Description
A whimsical pastel-colored cake with soft buttercream frosting, perfect for spring celebrations. This beautiful and airy cake is a showstopper for Easter, birthdays, or baby showers!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- Food coloring (pastel pink, blue, yellow)
For the Buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Mix in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients, alternating with milk, mixing until smooth.
- Color the Batter: Divide batter into three bowls and tint each with a different pastel color (pink, blue, yellow).
- Bake: Pour each colored batter into the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- Prepare the Buttercream: Beat butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Stack the cooled cake layers, spreading buttercream between each. Frost the outside, smoothing out the sides.
- Decorate: Pipe buttercream swirls on top and decorate with edible pearls or sprinkles for a festive touch.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter.
- Swap buttercream for cream cheese frosting for a tangy twist.
- Store cake in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, European
