Easy Birthday Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Making a birthday cake can be a daunting task, but with the right ingredients, it can be a breeze. For this easy birthday cake recipe, you will need the following:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare the baking pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking pan by greasing it with butter or cooking spray. You can also line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper to prevent the cake from sticking.
Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the butter and sugar
In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. You can do this by using an electric mixer or by hand using a whisk.
Step 4: Add the eggs and vanilla extract
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
Step 5: Add the dry ingredients and milk
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until well combined, but be careful not to overmix.
Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan
Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Make sure the batter is evenly distributed in the pan.
Step 7: Bake the cake
Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
Step 8: Frost the cake
You can frost the cake with your favorite frosting, or you can try this simple buttercream frosting recipe:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
In a bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Gradually add the milk until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake using a spatula.
Nutrition
This easy birthday cake recipe yields approximately 12 servings. The nutrition information for each serving is as follows:
- Calories: 290
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 61mg
- Sodium: 145mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 44g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 33g
- Protein: 2g
Tips and Variations
Here are some tips and variations to make this easy birthday cake recipe even more fun:
- You can add food coloring to the cake batter to make a colorful cake.
- You can add sprinkles to the cake batter or the frosting for a festive touch.
- You can use different extracts, such as almond or lemon, for a different flavor profile.
- You can add chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the cake batter for some texture.
- You can make a layer cake by doubling the recipe and baking two cakes, then frosting them together.
Conclusion
This easy birthday cake recipe is perfect for any celebration. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can whip up a delicious cake in no time. Customize it with your favorite frosting and decorations, and enjoy a slice of homemade goodness.