Description
This simple birthday cake recipe is the perfect choice for any occasion. With just a few ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, you’ll have a moist and fluffy cake that’s easy to make from scratch. The creamy buttercream frosting adds the finishing touch, making it a delightful treat for birthdays and special events.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 3 large eggs
- 4 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (for frosting)
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step ensures a soft, airy texture for your simple birthday cake.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing well after each addition.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting by creaming the butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy.
- Once the cakes have cooled, spread a layer of frosting on top of the first cake layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake.
- Let the frosting set before serving your simple birthday cake.
Notes
- You can make this simple birthday cake gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- If you prefer a lighter frosting, you can substitute buttercream with whipped cream or cream cheese frosting.
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT30M
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 414
- Sugar: 58g
- Sodium: 217mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 134mg
Keywords: simple birthday cake, easy birthday cake, homemade birthday cake, moist birthday cake, buttercream frosting, vanilla cake, classic birthday cake