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–+ servings
21st birthday cake

Golden 21st Birthday Cake

A stunning layered vanilla and berry cake by Ella Chef, featuring silky buttercream, golden touches, and fresh fruit for a sophisticated 21st birthday celebration.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: European
Calories: 470
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Vanilla Cake Layers
  • 2 ½ cups cake flour sifted
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup whole milk room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
Berry Filling
  • 2 cups mixed berries fresh or frozen
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
Buttercream Frosting
  • 1 ½ cups unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 3 tbsp milk or cream as needed
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • fresh berries and edible gold dust for decoration

Equipment

  • Electric mixer
  • 8-inch Cake Pans
  • Cooling rack
  • Offset Spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch pans. Line with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
  3. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
  4. Alternate adding the dry mixture and milk until a smooth batter forms. Divide evenly into pans.
  5. Bake 30–35 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.
  6. For the berry filling, simmer berries, sugar, and lemon juice until thickened. Cool completely.
  7. Beat butter for frosting until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, then milk and vanilla until smooth.
  8. Layer cake with berry filling and frosting. Frost the outside thinly for a semi-naked look. Decorate with berries and gold accents.

Nutrition

Calories: 470kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 6gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 210mgFiber: 2gSugar: 39g

Notes

Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes before serving for clean slices. Edible gold leaf or shimmer dust enhances the festive effect.
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