How to Make a Mannequin Cake
You will need:

• One recipe Vanilla Buttermilk Cake, or other preferred cake recipe
• One recipe Buttercream Frosting, or other preferred frosting recipe
• One doll torso
• One doll cake pan, or
• Fluted pans: 8”, 6.5”, 6”, 3.5”, 3”, 2.5”
• Heating core for 8” pan

Vanilla Buttermilk Cake for Mannequin Cake Layers
Adapted from Sky High by Alisa Huntsman and Peter Wynn
Ingredients:

• 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter at room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 whole eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
• 3 cups cake flour
• 4 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray the bottoms and sides of 6 fluted cake pans of graduating sizes, 8”, 6.5”, 6”, 3.5”, 3”, 2.5”. Spray a heating core both inside and place in center of 8” pan.
2. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
3. With a flat beater attachment, beat the butter until smooth and creamy, then gradually add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs and egg yolks one at a time beating each well after each addition.
5. Add 1/3 of the sifted dry ingredients, then 1/2 of the buttermilk. Repeat alternating with the dry ingredients and the buttermilk, ending with the dry ingredients.
6. Fill the pans to 2/3 full and place on a cookie sheet.

• Bake three larger pans at 350 F for 35 minutes.
• After 35 minutes place a sheet of foil lightly on top of all three pans to prevent overbrowning
• Bake for another 5 minutes
• Remove 6” pan
• Bake for another 5 minutes
• Remove 6.5” pan
• Bake for another 5 minutes
• Remove 8” pan

1. Place 3 smaller pans on a cookie sheet and bake for about 17 – 20 minutes.
2. Allow the cakes to cool before turning out of pans.

Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup shortening
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 8 cups powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoons milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup

Preparation:

1. With a flat beater attachment, cream the butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Add shortening and continue to beat until well blended.
3. Add salt continuing to beat on medium speed.
4. Add powdered sugar gradually beating well.
5. Add milk and continue to beat until smooth.
6. Add vanilla and beat until well blended.
7. Add corn syrup and beat until fully incorporated.
8. Tint buttercream frosting as desired.

Assembly

• Trim cake layers as desired. Select which cake layers to use. There may be one or two layers that will not be necessary, depending on the desired height of the cake.
• Place the largest layer on a cake plate narrow end up. Pipe frosting with an icing bag and desired icing tip. Spread filling on top of cake layer.
• Repeat procedure with next layers ending with the smallest cake layer. Insert doll in center.
• Pipe frosting all around the doll.