A classic vanilla birthday cake with rainbow sprinkles is the perfect dessert for any celebration. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, graduation, or just a special occasion, this cake is sure to bring joy to everyone who takes a bite. This cake is simple to make and has a soft, fluffy texture that melts in your mouth. The addition of rainbow sprinkles adds a festive touch and makes it a fun and colorful dessert.

How to Make Classic Vanilla Birthday Cake with Rainbow Sprinkles?
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 9-inch cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the sugar and beat until well combined.
- Add the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk and mixing well after each addition.
- Fold in the rainbow sprinkles.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely.
Tips for Decorating Classic Vanilla Birthday Cake with Rainbow Sprinkles
- Wait until the cake is completely cool before frosting it. Warm cake can cause the frosting to melt and slide off.
- Use a cake leveler or serrated knife to level the cakes before stacking them. This will ensure a level cake and prevent it from toppling over.
- For a neater presentation, apply a thin layer of frosting to the top and sides of the cake before decorating with sprinkles. This will help the sprinkles stick to the cake.
- If you don’t have piping bags, use a resealable plastic bag with a corner snipped off to pipe the frosting onto the cake.
Classic vanilla birthday cake with rainbow sprinkles
Classic vanilla birthday cake with rainbow sprinkles is a delicious and festive dessert that’s perfect for any celebration. The fluffy vanilla cake is studded with colorful sprinkles that add a pop of color and texture to each slice. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this cake is a great choice for bakers of any skill level. Whether you’re making it for a birthday party, anniversary, or just because, this cake is sure to be a hit.

Notes
- Use good quality rainbow sprinkles for the best results. Lower quality sprinkles can bleed and become soggy.
- Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for both the cake and frosting. This will ensure that they mix together properly and create a smooth texture.
- Don’t overmix the cake batter once you’ve added the flour mixture. Overmixing can cause the cake to be tough and dense.
- If the frosting seems too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
- You can store the cake in the refrigerator, but make sure to take it out at least 30 minutes before serving to allow it to come to room temperature.
Enjoy your Classic Vanilla Birthday Cake with Rainbow Sprinkles!
Variations
There are many ways to customize this classic vanilla birthday cake to suit your preferences. Here are some ideas:
- Swap the rainbow sprinkles for your favorite color or shape of sprinkles. You could use gold or silver for a more sophisticated look, or heart-shaped sprinkles for Valentine’s Day.
- Add a layer of fresh fruit between the cake layers for a burst of flavor and texture. Sliced strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries would be delicious.
- Make a chocolate frosting instead of vanilla. Melt 6 ounces of semisweet chocolate and let it cool slightly. Add it to the frosting mixture before adding the powdered sugar.
- Make mini cupcakes instead of a full-sized cake. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and fill each one about two-thirds full with the batter. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Top with a dollop of frosting and a few sprinkles.
Tips
- To get an even cake rise, make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature before starting.
- Don’t overfill the cake pans. The batter should fill each pan about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
- Make sure to let the cake cool completely before frosting. A warm cake will cause the frosting to melt and slide off.
- For the best flavor, use pure vanilla extract instead of imitation.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar with 1 cup of whole milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using in the recipe.
Conclusion
A classic vanilla birthday cake with rainbow sprinkles is a timeless dessert that’s perfect for any celebration. With its fluffy texture and festive sprinkles, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you follow the recipe as written or add your own twist, this cake is a must-try for any baking enthusiast. So get your apron on and start baking!

Classic Vanilla Birthday Cake with Rainbow Sprinkles
Ingredients
For the cake
- 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles
For the frosting
- 1 and 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch (23cm) cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, and mix until the batter is smooth.
- Fold in the rainbow sprinkles.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, cream the butter in a large bowl until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract and mix until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in the rainbow sprinkles.
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one layer on a cake stand or plate.
- Spread a layer of frosting on top of the first cake layer.
- Place the second cake layer on top of the frosting and spread another layer of frosting on top.
- Decorate the cake with additional sprinkles.
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