Bento cake. I first heard those words one rainy Sunday afternoon in my aunt’s kitchen. She had pulled out one of her old recipe notebooks from Seoul and prepared a tiny, round cake layered with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, nestled inside a burger box. Just one look, and I was hooked.

She explained that this mini dessert—popular in South Korea—is made for personal gifting, celebration, or just a sweet pick-me-up. The presentation was simple, but the taste? Moist sponge, fruity filling, and creamy frosting. From that moment on, the bento cake became my go-to dessert: stylish, thoughtful, and easy to make at home.

What Is a Bento Cake?

A Trendy Mini Cake from Korea

South Korea is where the bento cake, sometimes known as a lunch box cake, first appeared. It’s designed as a compact layer cake served in a burger-style box—perfect for one or two people. Due to its eye-catching appearance and customized messaging, this adorable treat soon became well-known on Instagram and TikTok.

Bento Cake: The Adorable Korean Dessert That’s Taking Over

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• Author: desserts desserts
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 2 bento cakes (2–4 servings) 1x

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Description

A charming mini cake inspired by Korean lunch box trends, this bento cake features fluffy sponge, fresh strawberries, and creamy buttercream frosting. Perfect for gifting or indulging solo.

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Ingredients

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For the Sponge Cake

• 3 eggs
• 90g (6 tbsp) sugar
• 1 pinch of salt
• 90g (3/4 cup) all-purpose flour
• 6g (1 tsp) baking powder
• 45g (3 tbsp) softened butter
• Strawberry jam (to fill)
• Fresh strawberries (sliced, for filling)

For the Buttercream Frosting

• 125ml (1/2 cup) water
• 125g (1 cup) FunCakes buttercream mix
• 150g (2/3 cup) unsalted softened butter

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Instructions

• Bake the Sponge

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).

  • Separate egg whites from yolks. Whisk yolks with sugar until pale.

  • Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff.

  • Gently fold whites into yolk mixture.

  • Sift in flour and baking powder, then fold in melted butter.

  • Pour batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

  • Bake for 20 minutes. Cool completely.

• Make the Buttercream

  • Mix water and buttercream powder. Let rest in the fridge for 1 hour.

  • Add butter in thirds and beat until smooth.

  • Whip on high speed for 10 minutes until fluffy.

• Assemble the Cake

  • Cut 4 sponge circles using a 9.5 cm (3.7 in) round cutter.

  • Place one circle inside a burger box.

  • Pipe a buttercream ring, fill with jam and fresh strawberries.

  • Add second sponge, cover with buttercream, smooth, and decorate.

Notes

• Best eaten within 48 hours for freshness.
• You can substitute jam with ganache, compote, or curd.
• Add food coloring to the buttercream for themed decoration.
• Sponge layers can be baked a day in advance and chilled.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 25 minutes (includes chilling)
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dessert, Cakes, Gifting
• Method: Baking, Frosting, Assembling
• Cuisine: Korean-inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 mini cake
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg

Bento vs. Traditional Cakes

Unlike traditional large layer cakes, bento cakes are small, portable, and easier to decorate. They’re built with two sponge layers, filled with jam or fruit, and topped with piped frosting. Despite their size, they pack in just as much flavor and creativity.

Tools & Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Sponge

For the Buttercream

Tools

• Sheet pan or rectangular cake mold
• 9.5 cm round cookie cutter
• Piping bag with plain round tip
• Offset spatula
• Parchment paper
• Kraft burger boxes (for serving)

Bento Cake Strawberry Recipe

Steps

1. Sponge Cake
   • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
   • Separate egg yolks and whites. Whisk yolks with sugar.
   • Add the salt and beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
   • Fold into yolk mixture with a spatula.
   • Sift in flour + baking powder, then add melted butter.
   • Pour into lined pan, bake 20 minutes, cool completely.
2. Buttercream
   • Mix water + buttercream powder. Chill 1 hour.
   • One-third at a time, beat in butter until frothy (10 minutes on high speed).
3. Assemble the Bento Cake
   • Cut 4 sponge circles with cutter.
   • Pipe a buttercream ring on the first disk, fill with jam + strawberries.
   • Top with second disk, frost top/sides.
   • Decorate as desired.

Creative Bento Cake Decoration Ideas

Keep It Simple & Cute

Minimalist designs are trendy. A smooth layer of frosting, a hand-piped message, and a few edible flowers or fruit slices can turn your cake into a masterpiece.

Themes to Try

Flavor Variations to Explore

Chocolate Lover’s

Replace 20g flour with cocoa powder and add chocolate chips. Fill with ganache or Nutella. Decorate with cocoa buttercream and dark chocolate shavings.

Tropical Twist

Try mango jam, passion fruit curd, or pineapple pieces inside. Match with coconut or lime-flavored buttercream.

Pistachio & Rose

Add rosewater to sponge and crushed pistachios in the cream. Garnish with edible petals.

Vegan or Gluten-Free

Use plant-based milk/yogurt and gluten-free flour blends. Vegan butter also works great in the frosting.

Storage, Travel & Tips

Shelf Life

Bento cakes can be stored in the refrigerator, firmly wrapped, for two to three days.. Eat within 48 hours if fresh fruits are used.

Travel Safely

Keep in a sturdy burger box. Use an insulated bag or cooler if transporting in warm weather. Frosted bento cakes should always stay chilled.

Freezing

You can freeze the sponge only. Frosting and fruit fillings don’t freeze well due to texture loss.

When to Gift or Eat a Bento Cake

• Birthdays & Anniversaries
• Apologies or Thank You gifts
• Holiday surprises
• Corporate treats or product launches
• Self-care dessert night

FAQ – Bento Cake Basics

Final Thoughts – Small Cake, Big Impact

The bento cake proves that you don’t need something big to make a bold impression. Whether you’re gifting it or enjoying it solo, its charm lies in the details: soft sponge, vibrant colors, and thoughtful design. It’s simple to prepare, enjoyable to decorate, and even nicer to consume.

Try it once, and you might never go back to full-sized cakes again!