Nothing says celebration like a beautifully crafted birthday cake made at home. Elegant, moist, and decadent, this cake brings a touch of fine dining to your kitchen. With layers of fluffy sponge, silky frosting, and your favorite flavors, it’s perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion worth celebrating.
Why You’ll Love This Birthday Cake
✔️ Moist & Fluffy – Perfectly soft sponge that melts in your mouth.
✔️ Customizable – Pick your favorite flavors, fillings, and decorations.
✔️ Elegant Presentation – Looks like it came straight from a pastry chef.
✔️ Beginner-Friendly – Step-by-step instructions make it achievable at home.
Classic Birthday Cake
Ingredients (for a 2-layer cake):
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2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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2 ½ tsp baking powder
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½ tsp salt
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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2 cups sugar
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4 large eggs
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1 tbsp vanilla extract
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1 cup whole milk
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Optional: food coloring, fruit compote, or chocolate chips
Buttercream Frosting:
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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4 cups powdered sugar
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2 tsp vanilla extract
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2–4 tbsp milk or cream
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
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In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
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In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
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Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
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Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Prepare frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and spreadable.
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Frost the cooled cakes, adding layers, filling, or decorations as desired.
Tip: For a perfectly even cake, level each layer with a serrated knife before frosting.
Flavor Variations
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Chocolate Delight: Replace ½ cup flour with cocoa powder and add chocolate chips.
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Fruit-Filled: Add a layer of raspberry or strawberry jam between layers.
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Vanilla Bean Elegance: Use vanilla bean paste instead of extract for a gourmet flavor.
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Vegan Option: Replace eggs with flax eggs and butter with plant-based alternatives.
Pro Tip: Create Stunning Cake Layers Like a Pastry Chef
Use a cake turntable and offset spatula for smooth frosting. For an extra wow factor, lightly toast nuts or sprinkle edible flowers on top to make your homemade birthday cake look like it belongs in a fine dining restaurant.
Explore our selection of cake turntables here.
