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A delicious chocolate dinosaur cake decorated to look like a prehistoric scene.

How to Make a Simple Dinosaur Cake (That’s Roar-some!)

Create a fun and edible prehistoric scene with this easy dinosaur cake, perfect for kids' parties or imaginative celebrations.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 pieces
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Cake Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water or hot coffee
Chocolate Buttercream
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • ½ cup heavy cream or milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decorations
  • 1 package chocolate sandwich cookies (about 15 oz) for cookie dirt
  • Chocolate rocks, Whoppers, or Cocoa Puffs to taste boulder candies
  • A small amount green frosting or sprinkles
  • Clean, new toy dinosaurs! toy dinosaurs for scene

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan. Mix dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients and boiling water. Pour into pan and bake 35-40 mins. Cool completely.
  2. Beat softened butter, sift in powdered sugar and cocoa, then add cream and vanilla. Beat until fluffy.
  3. Spread frosting over cooled cake, creating a textured surface. Crumble cookies into crumbs for dirt.
  4. Sprinkle cookie crumbs on the frosting, pile up to form hills. Scatter candies and pipe green ferns if desired.
  5. Wash and dry toy dinosaurs, then arrange them on the cake to complete your prehistoric scene.

Notes

Use a textured frosting technique for a fun, rugged landscape. Make sure to thoroughly wash toy dinosaurs before placing them on the cake.