If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably sneaked a Milky Way bar or two from the candy stash. That rich caramel, creamy nougat, and silky milk chocolate combo always hits the spot.

So, I thought, why not take that indulgent candy bar and turn it into a full-blown dessert? That’s how this Milky Way Bar Cake was born—and let me tell you, it’s pure chocolatey bliss in every bite.
Can You Eat This Recipe Every Day?
As tempting as it is, I wouldn’t recommend eating this Milky Way Bar Cake every day. It’s rich, loaded with sugar, and meant to be a special treat—not a daily indulgence. I make it when I’m celebrating, craving comfort, or baking for others.
Sure, a small slice now and then won’t hurt, but balance is key. I enjoy this cake in moderation and pair it with healthier meals throughout the day. That way, I satisfy my sweet tooth without overdoing it.
Basic Information Of Milky Way Bar Cake Recipe?
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Yield: 10-12 slices
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Saucepan
- Rubber spatula
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Cooling rack
- Knife (for slicing Milky Way bars)
- Whisk
🧾 Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 6 Milky Way bars (full-size), chopped
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 more Milky Way bars, chopped (for topping)
🍰 How To Make Milky Way Bar Cake Recipe?
1. Melt the Milky Way Bars
I started by melting the chopped Milky Way bars with butter in a saucepan over low heat. I stirred constantly until smooth and creamy. Then I set it aside to cool slightly.
2. Cream the Sugar and Eggs
In a large mixing bowl, I beat together the sugar and eggs until they turned light and fluffy. This gave the cake a beautiful texture.
3. Add the Vanilla and Melted Mixture
I mixed in the vanilla extract and then poured in the slightly cooled Milky Way-butter mixture. I stirred until everything blended well.
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients
I whisked together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
5. Alternate Adding Buttermilk and Dry Ingredients
I added the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. I began and ended with the flour. I didn’t overmix—just enough to combine.
6. Bake the Cake
I poured the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan and baked it at 350°F (175°C) for about 40 minutes. I checked with a toothpick—it came out clean.
7. Cool the Cake
I let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then moved it to a cooling rack to finish.
8. Make the Frosting
For the frosting, I whisked together softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla until smooth and spreadable.
9. Frost and Decorate
Once the cake cooled, I spread the frosting evenly and sprinkled the chopped Milky Way bars on top. Done!
📊 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 410
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 58g
- Sugars: 42g
- Protein: 4g
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
I love serving this Milky Way Bar Cake slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sometimes, I drizzle a little extra caramel sauce over the top for an extra wow.
If I’m making this for a party, I cut it into bite-sized squares and serve it on a dessert platter. Trust me, it disappears fast.
Special Tips For Milky Way Bar Cake Recipe
Here are a few personal tips that help me get the best flavor and texture every time I bake this Milky Way Bar Cake:
✅ Chop the Bars Small
I always chop the Milky Way bars into small pieces before melting. It helps them melt evenly with the butter and prevents lumps in the batter.
✅ Let the Mixture Cool
After melting the Milky Way bars with butter, I always let the mixture cool for a few minutes. If it’s too hot, it can scramble the eggs when added—and I’ve made that mistake once!
✅ Don’t Skip the Buttermilk
Buttermilk makes this cake extra tender and gives it a light tang that balances all the sweetness. If I don’t have buttermilk, I make a quick version by mixing 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
✅ Use Room-Temperature Eggs
Cold eggs don’t mix well into the batter. I leave them out for about 30 minutes before I start baking. It helps the cake rise better and keeps the texture smooth.
✅ Frost Only When Cooled
This cake smells so good when it comes out of the oven, but I always wait until it’s fully cool before frosting. Otherwise, the frosting melts and slides right off.
✅ Add Extra Milky Way on Top
Right after I frost the cake, I press extra chopped Milky Way pieces into the top. It gives the cake a fun look and adds more texture—and honestly, more candy never hurts.
🌱 Health Benefits (Let’s Be Honest)
While this cake is definitely not diet food, it is food for the soul. It lifts my mood with every bite. The joy it brings is a benefit in itself.
Plus, the eggs and buttermilk do provide a little protein and calcium. But let’s be real—I’m eating this because it makes me happy, not healthy.
How To Store Milky Way Bar Cake
I usually store this cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If my kitchen feels warm or humid, I keep it in the fridge instead—it stays fresh for up to 5 days chilled.
Just make sure it’s covered well so it doesn’t dry out. Before serving, I like to let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes.
That softens the frosting and brings back that just-baked texture. If I want it warm again, I pop a slice in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds—pure heaven!
FAQ – Milky Way Bar Cake Recipe
Can I use fun-size Milky Way bars instead of full-size?
Yes, I often use fun-size bars when that’s what I have on hand. Just use about 2 fun-size bars for every 1 full-size bar.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely. I usually bake the cake a day in advance and store it covered at room temperature. I wait to frost it until just before serving for the freshest taste.
Can I freeze Milky Way Bar Cake?
Yes, I’ve frozen it before. Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Can I use a cake mix as a shortcut?
If I’m short on time, I sometimes use a chocolate or devil’s food cake mix and stir the melted Milky Way mixture into the batter. It still tastes amazing!
What can I use instead of buttermilk?
When I don’t have buttermilk, I mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes. It works just fine.
Can I turn this into cupcakes?
Yes! I’ve made cupcakes with the same batter. Just fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake at 350°F for 18–20 minutes.
📝 Note
Make sure the Milky Way mixture cools slightly before mixing it into the eggs. If it’s too hot, you’ll end up cooking the eggs—which I’ve done once, and trust me, it’s not pretty.
🔚 Conclusion
This Milky Way Bar Cake is everything I want in a chocolate dessert: gooey, rich, and packed with nostalgic candy bar flavor.
It’s the kind of recipe I make when I need a little comfort or want to wow a crowd. I hope you’ll try it and love it as much as I do.
If you make it, don’t forget to let it cool before frosting—and maybe hide a piece or two for yourself before everyone else digs in.
Milky Way Bar Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- I started by melting the chopped Milky Way bars with butter in a saucepan over low heat. I stirred constantly until smooth and creamy. Then I set it aside to cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, I beat together the sugar and eggs until they turned light and fluffy. This gave the cake a beautiful texture.
- I mixed in the vanilla extract and then poured in the slightly cooled Milky Way-butter mixture. I stirred until everything blended well.
- I whisked together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Alternate Adding Buttermilk and Dry Ingredients
- I added the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. I began and ended with the flour. I didn’t overmix—just enough to combine.
- I poured the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan and baked it at 350°F (175°C) for about 40 minutes. I checked with a toothpick—it came out clean.
- I let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then moved it to a cooling rack to finish.
- For the frosting, I whisked together softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla until smooth and spreadable.
- Once the cake cooled, I spread the frosting evenly and sprinkled the chopped Milky Way bars on top. Done!