take the cake birthday cake recipe

I love traditional birthday cakes with funfetti or sprinkles. It’s unfortunate that as adults we rarely eat cake for birthdays, so I decided to take things into my own hands for my birthday (which is today!) I followed the Magnolia’s traditional birthday cake recipe with a few minor tweaks.

Note: I only made one layer of the cake since I’m having a small celebration. For larger groups, you can double the ingredients and make 2 round cakes to layer the cakes (which also makes for a prettier presentation). You can also use this recipe to make cupcakes.

Ingredients:

Cake Batter
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
3/4 cup self rising flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

Buttercream Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter, very soft
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoons vanilla
sprinkles or funfetti

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Grease a 9 inch round cake pan (2 if you’re layering the cakes).
3. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth.
4. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
5. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
6. Combine the flours and add in four parts, alternating with the cream and the vanilla extract, beating well after each addition.
7. Pour batter into cake pan.
8. Bake cake for 20-25 minutes.
9. Let cake cool in pan for about 10 minutes.
10. Remove cake from pan and let cool completely.
11. To make the icing – place the butter in a large mixing bowl.
12. Add the sugar and mix, and then the cream and vanilla.
13. Beat until smooth and creamy.
14. Add some sprinkles for the birthday cake touch and mix some more.
15. Chill frosting to set.
16. Spread frosting on the cake once it is chilled.
17. If you’re layering 2 cakes, add frosting to the top of one cake and add the 2nd cake on top. Spread the frosting to the layered cake and serve.