How to Make a Jellycat Birthday Cake Step by Step

By:

Ruby Bennett

Published:

June 9, 2026

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Why you’ll love this recipe

If you have ever seen a Jellycat plushie and thought, “I wish I could eat that,” this is the cake for you! This Jellycat birthday cake is officially the most adorable cake you will ever bake, and the little feet make it impossible not to smile. I have designed this recipe to capture the whimsical charm of the original plush toy while keeping everything simple and approachable for home bakers.

Looks just like the plushie. The cake mimics the rounded body, tiny legs, and sweet face of a Jellycat bunny. It is a showstopper that will delight kids and adults alike.
Hot milk method for fluffy layers. This technique gives you a tender, moist crumb that stays fresh for days. No dry cake here!
Easy filling with store bought jam. You can use your favorite strawberry jam or make your own if you have extra berries on hand. Either way, it adds a burst of fruity flavor.
Light whipped cream instead of buttercream. The airy cream complements the cake perfectly and is much simpler to make. You do not need any fancy piping skills.

This cake is perfect for first birthdays, baby showers, or any celebration where you want to bring a little extra cuteness to the table!

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Ingredient notes

Using the right ingredients makes all the difference. Here is what you need and a few tips for success.

Ingredient	Notes
All purpose flour	Provides structure. Sift with baking powder and salt.
Baking powder	Leavening agent for lift.
Salt	Balances sweetness.
Eggs	Room temperature eggs whip to a higher volume. Let them sit out for 30 minutes before starting.
Granulated sugar	Sweetens and helps stabilize the egg foam.
Unsalted butter	Can be cold since it will be melted with the milk.
Milk	Whole milk works best, but non dairy alternatives like oat milk also work.
Light tasting oil	Canola, avocado, or grapeseed oil add moisture without flavor.
Vanilla extract	Pure vanilla for the best flavor.
Heavy cream	Cold cream whips faster and yields a richer, more stable whipped cream. Heavy cream is preferred over whipping cream.
Powdered sugar	Sweetens and stabilizes the cream.
Cocoa powder	Used to tint part of the cream brown for the bunny’s legs. Brown gel food coloring is an alternative.
Strawberry jam	Store bought is fine. Homemade with less sugar and chunky berries is even better. If you love strawberries, try our Strawberry Shortcake Recipe for another fruity treat.
Fresh strawberries	Halved for the top. The original plushie design uses five strawberries.
Dark chocolate	Melted to pipe the eyes and smile. Semi sweet or milk chocolate also works.

All measurements are given in grams for accuracy. Small amounts are listed in teaspoons since most kitchen scales are not accurate under about 10 grams.

How to make a jellycat birthday cake

This recipe comes together in three simple stages. Follow along, and you will have a gorgeous cake that looks like a real Jellycat plushie! For another detailed approach, check out this Jellycat birthday cake recipe from a trusted source.

Make the cake layers

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two 6 inch round cake pans with parchment paper and set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a small pot, combine butter, milk, oil, and vanilla. Heat over medium until the butter melts. Do not let it boil. Cover the pot to keep the mixture warm.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar with an electric hand mixer at medium speed for a full 6 minutes. The mixture should triple in volume and turn very pale, almost white.
Add about half the flour mixture to the egg foam and mix on low until just combined. Add the remaining flour and mix until mostly combined. A few streaks of flour are okay to avoid overmixing.
With the mixer running on low, slowly stream in the warm milk mixture. Continue mixing until the batter is smooth and fluid.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Each pan should be about half full.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool the cakes in the pans for 15 minutes.
Run an offset spatula around the edges, then turn the layers out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the filling

While the cake layers cool, prepare the whipped cream filling.

Pour cold heavy cream into a large mixing bowl. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
Beat with an electric hand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until soft peaks form. The cream should hold a gentle peak that flops over slightly.
Scoop about 1/3 cup of the soft peak cream into a separate bowl and set aside. This will become the brown cream for the legs.
Continue beating the remaining cream until firm peaks form. The cream should hold its shape when you lift the beaters.
To the reserved cream, add cocoa powder and mix until fully incorporated and brown.
Transfer both the white and brown whipped creams into separate piping bags. Snip off the tips.

Assemble and decorate the cake

Now comes the fun part: turning your cake into a Jellycat!

Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake board.
Pipe dollops of white whipped cream around the edge of the cake, ending toward the middle. Use a small spatula to smear the tail ends of the dollops toward the center, creating a dam for the jam.
Spoon strawberry jam into the center of the cream ring and spread it evenly. Be careful not to disturb the cream border.
Place the second cake layer on top.
Pipe more white whipped cream dollops over the top of the cake. Arrange halved fresh strawberries on the cream, and insert a candle in the center.
Using the brown whipped cream, pipe two little legs on the plate, extending outward from the bottom cake layer. They should look like the plushie’s feet.
Melt dark chocolate in the microwave (30 second bursts) or on the stovetop. Transfer to a small piping bag, snip the tip, and pipe two eyes and a curved smile on the bottom cake layer, between the legs.

That is it! Your Jellycat birthday cake is ready to wow everyone.

Storage

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Because the cake uses whipped cream and fresh fruit, it is best enjoyed within 24 hours for peak freshness. Before serving, let the cake sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes so the texture and flavor soften beautifully.

Freezing

You can freeze this cake for later. Wrap the assembled cake (without the fresh strawberries) tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. To thaw, transfer the cake to the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature before serving. Add fresh strawberries just before serving for the best presentation.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Jellycat birthday cake?

A Jellycat birthday cake is a soft, whimsical cake inspired by the aesthetic of Jellycat plush toys. It typically features a light vanilla or strawberry naked cake with whipped cream frosting, fresh strawberries, and a Jellycat plushie or themed cake topper. It is popular for first birthdays, baby showers, and cute celebrations.

How do you make a Jellycat birthday cake?

To make a Jellycat birthday cake, bake a simple vanilla or strawberry cake in two 6 inch round pans. Let cool completely. Fill with strawberry jam and fresh strawberries, then frost with lightly sweetened whipped cream. Keep the sides exposed for a naked cake look. Top with sliced strawberries and a Jellycat plushie or a simple topper.

What flavors go well with a Jellycat birthday cake?

Classic flavor combinations include vanilla cake with strawberry filling and whipped cream, lemon cake with raspberry jam, or chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream. Strawberry shortcake style is the most popular. Fresh fruit flavors pair well with the light, airy aesthetic.

Can I make a Jellycat birthday cake gluten free?

Yes, you can substitute the all purpose flour with a 1 to 1 gluten free baking blend. Make sure your baking powder is gluten free. The rest of the ingredients (sugar, eggs, butter, milk) are naturally gluten free. The texture will be slightly denser but still delicious.

How do you decorate a Jellycat birthday cake?

Decorate with a naked or semi naked whipped cream frosting. Add fresh strawberries, edible flowers, or a dusting of powdered sugar. Place a small Jellycat plushie on top or use a custom cake topper with a Jellycat design. Keep the decoration simple and soft to match the plush toy theme.

Is a Jellycat birthday cake easy to make for beginners?

Yes, this cake is beginner friendly because it uses a simple vanilla or strawberry cake recipe and whipped cream frosting that is forgiving to spread. The naked cake style hides imperfections. No fondant or advanced piping skills are needed. Follow a reliable hot milk cake or vanilla cake recipe.

How to Make a Jellycat Birthday Cake Step by Step

Why you’ll love this recipe

Ingredient notes