Boba Cake Recipe: How to Make the Cutest Bubble Tea-Inspired Cake at Home

Boba cake is the ultimate fusion dessert that brings together everything we love about bubble tea and cake into one stunning creation. In this article, we’ll guide you through how to make your own homemade boba cake with light chiffon layers, milk tea whipped cream, chewy tapioca pearls, and a playful presentation that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re baking for a birthday or just want to try something new, this recipe will walk you through the steps in a family-friendly way with tips and tricks straight from Emma’s kitchen

Why Boba Cake is Taking Over Birthdays

The boba cake trend that started in my kitchen

One quiet Saturday afternoon, my daughter and I were sipping our usual brown sugar boba drinks when she looked at me and said, “Mom, can we make a boba cake for my birthday?” That simple idea turned into a delightful weekend project filled with whipped cream, sticky tapioca pearls, and laughter echoing through our kitchen. This became the first of many boba cakes we made together, and honestly? It’s now a family favorite.

The beauty of a boba cake lies in its creativity. It’s not just a cake—it’s an experience. You get the fluffy layers of chiffon or sponge cake, the creamy flavor of milk tea whipped cream, and the chewy, sweet bite of boba pearls all in one slice. The best part? Kids love helping assemble it—especially when you sneak a surprise bubble tea cup into the center like a hidden gem. It’s cakes like these that bring people together, and that’s exactly what StarsCake is all about.

What makes boba cake special for family baking

At its heart, a boba cake is built for shared joy. It’s the perfect canvas for bonding time with kids or creating a showstopper for parties. The texture alone is magical: the contrast of pillowy cake and chewy pearls makes every bite a surprise. Whether you keep it simple with store-bought sponge or go all in with homemade chiffon, there’s plenty of room to customize. Add fruit like kiwi and mango for a tropical twist, or try a matcha cream filling for something earthy and calming.

If you’re new to baking, don’t worry—this is a recipe you can totally handle. It uses approachable ingredients and steps that are beginner-friendly. In fact, you’ll find similar approachable cake ideas in Emma’s birthday cake collection and creative seasonal recipes, which also offer tips for decorating with kids. And for busy parents, shortcuts like using angel food cake or store-bought tapioca can help save time without sacrificing fun.

How to Make Boba Cake from Scratch

Ingredients that bring the boba magic to life

To make a truly delightful boba cake, you’ll need a few different layers and textures, but don’t let that intimidate you. Everything can be prepared in stages—even with little helpers around! Here’s what you’ll need for each component:

Chiffon Cake Base (for a 6-inch cake):

• 3 large eggs (about 60g each with shell)
• 50g cake flour
• 30g vegetable oil (or corn oil)
• 30g milk (or soymilk, oat milk, or coconut milk)
• 45g sugar
• 1 black tea bag (2g ground)
• Optional: ½ tsp vanilla extract + ½ tsp lemon juice

Milk Tea Whipped Cream:

• 3 cups heavy whipping cream
• 6 black tea bags (or 15g loose leaf)
• ⅓ cup sugar
• Optional: 2 tsp gelatin powder + 2 tbsp cold water (for stabilization)

Marshmallow Fondant for decoration:

• 150g marshmallows (about 23)
• 300g powdered sugar
• 20g cold water
• Black powdered food coloring (or substitute with chocolate discs)

Optional Fruit Layer:

• ½ cup diced mango
• ½ cup kiwi
• ½ cup pineapple

Boba layer (store-bought or homemade):

• Tapioca pearls, brown sugar syrup, or even your favorite bubble tea for the center.

These ingredients are flexible. For a twist, swap the black tea with matcha or cocoa powder for a unique flavor. For more flavor swaps, check our flavor mix-ins guide and don’t miss our milk tea cupcake recipe for small-batch inspiration.

Step-by-step guide to assembling your boba cake

Step 1: Make the cake base.
Bake two or three 6-inch chiffon cakes. If you’re short on time, use store-bought sponge cake or angel food cake. Once cooled, slice each cake horizontally in half and cut out a circle from the center of each layer (except one, which will be your base).

Step 2: Make the milk tea whipped cream.
Infuse black tea into hot cream and sugar on the stove. Strain and chill. Once cold, whip into stiff peaks. Gelatin can be added beforehand to help it hold shape longer, especially for warm kitchen days.

