Bake a Chocolate Cake with DIY Star KittyKatMaddy
Bake a chocolate cake from scratch with adult help, then decorate it into a star-shaped KittyKatMaddy character using icing and sprinkles.
About this activity
Bake a chocolate cake from scratch with adult help, then decorate it into a star-shaped KittyKatMaddy character using icing and sprinkles.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Ask an adult to preheat the oven to 350°F 175°C so it will be ready when the batter is done.
- 2
Step 2
Line your baking pan with parchment paper and grease the paper so the cake won’t stick.
- 3
Step 3
Measure and mix the dry ingredients in a bowl by combining the flour sugar cocoa baking soda and salt.
- 4
Step 4
Crack the eggs into a separate bowl and add the milk vegetable oil and vanilla then whisk them together until even.
- 5
Step 5
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until the batter looks smooth.
- 6
Step 6
Ask an adult to carefully add the boiling water to the batter and stir once more until the batter is thin and even.
- 7
Step 7
Ask an adult to pour the batter into the prepared pan and to place it in the oven and set a timer for 25 to 35 minutes.
- 8
Step 8
Ask an adult to remove the warm cake from the oven using oven mitts and set the pan on a cooling rack to cool completely.
- 9
Step 9
Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to press a star out of the cooled cake or ask an adult to cut a star using a paper template and their knife.
- 10
Step 10
Place the star cake on a clean plate and spread a thin layer of buttercream over the top and sides to make a crumb coat.
- 11
Step 11
Split some icing into small bowls and add food coloring to make the colors you want for KittyKatMaddy features.
- 12
Step 12
Use a piping bag or a plastic bag with the corner snipped to pipe KittyKatMaddy’s face and details on the star cake.
- 13
Step 13
Sprinkle colorful sprinkles on the cake points and around the character to make it sparkle.
- 14
Step 14
Tidy your workspace by putting away bowls utensils and wiping the table so you’re all clean.
- 15
Step 15
Take a photo of your star-shaped KittyKatMaddy cake and share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I bake and decorate a star-shaped KittyKatMaddy chocolate cake with my child?
To bake and decorate a star-shaped KittyKatMaddy chocolate cake, adult prepares chocolate cake batter from scratch and bakes in a star pan (or bake in round/square pans and cut into a star once cool). Let cake cool completely; adults trim and level. Child mixes icing colors, crumb-coats the cake, then smooth final icing. Use piping bags to add KittyKatMaddy facial features and sprinkles for texture. Adults handle oven, cutting, and any hot tools while guiding decorating.
What materials and ingredients do I need to make a Chocolate Cake with DIY Star KittyKatMaddy?
Ingredients: all-purpose flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, eggs, milk (or dairy-free alternative), butter or oil, vanilla extract, and hot water or coffee for richness. For decorating: buttercream or fondant, food coloring, piping bags and tips, sprinkles, chocolate chips, edible markers, and small candies for features. Tools: mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, whisk, spatula, star-shaped cake pan (or template and serrated knife), cooling rack, offse
What ages is the star-shaped KittyKatMaddy cake activity suitable for?
Suitable for ages 4 and up with adult supervision. Toddlers (4–5) can help stir, add sprinkles, and press decorations while adults handle baking, cutting, and piping. Children 6–10 can participate more fully—measuring ingredients, mixing, and practicing basic piping with guidance. Tweens can take lead on decorating and design. For younger kids, simplify steps, use pre-baked layers, and assign safe, age-appropriate tasks to keep the activity fun and safe.
What safety tips should I follow when baking and decorating a KittyKatMaddy star cake with kids?
Safety tips: always supervise children near the oven and hot pans—adults should handle preheating, inserting, and removing cakes. Let cake cool completely before cutting or piping. Use age-appropriate tools (blunt knives, child-safe spatulas). Watch for choking hazards with small candies and sprinkles for children under 3. Check for food allergies and cross-contamination. Keep work surfaces clean, wash hands, and use non-toxic, food-grade colorings. Teach safe knife and heat handling and keep a
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have parchment paper, a star-shaped cookie cutter, or a piping bag?
If you don't have parchment paper, grease and flour the pan or use greased aluminum foil for step 2, press a paper template and have an adult cut the star in step 9, and use a small zip-top bag with a snipped corner as a piping bag substitute for step 12.
My batter looks lumpy or the star cake sticks when I try to cut it—what should I do?
If the batter is lumpy, gently stir until smooth before adding boiling water and have an adult add and stir the water once more (steps 5–6), and if the star sticks, make sure the cake cooled completely and the parchment was greased in step 2 or chill the cake before cutting (steps 2 and 8–9).
How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?
For toddlers let them measure dry ingredients and sprinkle decorations (steps 3 and 13), for school-age kids have them whisk wet ingredients and press the star cutter (steps 4 and 9), and for older kids let them stir in boiling water with supervision and pipe KittyKatMaddy's face (steps 6 and 12).
How can we make the KittyKatMaddy cake more special or creative?
Split icing into small bowls and add different food coloring to create multiple colors (step 11), use extra buttercream or fondant to add 3D features and pipe details with a snipped bag (steps 10–12), and finish by sprinkling on the cake points for extra sparkle (step 13).