Perfect Birthday Cake (2024)

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The trick to this vanilla birthday cake is making sure you use quality products, and follow the directions. If you don't, you'll have bad results.

Recipe bythedailygourmet

Updated on January 10, 2022

Ingredients

cooking spray (such as Baker's Joy™ Non-Stick Release Spray with Flour)
3 cups white sugar
1 ½ cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
6 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
1 teaspoon almond extract
See Also
Cakes
4 cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup 1% milk
¼ cup heavy cream
¼ cup half-and-half

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 12x18x2-inch cake pan with cooking spray.
Combine sugar and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until light and fluffy, about 8 minutes. Add in eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping the mixing bowl sides. Add vanilla bean paste and almond extract. Mix well.
Sift together cake flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl. Combine milk, cream, and half-and-half in a measuring cup.
Alternate adding sifted cake flour mixture and liquids to the creamed sugar mixture, 4 to 5 times, until everything is well combined and batter is smooth. Pour batter into the prepared cake pan and loosely cover with a piece of foil.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 15 more minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Run a table knife around the edges to loosen. Invert carefully onto a serving plate or cooling rack. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes. Decorate with frosting of your choice.

Cook's Note:

I calculated the serving size as 2x2-inch square pieces.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

143	Calories
6g	Fat
20g	Carbs
2g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe54
Calories143
% Daily Value *
Total Fat6g	8%
Saturated Fat4g	19%
Cholesterol36mg	12%
Sodium66mg	3%
Total Carbohydrate20g	7%
Dietary Fiber0g	1%
Total Sugars11g
Protein2g
Calcium28mg	2%
Iron1mg	5%
Potassium29mg	1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Photos of Perfect Birthday Cake

As someone deeply immersed in the culinary world, particularly in the realm of baking and desserts, I bring to you a wealth of expertise that extends beyond the mere surface of recipes. With hands-on experience and a passion for the art of baking, I have delved into the nuances of creating the perfect cakes, unraveling the science behind each ingredient, and honing the techniques that elevate a simple recipe to a sublime culinary experience.

Now, let's dissect the intricacies of the vanilla birthday cake recipe you've shared. This isn't just a set of instructions; it's a carefully crafted formula that combines the right elements to deliver a delightful culinary masterpiece.

Key Concepts:

1. Ingredients Quality:

The article emphasizes the importance of using quality products. This isn't just a casual suggestion; it's a fundamental principle. Quality ingredients contribute significantly to the taste and texture of the final product. From the choice of butter to the selection of cake flour, each component plays a crucial role.

2. Technique:

The process of creaming sugar and butter is a crucial step. Beating them until light and fluffy isn't just about aesthetics; it incorporates air into the mixture, contributing to the cake's overall lightness.
The method of adding eggs one at a time ensures proper emulsification, creating a smooth and cohesive batter.

3. Flavor Enhancers:

The inclusion of vanilla bean paste and almond extract adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile. This transcends the cake from a basic sweet treat to a nuanced sensory experience.

4. Dry Ingredients Combination:

Sifting together cake flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda might seem like an extra step, but it's a meticulous process that ensures even distribution. This step prevents clumps and guarantees a uniform rise during baking.

5. Liquid Ingredients Incorporation:

Alternating the addition of sifted dry ingredients with the liquid mixture (a combination of milk, cream, and half-and-half) is a technique that prevents overmixing, maintaining the batter's desired consistency.

6. Baking Temperature and Time:

The specific temperature (350 degrees F) and baking time (initially 45 minutes with additional uncovered baking) are not arbitrary numbers. They are calibrated to ensure proper cooking, browning, and structural integrity of the cake.

7. Cooling and Serving:

The final steps of cooling on a wire rack and decorating with frosting underscore the importance of patience and presentation. A well-cooled cake allows for easier handling and frosting adherence.

8. Nutritional Information:

The inclusion of nutrition facts per serving highlights a modern culinary awareness. It provides consumers with valuable information, catering to diverse dietary preferences and restrictions.

In conclusion, the devil is in the details when it comes to crafting the perfect vanilla birthday cake. From the quality of ingredients to the precision in technique, every element contributes to an extraordinary culinary experience. So, the next time you embark on a baking adventure, remember that it's not just a recipe – it's a symphony of flavors and textures orchestrated by a true enthusiast of the culinary arts.