Name: Vanilla Cake on a Stick
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup milk ((120 grams)); 1/2 cup vegetable oil ((100 grams)); 3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar ((162 grams)); 1 1/4 cups flour ((163 grams)); 1 large egg; 3/4 tablespoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; 1 cup Nutella ((250 grams)); 1 can or store-bought icing; 2-3 tablespoons chopped nuts, sprinkles, shredded coconut, chocolate chips etc

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Vanilla Cake on a Stick is a delicious moist cake with a simple chocolate glaze and lightly decorated. Tired of Cake Pops then this is the cake recipe for you. No fork or plate needed!

Since we will probably be in the house for a while, there are going to be birthdays to celebrate, so I thought why not a Cake on a Stick? Easier than cake pops and cuter than cupcakes.

I have been making homemade birthday cakes for my kids for years now, even as they got older, they would choose their cake and I would give it my best to make it as accurate as possible. From Vanessa’s Vanilla Cake with Mascarpone Frosting to an Easy Ice Cream Cake.

Erika’s favourite Baci Chocolate Birthday Cake. And of course I couldn’t forget to make the Italian’s Tiramisu Layer Cake or my Birthday Cake!

When my kids were little, Cake on a Stick was very popular in Italy. Perfect for when you have a group of kids and the idea of more dishes and cutlery are not something to look forward to.

Table of Contents

How to make a Cake on a Stick

In a medium bowl on medium speed beat together the milk, oil, sugar, flour and eggs, then add the baking powder and vanilla, beat until smooth.

ingredients flour, eggs, sugar in a glass bowl, the ingredients in a glass bowl beaten until smooth

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake. Let the cake cool in the pan then remove and place on a wire rack until completely cool.

batter in the pan ready for baking and cake baked in the pan

Cut the cake into 8 equal slices (triangles). Then cut a small slit in each triangle with a sharp knife, then push a popsicle stick gently into each slit.

the cake sliced on a wire rack and sticks in each slice

Place the cake on the rack over a cookie sheet, pour the frosting or ganache over each slice. Place in the fridge for about 30 minutes to set the frosting.

the ganache in a glass bowl and the cake covered in glaze with sticks in the pieces

Then top each slice with your favourite toppings and serve.

decorating a slice and the whole cake decorated on a wire rack

Different toppings to use

This Italian cake is firmer than most and it is exactly what you need for a cake on a stick. I like to use a ganache type frosting for this cake, a creamy buttermilk or cream cheese frosting seems a bit much, although using it to decorate around the outside of cake would be very cute.

For my kids I would usually use a Hazelnut Cream (Nutella), which I thinned out to make it extra pourable. You can do that with either the microwave or bain marie.

a slice on a white plate and the remaining on a white cake stand

Another idea is to use a simple chocolate ganache or heat up a can of store-bought frosting the same way as the Nutella. I don’t usually promote canned frostings, but in this case it works really well.

You could finish the decorating with chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, sprinkles, whipped cream and even a drizzle of caramel. The choice is yours or let your kids decide.

I made this cake after a few years, and they let me know how much they still loved this Vanilla Cake on a Stick and how fun it was to eat it again. And right about now I think we all need something sweet to enjoy. Stay safe! Enjoy!