Fondant Flowers (Optional)

Supplies:

• Ready-to-roll fondant
• Gel food colouring
• Flower cutters

Method:

1. Divide fondant into portions and tint with gel colors.
2. Roll to 2–3mm thickness on a surface dusted with icing sugar.
3. Cut flowers using various sized cutters for natural variety.
4. Shape petals gently with a ball tool for dimension.
5. Keep unused fondant wrapped in plastic to prevent drying.

Alternative: Use store-bought sugar flowers or fresh edible blooms like pansies or violas.

🎂 Assembly & Decoration

1. Level the cake top using a serrated knife.
2. Slice horizontally into two even layers.
3. Place the bottom layer on your serving plate.
4. Spread a generous layer of buttercream on top.
5. Add the second layer, then crumb coat the entire cake with a thin buttercream layer.
6. Chill for 15 minutes to set.
7. Apply final buttercream layer, smoothing with an offset spatula.
8. Arrange fondant flowers or your chosen decorations.
   Tip: You can even share this recipe by mail using The Letter Pilot.

Tip: For the Gatsby cake, cover with rolled fondant before adding gold details.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze buttercake? Yes! Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.

How do you keep fondant flowers soft? Store fondant flowers in an airtight container at room temperature. Add a small piece of damp paper towel (not touching the flowers) to maintain moisture. For more fondant cake decorating tips, check out our other tutorials.

Can I make this cake ahead of time? Absolutely! The buttercake actually improves after a day. Bake it, wrap well, and decorate the next day for best results.
If you want to share the recipe, you can print & mail it with The Letter Pilot.

Both these cake designs showcase the versatility of this reliable easy buttercake base — from dramatic Art Deco styling to delicate garden party charm. The key is a sturdy yet tender cake that supports various decorating techniques.

Looking for more Gatsby cake recipe inspiration? This flower cake tutorial approach works beautifully for themed parties and special occasions.

Looking for more cake inspiration? This buttercake base adapts beautifully to our Almond & Coconut Cake for gluten-free guests.

For creative themed cakes, try our Maple Bacon Cupcakes or explore more chocolate birthday cake ideas.