🎀 Pink Birthday Cake
This Pink Birthday Cake is the ultimate showstopper for birthdays and special occasions! With its soft, tender pink vanilla cake layers and dreamy pink buttercream frosting, this cake is as delicious as it is beautiful. Whether you're celebrating a little girl’s birthday, a baby shower, or simply love pink, this cake is easy to make, color, and customize.
Equipment
- 2 (8-inch or 9-inch) round cake pans
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Large mixing bowls
- Rubber spatula
- wire cooling rack
- Offset spatula
- Food coloring (pink gel)
Ingredients
For the Pink Cake:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large egg whites room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk room temperature
- Pink gel food coloring start with 1–2 drops
For the Pink Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 –3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- Pinch of salt
- Pink gel food coloring optional for brighter shade
- Sprinkles or edible pearls optional, for decoration
Instructions
Make the Cake:
Prep & Preheat:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two round cake pans with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter & Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add Egg Whites & Vanilla:
- Beat in egg whites one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
Add Food Coloring & Milk:
- Stir in a drop or two of pink food coloring to get a soft pink hue. Then alternate adding dry ingredients and milk in 3 additions, mixing just until combined.
Bake:
- Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool:
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Make the Pink Buttercream:
Cream the Butter:
- Beat butter for 2–3 minutes until creamy.
Add Sugar & Vanilla:
- Gradually beat in sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and cream. Add more cream if needed for spreadability.
Color the Frosting:
- Add pink gel coloring a little at a time until desired shade is achieved.
Frost & Decorate:
Assemble Layers:
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a thick layer of frosting over the top.
Add Second Layer:
- Place second cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the cake evenly.
Decorate:
- Decorate with sprinkles, edible glitter, pearls, or fresh flowers for a stunning pink cake!
Notes
Use pink gel food coloring for the best color intensity without altering the batter or frosting consistency. Whipped egg whites give this cake its airy, tender texture. You can add strawberry extract for a fruity twist!