Martha Stewart Birthday Meatloaf “Cake”

Martha Stewart Birthday Meatloaf "Cake" turns ground beef, oats and creamy Yukon Gold mashed potatoes into a tender layered meatloaf dinner in about 1 hour 15 minutes. Try this fun kids' birthday lunch idea for spring parties or family dinner, since it bakes in two cake pans and looks like a real cake.

Bake both meatloaf layers until an instant-read thermometer reads 160°F, because that is how you know the beef is cooked through but still tender. Pull them early and the middle stays underdone, and baking past it dries the layers out before the potato frosting goes on.

Martha bakes the meatloaf in two 9-inch cake pans, so you get real stacked layers with a pea filling that shows when you cut a slice. She also cuts little circles from boiled carrot peels with a piping tip, which turns plain mashed potatoes into birthday cake decorations.

Martha Stewart Birthday Meatloaf “Cake”

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Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

45

minutes

Calories

380

kcal

Two tender oat-bound meatloaf layers are stacked with peas and frosted with creamy piped mashed potatoes. Once sliced, it looks like a birthday cake but eats like a cozy dinner.

Ingredients

• Vegetable-oil cooking spray
  

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
  

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
  

• 1 (about ½ cup) celery stalk, finely chopped
  

• 2 1/2 pounds ground beef
  

• 1 small carrot, peeled and finely grated (about ½ cup), peels reserved for decorating
  

• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  

• 1 tablespoon ground mustard
  

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  

• Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes
  

• 1/4 cup cooked green peas
  

Directions

• Prep the pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat two 9-by-2-inch round cake pans with cooking spray. Then set them aside while you start the vegetables.
• Cook the vegetables: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium skillet over medium heat, then add the chopped onion, minced garlic and chopped celery. Cook about 7 minutes until softened, then move everything to a large bowl to cool.
• Mix the meatloaf: Add 2 1/2 pounds ground beef, the grated carrot, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, egg, oats, ground mustard, salt and pepper to the cooled vegetables. Mix it all thoroughly with your hands so the oats and seasoning spread evenly.
• Bake the layers: Gently press the mixture into the prepared pans and bake about 25 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer reads 160°F. Let the layers stand 5 minutes, then slide a spatula under each. Move them to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet and tent with foil.
• Cook the carrot peels: Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a small pan and add the reserved carrot peels. Cook about 1 minute until tender, then lift them out with a slotted spoon onto paper towels to drain.
• Stack the cake: Set 1 meatloaf on a platter and spread 1 cup warm mashed potatoes over the top. Sprinkle on 3 tablespoons peas, then set the second meatloaf on top.
• Frost and decorate: Frost the top and sides with 3 cups mashed potatoes. Fill a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip with the rest and pipe borders around the cake. Punch circles from the carrot peels with a 1/4-inch plain round tip, decorate with them and the remaining peas, and serve immediately.

Tools for this recipe

• Fat Daddio's 9-inch round cake pans, set of 2, ThermoPro instant-read thermometer, Riccle piping bags and tips set. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I make the birthday meatloaf cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the meatloaf layers up to 1 day ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Reheat them at 325°F for 15 to 20 minutes, then make the potato frosting and assemble just before serving.

Can I swap the ground beef for another meat?

Ground turkey or a beef and pork mix works in the same amount, since the oats and egg hold the layers together. Check that the thermometer still reads 160°F, and expect turkey to be a bit leaner.

What can I use if I don't have 9-inch cake pans?

Two 9-inch round pans give the cake look, but you can press the mixture into a pair of 8-inch rounds for thicker layers. Bake a few minutes longer and go by the thermometer, not the clock.

How do I store leftover meatloaf cake?

Cover leftover slices and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a 325°F oven until hot, because the microwave can make the potato frosting watery.

What is the most common mistake with this recipe?

Frosting the cake too early is the big one, since the warm potatoes can get dull and stiff while they wait. Assemble right before serving and pipe while the potatoes are still warm so they spread and pipe smoothly.