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4.88 from 8 votes

Birthday Cake Recipe

A classic fluffy, yellow birthday cake with creamy chocolate icing that's perfect for any birthday celebration!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 8" Birthday Cake
Calories: 5048kcal
Author: Eden
Cost: $15

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces unsalted butter room temp
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 cup buttermilk full fat

Instructions

  • Grease two 8 inch round cake pans. To make sure the came comes out easily, cut a round piece of parchment paper and grease it to the bottom of the cake pan.
  • In an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until whipped. Add in the eggs one at a time and continue to beat on medium.
  • Turn the mixer to low and add in sour cream and vanilla extract.
  • Alternate the flour mixture with the buttermilk while the mixer is on low. 
  • Using a spatula, scrape the bottom and sides of the mixer to incorporate all of the ingredients.
  • Divide and pour the batter into both pans evenly. 
  • Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 25-30 minutes. 
  • Let the cakes cool and then remove them from the pan. 
  • Cut off the top part of the cake that has risen in the center to give yourself a flat surface to stack them
  • While the cakes are cooling, whip up a batch of our chocolate buttercream frosting.
  • Place one layer of cake on a cake stand or marble platter and add a giant dollop of buttercream over the top. 
  • Spread it out evenly and then add the second layer of cake over the top. 
  • Add another dollop of chocolate frosting over the top and spread out evenly.
  • Save about 1/4 cup frosting to do the star pattern around the edge.
  • Start frosting the sides of the cake until it’s all covered. 
  • Wipe the bottom of the cake stand to remove any chocolate frosting around the edges. 
  • Using a star tip and a piping bag, fill the bag with chocolate frosting and then pipe around the edge of the cake. 
  • Add rainbow sprinkles over the cake! 

Notes

Butter and eggs are the best room temperature.
Add the baking powder, soda, salt, and cornstarch in a bowl with the flour. Always check the dates on these items because they can go bad quickly.
Use good quality vanilla extract and butter as well as full-fat buttermilk.
Our preferred choice for flour is King Arthur Organic All-Purpose Flour.
You can also make this a sheet cake to make it easier! 

Nutrition

Calories: 5048kcal | Carbohydrates: 675g | Protein: 66g | Fat: 237g | Saturated Fat: 141g | Cholesterol: 1327mg | Sodium: 4413mg | Potassium: 1890mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 417g | Vitamin A: 7850IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 958mg | Iron: 19mg