Lilo & Stitch Themed Tiered Cake

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Lilo & Stitch Themed Coconut - Pineapple Tiered Cake

Bring the aloha spirit home with this Lilo & Stitch cake recipe—a show-stopping Hawaiian-themed tiered cake that’s perfect for Disney fans and tropical parties alike. Featuring moist coconut sponge layers, tangy pineapple curd filling, and a zesty coconut-lime buttercream, this easy themed cake tutorial will guide you step-by-step to create a DIY Disney character cake that tastes as good as it looks. Whether you’re planning a Luau birthday cake, a tropical dessert table, or a children’s party centerpiece, this Disney cake idea will have everyone saying “Ohana means dessert!”

Tiers: 10″, 8″, 6″

Serves: ~30–40 slices

Skill Level: Intermediate

Time: 6–7 hours (including chilling & decorating)

🛒 Ingredients

1. Coconut Sponge (per tier)

• 2¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour

• 1½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, room temp (or vegan butter)

• 1½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar

• 3 large eggs (or flax “eggs” for vegan)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp coconut extract (optional)

• 1 cup (240 ml) canned coconut milk, shaken

• 2 tbsp shredded sweetened coconut (optional for extra texture)

2. Pineapple Curd Filling

• 1 cup (240 ml) crushed pineapple, drained (reserve juice)

• ¼ cup (50 g) sugar

• 2 tbsp cornstarch

• 2 tbsp reserved pineapple juice

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (or coconut oil)

• 1 tbsp lime juice

3. Coconut-Lime Swiss Meringue Buttercream

• 5 large egg whites (or aquafaba for vegan)

• 1¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar

• 1 tsp cream of tartar (omit for vegan)

• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temp (or vegan butter)

• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar

• 2 tbsp coconut cream (or heavy cream)

• Zest of 1 lime + 1 tsp lime juice

• Blue gel food coloring (for ocean effect)

4. Décor Supplies

• Blue fondant (ocean tiers) & Purple Fondant (middle tier)

• Skin-tone fondant (Stitch face/ears) + teal fondant (ears/fluff) & Skin-tone fondant (Lilo's face)

• Edible markers or black fondant (eyes, nose, mouth)

• Fondant hibiscus flowers, palm leaves & trees, picnic cloth & basket, clouds, coconut drink, Lilo's dress/hair, and picnic food.

• Brown Sugar (sand)

✅ Ingredient Alternatives

• Gluten-Free: Swap flour for 1:1 GF blend + 1 tsp xanthan gum.

• Vegan: Use flax eggs, dairy-free butter, aquafaba for Swiss meringue, and coconut yogurt for cream.

• Low-Sugar: Replace up to 50% sugar with monk-fruit sweetener in cake & buttercream.

Step 1: Bake the Coconut Cake Layers

Preheat to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease & line three sets of 10″, 8″, 6″ pans.

Whisk flour, baking powder, soda, and salt.

In a mixer, cream butter + sugar until pale (3–4 min). Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla & coconut extract.

Alternate adding flour mixture and coconut milk, beginning & ending with flour. Fold in shredded coconut if using.

Divide batter into pans (about 5 cups for 10″, 3.5 cups for 8″, 2 cups for 6″).

Bake until a toothpick comes out clean: ~30 min (10″), 25 min (8″), 20 min (6″). Cool completely.

Tip Alert: Support: Always insert at least 3 dowels in each tier for stability, especially fondant-covered cakes.

Step 2: Make Pineapple Curd

In a saucepan, whisk sugar + cornstarch + pineapple juice until smooth.

Stir in drained pineapple and cook over medium heat until thick & translucent.

Off heat, whisk in butter & lime juice. Chill until spreadable.

Tip Alert: Creative Variations: Swap curd for passionfruit or mango for a fun twist.

Step 3: Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Over a double-boiler, whisk egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar until 160 °F (85 °C).

Transfer to a mixer and whip on high until stiff peaks form and mixture is glossy and cooled.

With mixer on medium, add butter in cubes until silky.

Beat in powdered sugar, coconut cream, lime zest, and juice.

Tint ⅔ of frosting pale blue; reserve white for Stitch accents.

Tip Alert: Color Gels: Use concentrated gel colors to avoid watering down buttercream.

Step 4: Assemble & Decorate

Stacking: Level each cake. Sprinkle brown sugar over the bottom board, place 10″ bottom on board, pipe a buttercream dam, fill with curd & a crumb layer, then top with cake. Crumb-coat & chill. Repeat for 8″ & 6″ tiers, inserting dowels & cake boards between tiers for support.

Tip Alert: Chill Between Steps: A quick freeze (15 min) makes leveling & stacking easier.

Fondant Ocean: Roll out blue fondant to wrap the first and third tier; use lavender fondant for the middle tier. Seal seams at back.

Stitch & Lilo Topper: Sculpt mini Stitches & Lilo from fondant.

Tropical Accents: Add hibiscus blossoms, clouds, palm leaves & trees.

Picnic Accents: Use fondant to sculpt picnic basket, table cloth, items on table cloth, and Stitch's coconut drink.

Finishing Touches: Lightly dust with edible shimmer and place Stitch topper on 6″ tier with a mini coconut drink.

🍹 Fun Island Beverage Pairings

• Lilikoi Lemonade: Fresh lemonade with passionfruit puree & mint sprigs.

• Blue Hawaiian Mocktail: Pineapple juice, blue curaçao syrup (non-alcoholic), coconut cream, shaken over ice.

• Tiki Iced Tea: Hibiscus tea, pineapple juice, a splash of lime, topped with soda water.

This Lilo & Stitch tiered cake combines tropical flavors and vibrant décor for the ultimate Disney dessert experience. With ingredient swaps for gluten-free or vegan diets, handy cake decorating tips, and fun island beverage pairings, you’ll be ready to impress at any Hawaiian party or themed celebration. Don’t forget to pin this Disney cake tutorial, share it with fellow bakers, and explore more of our character cake recipes, tropical cake ideas, and easy party desserts right here on the blog!