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Homemade Birthday Cake Recipe with Fluffy Vanilla Layers and Buttercream

Homemade Birthday Cake

A fluffy two-layer vanilla birthday cake covered with smooth vanilla buttercream and colorful sprinkles. This classic celebration cake is tender, cheerful, and easy to decorate at home.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Vanilla Cake
  • 2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons Baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Fine salt
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 3/4 cups Granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs Large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons Pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups Whole milk
Vanilla Buttercream
  • 1 1/2 cups Unsalted butter, softened
  • 6 cups Powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Pure vanilla extract
  • 5 tablespoons Heavy cream or milk
Decoration
  • 1/3 cup Rainbow sprinkles
  • as needed Birthday candles

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment, and lightly dust the sides with flour.
  2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, then add the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla.
  3. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk in two additions. Mix only until the batter is smooth, then divide it evenly between the prepared pans.
  4. Bake for 23 to 27 minutes, until the tops spring back lightly and a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Cool the cakes in their pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a rack to cool completely.
  5. Beat the butter for 3 minutes until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in the vanilla and cream until the buttercream is smooth, fluffy, and easy to spread.
  6. Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread it with buttercream, and top it with the second layer. Cover the top and sides with the remaining frosting, then finish with sprinkles and candles.

Notes

For clean slices, chill the decorated cake for 20 to 30 minutes before serving. Store covered at room temperature for one day or in the refrigerator for up to four days, bringing it to room temperature before serving.