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Classic Birthday Cake with Sprinkles

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A reliable, moist vanilla birthday cake with tender crumb and rich vanilla buttercream frosting, topped with colorful sprinkles. Simple ingredients and easy techniques make this a crowd-pleaser for any celebration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons Baking Powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Fine Sea Salt
  • 1 cup (226g) Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) Granulated Sugar
  • 4 large Eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
  • 1 ¼ cups (300ml) Whole Milk
  • 1 cup (226g) Unsalted Butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 to 5 cups (480-600g) Confectioners’ Sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tablespoons Heavy Cream
  • 1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract (for frosting)
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt (for frosting)
  • ½ cup Jimmies Sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter or non-stick spray, dust with flour, and line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt for 30 seconds to aerate and remove lumps. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  4. Reduce speed to medium. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down sides of the bowl. Add vanilla extract.
  5. Turn mixer to low. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk in two parts (ending with flour). Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans (approx. 450g per pan). Bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Test with a toothpick; it should come out clean.
  7. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. While cakes cool, make frosting: Beat softened butter until creamy. Add confectioners’ sugar one cup at a time on low speed. Increase to high and beat for 3 minutes.
  9. Add heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on high for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with more cream or sugar if needed.
  10. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Add second layer. Frost top and sides with remaining buttercream.
  11. Press sprinkles onto the top and sides of the frosted cake.

Notes

Ensure all ingredients (butter and eggs) are at room temperature for proper emulsification. Do not overmix the batter once flour is added to avoid a tough texture. Rotate pans halfway through baking for even browning. Cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: birthday cake, vanilla cake, sprinkles, buttercream frosting, easy cake recipe, celebration cake, homemade cake

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/classic-birthday-cake-with-sprinkles-5-easy-steps/