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–+ servings
birthday cakes

Classic Birthday Cake

A colorful, fluffy, and festive birthday cake layered with buttercream frosting and endless joy!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Cooling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Batter
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole milk room temperature
  • food coloring (optional) for rainbow layers
Buttercream Frosting
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • sprinkles for decoration
  • 10 birthday candles

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Cake pans
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line your cake pans.
  2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mix.
  6. Divide batter evenly into bowls, tint with food coloring for rainbow layers if desired.
  7. Pour into pans and bake 25–30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  8. For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in cream and vanilla.
  9. Layer cakes with frosting between each tier, then cover the top and sides smoothly.
  10. Decorate with sprinkles and candles. Chill briefly before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 5gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 170mgPotassium: 90mgFiber: 1gSugar: 40gVitamin A: 600IUCalcium: 70mgIron: 1.5mg

Notes

You can make this cake ahead of time! Store layers tightly wrapped and frost the next day for convenience.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!