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The Best Birthday Cake Recipe

The Best Birthday Cake Recipe

The Best Birthday Cake Recipe: A soft and fluffy vanilla yellow cake loaded with colorful sprinkles and frosted with chocolate cream cheese frosting.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Cake, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 slices
Calories 727 kcal

Equipment

  • stand mixer
  • Mixing Bowls
  • baking pans
  • spatula
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

Birthday Cake

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs room temperature preferred
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour may substitute 500g cake flour
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons salt
  • 2 cups buttermilk room temperature preferred
  • 0.5 cup colorful sprinkles used sequin sprinkles but standard sprinkles will also work

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 12 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 5.25 cups powdered sugar 656g
  • 0.75 cup natural cocoa powder

Instructions
 

Cake Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and grease and flour the sides and bottom of three 8” or 9” baking pans.
  • Add butter to the bowl of a stand mixer or to a large bowl. Beat until smooth.
  • Add sugar and beat until well-combined.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  • Stir in vanilla extract.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  • Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture until all ingredients are combined.
  • Stir in sprinkles.
  • Evenly divide batter into prepared pans and bake for 28-34 minutes.
  • Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto cooling racks.

Frosting Preparation

  • Combine butter and cream cheese in a large bowl and beat until creamy.
  • Stir in vanilla extract and salt.
  • Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low-speed until combined, then stir in cocoa powder.

Notes

If you don't have buttermilk, check out my easy buttermilk substitute using regular milk and lemon juice or vinegar. For frosting alternatives, ensure that you increase the recipe by at least 50%.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 727kcalCarbohydrates: 110gProtein: 7gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 474mgPotassium: 223mgFiber: 2gSugar: 83gVitamin A: 1000IUCalcium: 93mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Birthday Cake, celebration cake, chocolate frosting, The Best Birthday Cake Recipe, Vanilla Cake
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