Favorite Vanilla Birthday Cake (Fluffy and Easy!)

Ingredients

• 300 g all-purpose flour
• 20 g almond flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 113 g unsalted butter (soft at room temperature (1 stick))
• 100 g vegetable oil (avocado, corn or canola)
• 320 g granulated sugar
• 3 eggs (room temperature)
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 300 g milk (whole or skim milk at room temperature)
• 1 1/2 tbsp white vinegar (to make homemade buttermilk)
• 340 g unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 300 g confectioners sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tbsp milk

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Cake ---

2. 2

   Prepare the homemade buttermilk by mixing milk (room temperature) and white vinegar, mixing, and waiting at least 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare two 8” cake pans (brush a little butter and coat with flour; you may also add a round piece of parchment paper on the bottom).

4. 4

   In a medium bowl, whisk the dry ingredients, flour, almond flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt)

5. 5

   Add unsalted butter (ambient temperature), oil, and sugar to the stand mixer bowl with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed for about 3 minutes until white and fluffy. You can also use a handheld mixer. Scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed.

6. 6

   Add one egg at a time and mix in between for a few seconds until incorporated.

7. 7

   Add vanilla and ½ cup buttermilk and mix until combined.

8. 8

   Reduce speed to low. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the remainder buttermilk until it finishes.

9. 9

   Using a kitchen scale, split the batter evenly between the 2 8” cake pans (about 630 grams each) and bake for about 35 minutes until the cakes are light golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

10. 10

    Let the cake layers cool for about 15 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the pan, then remove them from the baking pan and add them to a cooling rack.

11. 11

    --- American Buttercream Frosting ---

12. 12

    Add confectioners’ sugar, unsalted butter, vanilla, and milk to a stand mixer bowl with a paddle attachment.

13. 13

    Mix at a low speed to incorporate the fine sugar without splashing, then increase to medium speed and mix for 10 minutes until the frosting is white and stable.

14. 14

    Scrape down the bowl halfway through mixing to ensure the ingredients are well mixed. If you want to add food coloring, do this step. I love using natural products such as this pink dragon fruit powder to make the cutest pink cake!

15. 15

    --- Assembling the Homemade Vanilla Cake ---

16. 16

    Add one layer of cake and top with the filling or frosting. Spread well in the center of the cake, then add the second layer.

17. 17

    Spread the frosting in a thin layer on top and sides of the cake. Refrigerate for about 20 minutes, allowing the frosting to set the cake crumbs.

18. 18

    Add the remaining frosting and decorate as desired. I love using a large Wilton decorating kit and dye-free sprinkles.