How do you stabilize a 4-layer cake?

Easy! Pop in some dowels or straws cut to the cake’s height. Push ‘em through the layers in a square pattern, and your multi-layer cake design won’t budge.

What’s the best frosting for a dinosaur cake?

Buttercream’s your go-to—smooth, versatile, and perfect for piping dinosaur cake decorations. Fondant works too if you’re sculpting dinos.

Can I make a 4-layer cake ahead of time?

Yup! Bake the layers a day early, wrap ‘em in plastic, and store at room temp. Frost and decorate the day of for max freshness.

How do I transport a tall dinosaur cake?

Chill it first to firm up, then use a non-slip mat in a sturdy box. Drive slow—your four-tier cake guide deserves VIP treatment!

What size pans work for a 4-layer cake?

Stick with 8-inch rounds. They’re just right for stacking and give you that wow factor without overwhelming your oven.

How much cake does a 4-layer serve?

An 8-inch 4-layer cake feeds 20-25 folks, depending on how generous you slice. Kids’ parties might stretch it further!

4 Layers Dinosaur Cake | 5 Best Tips for a Perfect Cake

Name: Dinosaur Cake
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: PT-484889H49M57S
Total time: 49 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour; 3 cups (600g) granulated sugar; 1½ cups (170g) cocoa powder (for chocolate cake); 1 tbsp baking soda; 1½ tsp baking powder; 1½ tsp salt; 4 large eggs (room temperature); 1½ cups (360ml) buttermilk; 1½ cups (360ml) hot water; ¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil; 2 tsp vanilla extract; (Alternatively, use a vanilla cake base by omitting cocoa and adding an extra ½ cup flour.); 2 cups (454g) unsalted butter (room temperature); 8 cups (960g) powdered sugar; ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream or milk; 2 tsp vanilla extract; Pinch of salt; Orange (mix red + yellow); Yellow-Green (mix yellow + a bit of green); Green (leaf or forest green); Dinosaur figurines (triceratops + small blue dinosaur); Optional: Crushed Oreos for “dirt,” fondant leaves, or chocolate rocks

Dinosaur Cake

Print Recipe

Got a tiny T-rex expert or triceratops admirer in your house? Turn their birthday into a Mesozoic masterpiece with a showstopping dinosaur cake!

Author: Claire Ellis
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 25-30 mins
Total Time: 49 minute
Yield: 12-16 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour

3 cups (600g) granulated sugar

1½ cups (170g) cocoa powder (for chocolate cake)

1 tbsp baking soda

1½ tsp baking powder

1½ tsp salt

4 large eggs (room temperature)

1½ cups (360ml) buttermilk

1½ cups (360ml) hot water

¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

(Alternatively, use a vanilla cake base by omitting cocoa and adding an extra ½ cup flour.)

For the Frosting (American Buttercream):

2 cups (454g) unsalted butter (room temperature)

8 cups (960g) powdered sugar

¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream or milk

2 tsp vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

Food coloring:

Orange (mix red + yellow)

Yellow-Green (mix yellow + a bit of green)

Green (leaf or forest green)

For Decoration:

Dinosaur figurines (triceratops + small blue dinosaur)

Optional: Crushed Oreos for “dirt,” fondant leaves, or chocolate rocks

Instructions

1. Bake the Cake Layers

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line four 6-inch or 8-inch round pans.

Whisk dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt).

Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix on medium until combined.

Slowly pour in hot water (batter will be thin—this is normal!).

Divide batter evenly into pans. Bake 25-30 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool completely before frosting.

2. Make the Frosting

Beat butter until creamy (~3 mins).

Gradually add powdered sugar, then cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy (~5 mins).

Divide frosting into 3 bowls and tint:

Orange (more yellow + less red)

Yellow-Green (yellow + tiny bit of green)

Green (adjust shade as desired)

3. Assemble & Decorate

Stack layers with frosting between each (e.g., orange between 1st/2nd, yellow-green between 2nd/3rd, green between 3rd/4th).

Crumb coat the cake with a thin layer of frosting. Chill for 20 mins.

Final coat: Use an offset spatula to create smooth or textured sides. For a “dino jungle” effect, swirl the colors lightly.

Top with figurines: Place the triceratops and blue dinosaur on top. Add optional “dirt” (crushed Oreos) or fondant plants.

4. Serve & Roar!

Slice and enjoy your prehistoric masterpiece!

Notes

For stability: Use dowels or straws if stacking tiers.

Vibrant colors: Gel food coloring works best (try Wilton or Americolor).

Alternative: Use Swiss meringue buttercream for a less-sweet frosting.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: ~650
Sugar: 75-85g
Sodium: 400-500mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 90-100g
Fiber: 2-3g
Protein: 5-7g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: Dinosaur Cake, Dinosaur Cake recipe, Birthday cakes

Find it online: https://lunchlime.com/5-best-tips-for-a-perfect-4-layers-dinosaur-cake/