Print

Classic Birthday Cake with Easy Vanilla Buttercream

classic birthday cake with vanilla buttercream - featured image
Print Recipe

A tender, classic birthday cake with silky vanilla buttercream that brings back childhood memories. This foolproof recipe yields a light, fluffy cake perfect for any celebration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon (14g) baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon (6g) salt
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons (10ml) vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups (3 sticks or 340g) unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3–4 tablespoons (45-60ml) heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons (10ml) vanilla extract (for buttercream)
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.5g) salt (for buttercream)
  • ¼ cup (about 40g) rainbow sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper, grease parchment, and dust with flour.
  2. In a stand mixer or large bowl, beat softened butter on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth. Add sugar and beat on medium-high for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down bowl.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each (about 30 seconds per egg). Add vanilla extract and beat 30 seconds.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. With mixer on low, add one-third of flour mixture, beat until just combined. Add half of milk, beat until combined. Repeat with another third of flour, remaining milk, and final third of flour. Stop mixing when streaks disappear.
  6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Smooth tops. Bake 25-30 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.
  7. For buttercream: Beat softened butter on medium speed 2-3 minutes until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to low, gradually add sifted powdered sugar (1 cup at a time). Add heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time, beat on medium-high 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and salt, beat 1 minute.
  8. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread about 1 cup buttercream evenly on top. Place second layer on top. Apply thin crumb coat over entire cake, refrigerate 15 minutes. Apply remaining buttercream in thick, even layer. Top with sprinkles if desired.

Notes

Room temperature ingredients are crucial. Don’t overmix batter. Let cakes cool completely before frosting. Chill cake after crumb coat for smooth final layer. Cake can be made ahead; flavors deepen after a day.

Nutrition

Keywords: birthday cake, vanilla cake, buttercream, classic cake, celebration cake, easy cake recipe

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/classic-birthday-cake-with-easy-vanilla-buttercream/