Magic cake: The three-layered confection taking over Instagram

Monday, December 5th, 2016 by Katharine Jacobs

If, like us, you are suffering from an extreme case of December-itis, we have good news: We just may have found a cure. We give you the magic cake, the latest retro baking trend to resurface on Instagram. So what exactly is magic about it?

If you had a baker for a grandparent, you might well have tried it before. Thin batter and a low oven temperature cause the batter to separate into a dense bottom layer, a custard centre and a light fluffy cake layer on top. (If you’ve ever really messed up a sheet cake recipe, you might also have achieved this without trying!)

The experts over at Real Simple recommend leaving the cake to cool fully before slicing (so that this doesn’t happen) and making sure the eggs separate cleanly. (The whipped egg white added right at the end contributes to a light, fluffy sponge on top.) Of course, in the wild, actual magic cakes vary quite a lot.

There are versions with a higher goo ratio, like this chocolate one:

Do you believe in magic?

A photo posted by F r a n c e s c a (@fralamelis) on Dec 1, 2016 at 11:51am PST

And there are versions with more cake on top.

A photo posted by an＊ (@an_kukka_) on Nov 26, 2016 at 11:01pm PST

Of course, Nutella makes an appearance.

More Nutella magic cake goodness! Eat them all!!

A photo posted by AMANDA MICHETTI (@chewtown) on Feb 25, 2016 at 12:40am PST

As do fresh raspberries.

Vanilla Raspberry Custard Cake With only one batter get three magic layers Vanilya ve Frambuazlı Sihirli Kek Frambuazın mayhoş tadıyla sihirli kekin pürüssüz dokusu ve kremamsı lezzeti birbirine çok yakıştı. Denemek isterseniz tarif blogda. #mutfakgram #yummy #yemekrium #magiccake #custardcake #raspberry #raspberrymagiccake #dessert #delicious #gramkek #instafood #instagood #foodpics #feedfeed #thefoodspotter #yemekfotografciligi #foodphotography #foodstyling #sihirlikek #frambuazlıkek #igdaily #frambuaz #custard #dessert #pratiktarifler #easydelicious #hautecuisine #foodblogger #foodblog #mukemmellezzetler #lezzetrium #delicious A photo posted by Beyza (@kitchenart_ist) on Feb 15, 2016 at 8:13am PST

It’s equally good served as a pudding, in individual pots.

A photo posted by Citron (@citron515) on Feb 8, 2016 at 8:08pm PST

There’s even a vegan version.

#new #raw #cake #vegan #vegancake #cranberries #strawberry #mint #beetroot #almonds #vanilla #magiccake #vegansprague #yummy #healthy #dessert #nerudova #prague #czechrepublic #gogreen A photo posted by VegansPrague (@vegansprague) on Nov 5, 2016 at 5:11am PDT

Matcha is also popular.

Craving for matcha and this matcha magic cake is all I need now ! Second time making magic cake and its turn out pretty well, really love the 3 layers texture, the matcha flavor is so rich, love it love it ! #yum #dessert #homemade #matcha #greentea #magiccake #custard #flan #sponge #cake #simpleisdelicious #fromscratch #homemade #matchamagiccake #matchacake #greenteacake #matchadessert #richflavor #魔法ケーキ #焼きたて #抹茶ケーキ #カスタード #フラン #濃厚 #スポンジ #抹茶デザート #美味しかった

A photo posted by アヤ Yeaney (@aya.yeaney) on Oct 7, 2016 at 9:21pm PDT

As is salted caramel.

This delicious Salted Caramel Magic Custard Cake is perfect for sharing with friends this bank holiday. Layers of Genoise sponge, silky caramel custard and a moist cake base. And the magic? All this from one simple batter! Recipe is #ontheblog #linkinbio #serendipitybakes #foodblogger #foodphotography #cake #cakestagram #magiccake #custard #saltedcaramel A photo posted by Nicola King (@serendipitybakes) on May 30, 2016 at 12:21am PDT

Of course, it doesn’t always come out right.

So I tried Magic cake again and the custard was too soft. At least it tasted good 🙂 But I still need to work on!

A photo posted by @littlebeautifulkitchen on May 14, 2016 at 4:49pm PDT

And for every perfect picture like this one, there are at least 10 disasters.

『Magic Cake』ガトーマジック・ショコラ 3層の食感がクセになる!フランス発の魔法のケーキ「ガトーマジック」。゛マジックケーキ゛とも呼ばれ、SNSを中心に話題沸騰中です! 今回は、料理研究家vivianさん@carlos_vivian によるショコラバーションのレシピです。 vivianさんの実演動画で、細かいポイントを✔! 7 Cut Recipeの公開ページとフェイスブックをご覧になってみてください。 “Cooking is Magic” #7cutrecipe #foodpic #foodstagram #sweet #yummy #homemade #magiccake #baking #cake #chocolate #gateamagique #マジックケーキ #魔法のケーキ #ガトーマジックショコラ #ガトーマジック #手作りお菓子 #レシピ A photo posted by 7 Cut Recipe (@7_cut_recipe) on Feb 18, 2016 at 1:00am PST

But when it comes down to it, we’re pretty sure they all taste delicious.

#saturdaynight #flan #chocoflan #chocolatecake #caramelcake #madebyme #madebybobo #bytangthanhtruc #magiccake #flangato #gateau #baking #girl #inthekitchen #homebaking #homemade #yummy #delicious #dessert #sweet #sweetcakes #instacake #instabaking #like4like #photoftheday

A photo posted by Bobo Bánh Bèo (@tructangthanh_) on Aug 13, 2016 at 3:34am PDT

Magic cake: we believe!