Valentines Day and spring half term generally overlap. And a £10 Fake Bake cake is the best £10 you can spend on V-day. As it was half-term and we had X-Ray at home I decided to Fake Bake along with him. He got thoroughly involved in procuring the stuff and was counting down the days till when we could Fake Bake the cake. And he couldn't get his head around the fact that it's not going into the oven as it's already baked!

After a few attempts using Tesco's cheaper brand, Ms Molly, frosting, I was tempted to go back to Sainsbury's. But I thought to give Tesco a fair try and chose to go there again for their premium Finest frosting. Valentine's Day, so we chose the Raspberry flavour Finest frosting. Because it was PINK duh.

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Raspberry Frosting

Since I've splashed out a chunk of the budget on the frosting I was delighted to find Raspberry sponge cakes for £1.30 each! I received a few messages about how these cakes are tinier than usual. I can confirm, they are indeed tinier than their Finest cakes. But I think you'll agree we managed to add considerable height, and polished them into looking like the cutest pink cake. Two sponge layer cakes, two tubs of frosting (one premium tub and one cheap tub), pink wafers, Jammie Dodgers, mini marshmallows and mini battenbergs. All for under a tenner (and with the help of a toddler!).

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Decorate with Jammie Dodgers

This Fake Bake is the perfect activity and cake for Valentines Day, Mothers Day, or any day where only a cute pink cake will do.

Fake Bake Recipe - Pink Raspberry Cake

Ingredients

2x Ready-made Round Raspberry or VIctoria Sponge layer Cakes (5" or 6" size)

1 tub (400g) of ready-made buttercream-style Raspberry frosting

1 tub (300g) of ready-made buttercream-style Vanilla frosting

1 pack of Mini Jammie Dodgers

Large Jammie Dodgers

Pink and White Mini Marshmallows

Mini Battenberg Cakes

Pink Wafers

Method

1. Prepare the cake decorating station with a cake turntable, angled palette knife, cake scraper, a cake board, a tablespoon, a piping bag fitted with a small star nozzle, a knife and a spatula.

2. Unbox the cakes. Smear a dollop of buttercream in the middle of the cake board on the turntable, and then place one of the layer cakes on the board.

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Anchor First Layer Cake

Separate the sponge layers and spread an even layer of mini marshmallows before sandwiching again. This adds height.

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Marshmallow Stuffing

3. Decant the buttercream into a bowl and loosen it with a spatula or whip with a whisk.

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Whip Frosting

Spread an even layer of buttercream on the top of the cake.

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Sandwich Frosting

Stack the second layer cake on top.

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Stacking Layers

4. Spread and smooth buttercream. I find it easier to pipe the buttercream on first before smoothing with a cake scraper.

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Piping Frosting

Run a cake scraper along the sides of the cake.

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Side Smooth Frosting

Spread and smooth buttercream over the top of the cake.

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Top Frosting

Use the vanilla buttercream to give it a marbled finish.

5. Unwrap the Jammie Dodgers, pink wafers and mini battenberg cakes. Slice the battenberg cakes and pink wafers to size.

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Chop Wafers

6. Fit a piping bag with a small star nozzle tip and fill with the remaining frosting. Pipe a few swirls around the top in any pattern.

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Pipe Decorations

7. Decorate with pink wafers, Jammie Dodgers, mini marshmallows and mini battenbergs.

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Decorate with Marshmallows

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Decorate with Battenbergs and Wafers

This was the first Fake Bakes I did as a bake-along via insta-stories. I couldn't believe how many participated - I was expecting none!

All the cakes looked amazing and it was so nice to see the kids getting involved. X-ray was thrilled!

Pink Raspberry Fake Bake Cake - Valentines Day, Mothers Day

So bookmark this for Mother's Day. I promise it's mega fun with the kids and they'll feel so proud of their creations (and you get to have cake!).

And if you CBA with making your own, you can always order our glammed up Victoria Sponge cake, with free delivery across most of London, for your special occasion.