Step 3: Layer the cake.
Start with the uncut base cake layer. Spread whipped cream, top with fruit, then stack a hollow cake layer. Repeat until you reach the top. Place a boba tea cup filled with bubble tea into the hollow center, then frost the entire cake.

Step 4: Decorate with fondant.
Use the marshmallow fondant to create a “cheese foam” top. Cut small black circles from the dyed fondant (or use chocolate) to mimic boba pearls. Press them gently into the frosting around the cake.

For bonus smiles, use fondant to add cute facial features or write your child’s name on top. You’ll find more decorating tips in Emma’s cake styling section, which shows how to personalize your cake with ease.

Flavor Twists & Cute Decorating Ideas for Your Boba Cake

Creative boba cake flavors for every celebration

Boba cake is a beautiful blank canvas for flavor creativity. Whether you’re planning a birthday surprise, a weekend baking project, or a tea party treat, switching up the flavors can make it feel brand new every time.

Here are a few of our family favorites:

• Matcha Boba Cake – Add 1 tbsp matcha powder to your cake batter and whipped cream for an earthy, slightly bitter flavor that pairs beautifully with sweet boba pearls. It’s especially lovely with white chocolate drizzle or strawberries.
• Brown Sugar Boba Cake – Infuse your cream with dark brown sugar or molasses instead of regular sugar for a caramelized, smoky note that mimics your favorite bubble tea shops.
• Taro Boba Cake – Add taro paste to the whipped cream and a hint of coconut milk to the sponge for a nutty, purple-tinted twist.
• Coffee Milk Tea Cake – Replace tea with instant coffee or espresso powder to make a boba cake that feels more grown-up—great for brunch or bridal showers.

If you’re curious about more flavor pairings, check our flavor ideas section for inspiration tailored to seasonal fruits and kid-friendly favorites.

Decorating tips that are cute, fun, and easy

Even if you’re not a pro decorator, you can create a cake that looks bakery-worthy. Here’s how to keep it simple but adorable:

• Boba pearls on the outside – Instead of fondant, try real cooked boba pearls pressed gently into the whipped cream right before serving. They’ll shine and glisten, and kids love helping place them.
• Use cookie cutters – Roll out the fondant and use mini cookie cutters to cut hearts, stars, or letters. This is a great way to personalize the cake with your child’s name.
• Add a fondant straw – Roll up fondant into a thick straw and place it at a fun angle in the top center. It mimics a real bubble tea drink!
• Dust with powdered sugar or matcha – Lightly sifting a topping over the cake adds elegance and flavor without effort.

For more decorating guides with step-by-step visuals, explore our decorating ideas collection or try our popular birthday cake tutorials, where Emma shares her favorite time-saving tricks.

Storing, Serving & Celebrating with Boba Cake

How to store your boba cake (and make it ahead)

Boba cake is best enjoyed fresh, especially with homemade whipped cream and boba pearls, but here’s how to plan ahead or store leftovers without losing quality:

• Assemble a day before – You can build the full cake (minus fresh boba topping) and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Wrap it lightly with plastic wrap or place in a cake container to prevent drying out.
• Add boba just before serving – Cooked tapioca pearls tend to harden in the fridge, so for the best chewy texture, make them fresh and spoon them on top of the cake shortly before serving.
• Leftovers? – Cover slices tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days. The whipped cream may start to loosen slightly but will still taste wonderful. Store leftover boba pearls separately in syrup at room temp for up to 6 hours.

For those of you who love batch baking, Emma also shares freezer-friendly cakes and make-ahead party tips in her freezer tips section, which includes how to wrap cake layers like a pro.

Serving ideas and special occasion twists

One of the best parts of boba cake is how versatile it is for every celebration. Here are a few fun ways to serve it:

• Birthday centerpiece – Add a candle into the fondant straw and write the birthday child’s name with letter cut-outs. It’s a showstopper.
• Bubble tea party – Slice small squares and serve with mini cups of bubble tea for a themed tea party. Add sprinkles or edible glitter for sparkle.
• Mini boba cupcakes – Use the same whipped cream and boba pearls on top of mini cupcakes instead of a full cake for classroom-friendly treats.
• Baby shower version – Use pastel-colored fondant, a light milk tea flavor, and a gentle fruit layer like banana or peach for a soothing dessert table addition.

You’ll find more event-specific ideas in Emma’s celebration cakes category, where boba cake can be adapted for holidays, anniversaries, or even bridal events.

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