Pink Vanilla Birthday Cake
This Pink Vanilla Birthday Cake is a showstopper for any celebration! With its moist, fluffy layers of vanilla cake and creamy pink buttercream frosting, it’s as delicious as it is beautiful. Perfect for birthdays, this cake brings joy and a pop of color to the table, ensuring a memorable treat for everyone!
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- electric mixer,
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- 2 x 9-inch round cake pans
- Spatula
- Wire Rack
- piping bag (optional)
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- Pink food coloring gel for best results
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 2-4 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- Pink food coloring
- Optional Decorations
Sprinkles
- Fresh flowers
- Edible glitter
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Extracts
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla and almond extracts.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Step 6: Add Pink Food Coloring
- Add pink food coloring a little at a time until you reach your desired shade. Mix well.
Step 7: Bake the Cakes
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Step 8: Make the Frosting
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add the vanilla and enough cream or milk to reach your desired frosting consistency. Incorporate pink food coloring to achieve the desired shade.
Step 9: Assemble the Cake
- Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving platter. Spread a layer of frosting on top, then add the second layer and repeat. Place the third layer on top and frost the entire cake, smoothing the frosting for a clean finish.
Step 10: Decorate
- Feel free to add sprinkles, edible glitter, or fresh flowers for an extra festive touch!
Notes
If you prefer a different color, simply swap the pink gel food coloring for any shade you like. You can also experiment with adding different flavor extracts to the frosting, such as almond or strawberry, to complement the cake’s vanilla base.