Name: Lavender Birthday Cake for Taurus Season
Prep time: 1 h 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: Western
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar; 4 large eggs; 1 tbsp vanilla extract or 2 Earl Grey tea bags steeped in ¼ cup hot milk; 1 cup whole milk (infused with Earl Grey or plain); 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened; 5 cups powdered sugar; 1–2 tbsp milk or cream; ½ tsp culinary lavender extract (optional); Gel food coloring: purple, lilac, cream, green; Piping bags and assorted star tips; White sugar pearls or edible pearls; Gold birthday candles (optional); Fresh or buttercream piped florals

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Grounded, indulgent, and beauty-loving—Taurus season calls for a cake that embodies elegance and comfort. This Elegant Lavender Birthday Cake is the perfect tribute to the earth sign ruled by Venus. With layers of rich vanilla or Earl Grey sponge and a delicately floral lavender buttercream, it’s as graceful in taste as it is in presentation. Decorated in romantic pastel hues, piped florals, and pearl accents, this cake is an opulent centerpiece for any Taurus celebration.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Inspired by Taurus energy: Romantic, grounded, and luxurious—just like the sign it celebrates.
Customizable sponge flavor: Choose between classic vanilla or the sophistication of Earl Grey.
Lavender buttercream: Lightly floral and fragrant, with an optional culinary lavender extract.
Elegant decoration: A pastel palette of piped florals, decorative borders, and edible pearls.
Perfect for special occasions: An ideal showstopper for birthdays, tea parties, or spring events.
Visually stunning: A professionally styled cake made achievable at home.
Balanced sweetness: The delicate floral notes and buttercream richness are perfectly harmonized.

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cake Layers (Vanilla or Earl Grey):
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract or 2 Earl Grey tea bags steeped in 1/4 cup hot milk
1 cup whole milk (infused with Earl Grey or plain)

For the Lavender Buttercream:
1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
5 cups powdered sugar
1–2 tbsp milk or cream
½ tsp culinary lavender extract (optional)
Purple, lilac, cream, and green gel food coloring

For Decoration:
Piping bags and assorted star tips
White sugar pearls or edible pearls
Gold birthday candles (optional)
Fresh or piped buttercream florals in lavender tones

directions

Preheat the oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment.
Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract or cooled Earl Grey-infused milk.
Incorporate dry and wet: Add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the remaining milk. Begin and end with the dry mixture. Mix until smooth and evenly combined.
Bake: Divide the batter equally among prepared pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden and springy to the touch. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Make the buttercream: Beat butter until smooth and fluffy. Add powdered sugar gradually. Add milk or cream to loosen the texture, and lavender extract if desired. Beat until light and silky.
Tint the buttercream: Divide buttercream into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring to create lilac, purple, cream, and green tones for decorating.
Assemble the cake: Stack cake layers with a thin layer of buttercream between each. Apply a smooth crumb coat to the outside of the cake.
Decorate: Use piping bags fitted with various star and petal tips to create floral designs, borders, and rosettes. Embellish with sugar pearls and, if desired, gold birthday candles.
Chill and serve: Briefly refrigerate before serving to set the buttercream and ensure clean slices.

Servings and timing

Servings: 12 slices
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Baking Time: 30 minutes
Decorating Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Calories: 520 kcal per slice

Variations

Lemon-lavender twist: Add lemon zest to the cake batter for a fresh citrus note.
Rosewater addition: Swap the lavender extract for rosewater for a different floral profile.
Tea blend base: Use a chai or jasmine tea infusion instead of Earl Grey for a new flavor experience.
Different florals: Try piping roses, tulips, or daisies in seasonal colors.
Single-tier version: Halve the recipe for a more compact, elegant celebration cake.
Color scheme swap: Adjust the color palette to match party décor or personal preferences.

storage/reheating

Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheating: Not required. Bring chilled cake to room temperature before serving for optimal texture and flavor.
Freezing: Cake layers can be frozen (unfrosted) for up to 1 month. Thaw and decorate as desired.

FAQs

Can I use dried lavender instead of extract?

Yes, but use only food-grade dried lavender. Steep 1–2 tsp in hot milk, strain, and use in place of the plain milk.

Is Earl Grey flavor strong in the cake?

It’s subtle. If you want a bolder tea flavor, steep more tea bags or use Earl Grey concentrate.

Can I make the buttercream ahead of time?

Yes, buttercream can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature and re-whip before using.

What kind of food coloring works best?

Gel food coloring provides vivid color without thinning the buttercream, which is ideal for piping.

Do I need a crumb coat?

A crumb coat helps seal the cake and provides a clean base for decoration, especially with buttercream flowers.

Can I decorate with real flowers?

Yes, but only use food-safe edible or pesticide-free flowers. Always research which flowers are safe for cake decoration.

How do I get even cake layers?

Use a kitchen scale to evenly distribute batter between pans and level the tops with a serrated knife if needed.

Is this cake overly sweet?

No, the floral buttercream balances the sweetness, especially if paired with an Earl Grey sponge.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, substitute with a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend. Make sure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.

What tips should I use for buttercream flowers?

Star tips like 1M or 2D are great for rosettes. Leaf tips like 352 add greenery for a complete floral design.

Conclusion

This Elegant Lavender Birthday Cake for Taurus Season is a refined, flavor-forward dessert that celebrates beauty, comfort, and creativity. With its aromatic sponge layers, delicate floral buttercream, and romantic palette, this cake is an expression of both personal artistry and delicious indulgence. Whether you’re honoring a Taurus birthday or simply want a stunning spring cake, this recipe offers the elegance and grounding richness that defines the season.