Delicate and sweet bite-sized cakes topped with vibrant buttercream swirls, perfect for any celebration or tea party.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Colorful Petit Fours are a delightful and elegant treat that adds a touch of sophistication to any occasion. These bite-sized cakes are not only visually stunning with their vibrant buttercream swirls, but they also offer a sweet, soft, and buttery flavor that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Their miniature size makes them the ideal finger food for a celebration, tea party, or any festive gathering. Whether you’re hosting a special event or simply looking to indulge in a cute, homemade dessert, these colorful petit fours are the perfect choice.
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (or homemade vanilla cake)
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (for consistency)
- Food coloring (pink, yellow, green, purple)
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Prepare the vanilla cake according to the instructions on the box or your homemade vanilla cake recipe. Allow it to cool completely before slicing.
- Once the cake has cooled, slice it into small, square pieces (about 1-inch in size).
- In a medium bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the buttercream reaches a thick but spreadable consistency.
- Divide the buttercream into four portions. Add a few drops of food coloring to each portion (pink, yellow, green, purple) and mix well.
- Using a piping bag with a small star tip, pipe small swirls of buttercream on top of each petit four.
- Serve the petit fours on a decorative plate or tray, and enjoy with tea or at a party.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Baking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 16 servings
Variations
- Flavored Buttercream: Enhance the flavor of your buttercream by adding a teaspoon of lemon, almond, or orange extract for a subtle twist.
- Decorative Toppings: Add sprinkles, edible glitter, or small candy decorations on top of the buttercream for extra flair.
- Different Cake Flavors: Swap the vanilla cake mix for a chocolate, lemon, or strawberry cake mix to change the flavor profile of your petit fours.
- Mini Fondant Coating: For a more polished finish, you can coat the petit fours with a thin layer of rolled fondant before piping the buttercream swirls.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover petit fours in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to 5 days if you prefer a firmer texture.
- Reheating: These petit fours are best enjoyed at room temperature, but if you prefer them slightly firmer, you can refrigerate them before serving.
FAQs
Can I use a homemade cake recipe instead of box mix?
Yes, you can easily substitute a homemade vanilla cake recipe for the boxed mix. Just ensure that the cake cools completely before slicing it into small pieces.
How do I get the buttercream to the right consistency?
If your buttercream is too thick, gradually add a tablespoon of milk until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar to thicken it.
Can I make the buttercream in advance?
Yes, you can make the buttercream ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature and re-whip it before using.
Can I freeze these petit fours?
Petit fours can be frozen for up to 1 month. Make sure to freeze them without the buttercream swirls and decorate them after thawing for the best results.
Can I use store-bought frosting instead of making my own?
Yes, store-bought frosting can be used as a shortcut, but homemade buttercream tends to have a fresher and richer flavor. If using store-bought frosting, you can still color it with food coloring.
How do I ensure the buttercream doesn’t melt or slide off?
Make sure your buttercream is at a thick enough consistency to hold its shape when piped. If it’s too soft, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes to firm it up before piping.
Can I add other colors of food coloring?
Yes, feel free to get creative with the colors. You can add as many colors as you like to create a rainbow effect or match a specific theme.
Do I need to refrigerate these petit fours?
Petit fours should be stored in a cool place. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days, but if you’re storing them for longer, it’s best to refrigerate them to preserve freshness.
Can I make larger versions of these petit fours?
Certainly! You can make larger versions of these cakes by slicing the cake into bigger squares. However, keep in mind that larger cakes may require more buttercream to cover.
Can I add fruit to the petit fours?
While these petit fours are typically topped with buttercream, you can add small fruit pieces, like fresh berries or thin fruit slices, on top for an added burst of flavor and color.
Conclusion
Colorful Petit Fours are the perfect delicate treat for any celebration. With their vibrant colors, sweet buttercream swirls, and elegant appearance, they will surely be a hit at your next party or tea gathering. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply for a fun baking project, these little cakes will add charm and sweetness to any event. Their bite-sized nature makes them ideal for guests to enjoy without the mess, and the beautiful colors make them as appealing to the eyes as they are to the taste buds. Enjoy these mini delights and impress everyone with your baking skills!
Print
Colorful Petit Fours
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicate and sweet bite-sized cakes topped with vibrant buttercream swirls, perfect for any celebration or tea party.
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (or homemade vanilla cake)
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (for consistency)
- Food coloring (pink, yellow, green, purple)
Instructions
- Prepare the vanilla cake according to the instructions on the box or your homemade vanilla cake recipe. Allow it to cool completely before slicing.
- Once the cake has cooled, slice it into small, square pieces (about 1-inch in size).
- In a medium bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the buttercream reaches a thick but spreadable consistency.
- Divide the buttercream into four portions. Add a few drops of food coloring to each portion (pink, yellow, green, purple) and mix well.
- Using a piping bag with a small star tip, pipe small swirls of buttercream on top of each petit four.
- Serve the petit fours on a decorative plate or tray, and enjoy with tea or at a party.
Notes
- For a more intense flavor, you can add a few drops of almond extract to the buttercream.
- These petit fours can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Consider using different colors of buttercream to match the theme of your event.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 petit four
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
