Spring Birthday Cake Pastel Floral (Printable)

Tender vanilla layers with creamy pastel buttercream and delicate floral decorations for a festive occasion.

# What You Need:

→ Cake

01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
05 - 2 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature

→ Buttercream

09 - 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
10 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - ¼ cup whole milk
12 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
14 - Gel food coloring in pink, yellow, lavender, green, and blue

→ Decoration

15 - Edible flower petals
16 - Sprinkles

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined without overmixing.
06 - Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy and smooth for 3 to 4 minutes.
10 - Divide buttercream into separate bowls and tint each portion with desired pastel gel food coloring.
11 - Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of buttercream on top. Repeat with remaining layers.
12 - Apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream over the entire cake and chill for 20 minutes.
13 - Decorate the cake with pastel buttercreams using piping bags fitted with various tips to create floral designs. Garnish with edible flower petals or sprinkles as desired.
14 - Chill for 15 to 20 minutes before serving to set the buttercream.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • Perfectly moist and tender vanilla cake that serves as an ideal canvas for decoration
  • Silky smooth buttercream that pipes beautifully and tastes divine
  • Customizable pastel colors to match any party theme or personal preference
  • Impressive presentation that looks professional but is achievable at home
  • Feeds 12 people, making it perfect for birthday gatherings
  • Vegetarian-friendly dessert that everyone can enjoy
02 -
  • Invest in quality piping tips—petal tips for roses, leaf tips for greenery, and star tips for rosettes give you the most versatility
  • Practice your piping on parchment paper before decorating the actual cake
  • Keep your buttercream bowls covered with damp towels to prevent crusting while you work
  • Use gel food coloring rather than liquid—it provides more vibrant colors without thinning the buttercream
  • If the buttercream becomes too soft while decorating, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up
  • Make the cake layers a day ahead and wrap them well—they'll actually be easier to work with and less likely to crumble
  • Remember to check all labels if you have nut allergies, as some food colorings and decorations may contain traces
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