Chocolate Cake- Disney Pixar Lightening McQueen

Remember your birthdays growing up? They were always a HUGE deal. Well, at least they were for me! This past weekend a little friend of mine was turning three and he loves the Disney Pixar movie- Cars. I was asked to make the cake for his big day with this theme in mind. I was a little nervous for two reasons: I was not sure if this cake was going to remotely resemble Lightening McQueen AND turning three is monumental at that age. In the end, after several hours of preparation, I have to say I was so excited about the final result! The best part is that this movie, like most Pixar films, is that it is for of all ages; it has become one of my sister’s new favorites- so she might be getting this cake for her 29th birthday.
Chocolate Cake
3/4 Cup of Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 1/2 Cups of Buttermilk
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla
1 3/4 Cup of Flour
2 Cups of Sugar
3 Eggs
2 Sticks of Of Softened Butter
1/4 Teaspoon of Salt
1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
Preheat Oven 350
In a mixing bowl mix together sugar, butter until well combined, then beat in vanilla and eggs one at a time. Once well combined stir in buttermilk. In a separate bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. One cup at a time add flour mixture to sugar mixture until well combined. In this case I greased the Lightening McQueen Cake tin or the other option would be to grease 2- eight inch round cake pans. Bake for 35 minutes until a knife comes out clean. Let cool before flipping over to release the cake. This cake was decorated with a buttercream icing- more than anything it just took time and patience.
I also made Cup Cakes and put race flags in each of them to go along with the Cars Theme.


The favors were a little Lightening McQueen Car with candy wrapped in Cellophane paper and tied with a black and white checkers.

March 26th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
AMAZING CAKE!!!! As the mom I would’ve had a hard cutting into the cake…but I’m sure the special birthday boy had no problem.
March 26th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
On a completely different note…can you suggest something nice to send a friend to simply show you’re thinking of them? A cheer-up gift? I was thinking maybe some chocoloate cookies, but wonder if you had a place you’d suggest ordering from? Thanks!
March 27th, 2007 at 6:51 am
There are two places in the Chelsea market I would suggest.
1. Fat Witch Brownies http://www.fatwitch.com/gifts.html
2. Elenis Cookies- these are a little pricey but you could sned just one.
http://www.elenis.com/about_elenis2.htm
But in all honesty a card goes a long way, now a days it is rare when people take the time to right an actual note. Anything that shows them you are thinking of them.
Hope this helps.
March 27th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Thank you, thank you…going to check it out after work tonight…and probably sample a bit.
March 28th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
What a sweet cake! If I got that when I was 8 years old I would have been the coolest kid in 2nd grade.
March 28th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
well done patty….that is some impressive cake decorating.
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
i like the ideas, i am trying to find ideas for my school assignment so these i deas really help!!!!!!!