Classic Birthday Cake

4.59 from 29 votes

The ultimate birthday cake recipe! A classic yellow cake with a rich chocolate frosting and colorful sprinkles. The perfect flashback to your childhood.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 40

Total Time 2 40

Servings

Calories 683kcal

Author Olivia

Ingredients

Yellow Cake:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs room temperature
2 tsp clear vanilla extract *
1 cup whole milk room temperature

Chocolate Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar sifted
1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder sifted
6 oz good quality semi-sweet chocolate chopped, melted, cooled
2-4 Tbsp whole milk room temperature

Assembly:

birthday sprinkles

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Vanilla Cake:

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour two 8" cake rounds and line with parchment.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on med-high until pale and fluffy (approx 3mins). Reduce speed and add eggs one at a time fully incorporating after each addition. Add vanilla.
Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour (3 additions of flour and 2 of milk). Fully incorporating after each addition.
Bake for 35-40mins or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
Place cakes on wire rack to cool for 10mins then turn out onto wire rack.

Chocolate Frosting

In a large bowl, whisk sifted powdered sugar and cocoa powder to combine. Set aside.
Beat butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, beating well between each addition. Beat until smooth (approx 5mins).
Add in cooled melted chocolate and beat until combined. Add in milk until desired consistency is reached (I added all 4 Tbsp).

Assembly:

Place one layer of cake on a cake stand or serving plate. Top with approximately 1 cup of buttercream. Repeat with remaining layer and crumb coat the cake. Chill for 20mins.
Frost the top and sides of the cake in a rustic manner using an offset spatula.
Decorate the top with sprinkles and decorative flags if desired.

Notes

* Clear vanilla extract is artificial and I find gives more of that classic birthday cake flavor. You can use any kind of vanilla though.

Nutrition

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