Easy Birthday Cake Recipe

unsalted butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is a healthier fat option.

granulated sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey offers natural sweetness with additional flavor.

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: almond flour

💰Cheaper: cake flour

Almond flour is gluten-free and adds nuttiness.

frosting

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt frosting

💰Cheaper: store-bought frosting

Greek yogurt reduces sugar while adding creaminess.

Set your oven to 350°F.

Grab two round 8-inch cake pans and butter and line them with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, measure 2 and 2/3 cups of all-purpose flour using a scale for accuracy.

Add 2 and 1/4 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the flour and whisk to combine.

Set the dry ingredients aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add 3/4 cup of softened butter and beat until smooth.

Add 1 and 2/3 cups of granulated sugar to the butter and mix on high for about 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed.

Crack 3 eggs into a separate bowl to check for shells, then add them one at a time to the mixer, mixing on medium speed and scraping down the bowl after each addition.

Add 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract and mix on high for 1 minute.

Switch to a paddle attachment and measure out 1 cup of buttermilk, adding it to the mixture.

Add about 1/3 of the flour mixture to the mixer and mix on low until just combined.

Add half of the buttermilk and mix again, followed by another third of the flour mixture, mixing until just combined.

Add the remaining buttermilk and mix once more, scraping the bowl down as necessary.

Add the last bit of flour and mix until almost combined, then fold in 1/3 to 1/2 cup of sprinkles by hand with a spatula.

Distribute the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.

Wrap damp fabric strips around the edges of the pans to ensure an even bake.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the centers are springy to the touch and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Once baked, remove the cake layers from the oven and let them cool.

For the frosting, add 1 and 1/4 cups of room temperature unsalted butter to a mixing bowl and mix on medium-high for about 5 minutes until fluffy and white, scraping down the bowl halfway through.

If using unsalted butter, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the frosting mixture, if desired.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens