Introduction
For Ella Chef, baking her first birthday cake was more than just about flour and frosting — it was about love and celebration. She recalls the joy of seeing her family’s faces light up as they gathered around her homemade creation, candles flickering on top of a colorful, fluffy cake. That magical moment inspired her to craft a recipe that anyone could recreate — simple, moist, and full of joy. Every birthday since, her kitchen has been filled with the aroma of vanilla and buttercream, proving that the best gifts are made by hand and shared with heart.
Classic Birthday Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients alternately with milk, mixing until smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly between pans and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
- For frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, then milk and vanilla. Mix until smooth and fluffy.
- Frost the cake layers and decorate with colored buttercream, sprinkles, and candles for a festive touch.
Nutrition
Notes
How to Make a Birthday Cake
Creating a birthday cake from scratch brings the kind of satisfaction no store-bought dessert can match. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing your cake pans. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together — this ensures even distribution and helps the cake rise perfectly.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until it turns pale and fluffy. This step is key to achieving a soft texture. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract for a fragrant, classic flavor. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, alternating with milk until the batter becomes smooth and creamy. Divide the batter evenly into your pans and bake for about 25–30 minutes. Once baked, allow the cakes to cool completely before decorating.
For the buttercream frosting, beat butter until light and creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar, a little at a time, followed by milk and vanilla extract. Whip until the texture is smooth and airy. You can separate the frosting into bowls and add food coloring to create pastel or bright shades for decorating.
Once your cakes are cooled, stack and layer them with frosting, then cover the entire cake with a smooth buttercream coat. Add swirls, sprinkles, and candles to finish your masterpiece. The result is a soft, moist cake that not only tastes delicious but looks celebration-ready.
Conclusion
Ella Chef’s Classic Birthday Cake brings timeless joy to every celebration. Its fluffy vanilla layers, creamy buttercream, and colorful decorations make it the centerpiece of any party. More than just dessert, it’s a homemade expression of love and creativity — a reminder that baking connects people through simple, heartfelt moments. Whether for a child’s first birthday or a grown-up’s special day, this cake turns ordinary gatherings into sweet, unforgettable memories.