🎂 Simple Birthday Cake
This Simple Birthday Cake is soft, fluffy, and full of classic vanilla flavor—perfect for any celebration! Made from scratch with everyday ingredients, this two-layer cake is topped with creamy vanilla buttercream and colorful sprinkles. It’s the ideal go-to birthday cake recipe that’s easy to make, decorate, and customize to your liking.
Equipment
- 2 (8-inch or 9-inch) round cake pans
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Whisk
- cooling rack
- Offset spatula (for frosting)
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk room temperature
For the 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
- Sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
Make the Cake:
Preheat Oven & Prepare Pans:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two round cake pans or line with parchment circles.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter & Sugar:
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
Add Eggs & Vanilla:
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
Alternate Dry Ingredients and Milk:
- Add the flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined—do not overmix.
Bake:
- Divide the batter evenly between pans. Bake for 28–32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool:
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Make the Frosting:
Cream the Butter:
- Beat softened butter for 2–3 minutes until creamy and pale.
Add Sugar and Vanilla:
- Add sifted powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Add vanilla, salt, and cream as needed to reach your desired consistency.
Frost & Decorate:
- Spread frosting between cake layers and over the top and sides. Use an offset spatula for a smooth finish. Top with sprinkles for a festive touch!
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for best texture and even mixing. If the frosting is too thick, add more cream a teaspoon at a time. Want a chocolate version? Add ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the flour mix!