Simple White Birthday Cake Recipe

Introduction

This Simple White Birthday Cake is a classic, light, and fluffy treat perfect for any celebration. With a tender crumb and smooth white buttercream frosting, it’s sure to impress both in taste and appearance.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups (275g) cake flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
• 4 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1 tbsp clear vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
• For White American Buttercream Frosting:
• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp clear vanilla extract
• 2-3 tbsp milk

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar using a mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Step 4: Add the egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the clear vanilla extract.
5. Step 5: Alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to keep the batter light.
6. Step 6: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Step 7: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
8. Step 8: To make the frosting, beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla extract and milk, beating until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.
9. Step 9: Once the cakes are fully cooled, spread the buttercream evenly between layers and over the top and sides of the cake.

Tips & Variations

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth batter and even baking.
• For a lemon twist, add 1 tsp lemon zest to the batter and ½ tsp lemon juice to the frosting.
• Make sure not to overmix the batter once you combine wet and dry ingredients to keep the cake tender.
• Clear vanilla extract keeps the frosting pure white, ideal for an elegant birthday cake.

Storage

Store the frosted cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let refrigerated cake come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. The unfrosted cake layers can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 2 months.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use whole eggs instead of egg whites?

Whole eggs will work but may make the cake slightly denser and less white. Egg whites keep the cake light and contribute to its classic appearance.

How do I prevent the cake from sticking to the pans?

Grease the pans well and line the bottoms with parchment paper. This will make it easy to remove the cakes without damage.

Simple White Birthday Cake Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.5 from 97 reviews

• Author: Lily
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

This Simple White Birthday Cake is a classic, light, and fluffy layer cake perfect for any celebration. Featuring a tender crumb and sweet white American buttercream frosting, it’s easy to make and delivers delicious results every time. The cake is prepared with basic pantry staples, making it an accessible and crowd-pleasing dessert for birthdays or special occasions.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake

• 2 ½ cups (275g) cake flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
• 4 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1 tbsp clear vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature

White American Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp clear vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp milk

---

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which typically takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Add Egg Whites and Vanilla: Add the egg whites one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar, beating well after each addition. Then add the clear vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Milk: Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and the whole milk to the batter, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix each addition just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
6. Divide and Bake: Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
7. Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then remove from pans and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make Frosting: In a clean bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, clear vanilla extract, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk, beating until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
9. Assemble and Frost Cake: Once the cakes are fully cooled, spread the buttercream frosting over one layer, top with the second cake layer, and frost the top and sides evenly.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and texture.
• Do not overmix the batter as this can lead to a dense cake.
• Ensure cakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
• You can substitute the buttercream with cream cheese frosting or whipped cream for a different flavor.
• Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: white birthday cake, simple birthday cake, vanilla layer cake, American buttercream, classic white cake, homemade cake