Print

Best Homemade Vanilla Birthday Cake with Sprinkle Frosting

homemade vanilla birthday cake with sprinkle frosting - featured image
Print Recipe

A simple, moist vanilla birthday cake with creamy sprinkle frosting that’s perfect for last-minute celebrations. This easy recipe uses the reverse creaming method for a tender crumb and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (optional)
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) whole milk, at room temperature
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (for frosting)
  • ½ cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper, and grease the parchment.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a stand mixer or large bowl, beat softened butter on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth. Add sugar and beat for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy (reverse creaming).
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Scrape down bowl. Add vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste; beat until combined.
  5. With mixer on low, add one-third of flour mixture, then half of milk, another third of flour, remaining milk, and final flour. Beat just until combined; finish mixing by hand with a spatula.
  6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans (about 600g each). Smooth tops. Bake for 28-32 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
  7. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Remove parchment and cool completely.
  8. For frosting: Beat softened butter on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on medium-high for 2-3 minutes until light and airy.
  9. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread about ¾ cup frosting on top. Add second layer. Apply thin crumb coat and refrigerate 15 minutes. Apply final frosting layer.
  10. Gently press rainbow sprinkles into frosting on sides and top of cake.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Don’t overmix the batter. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and plant-based milk. The cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, refrigerated for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: vanilla birthday cake, sprinkle frosting, homemade cake, easy cake recipe, birthday cake, vanilla cake, sprinkle cake

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/best-homemade-vanilla-birthday-cake-with-sprinkle-frosting/