Description
Celebrate a milestone with this delicious and elegant 60th birthday cake! This moist and fluffy vanilla cake is layered with rich vanilla buttercream frosting and can be customized with beautiful decorations to suit the honoree’s personality.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk (or 1 1/2 cups milk + 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice, let sit for 5 minutes)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Frosting (Vanilla Buttercream):
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup milk or heavy cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs: Mix in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated.
- Alternate dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Begin and end with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Stir in vanilla extract and divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
For the Frosting:
- Beat the butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well.
- Add milk and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency if needed.
- Frost the cake: Level the cooled cakes, then frost the layers and the entire cake.
- Edible Gold Leaf – for a sophisticated touch.
- Fresh Flowers – ensure they are food-safe.
- Chocolate Drip – add a trendy chocolate glaze.
- Custom Cake Topper – personalize with the birthday person’s name.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for the best texture.
- Use high-quality vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
- Cake layers can be brushed with simple syrup for extra moisture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 42 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: birthday cake, vanilla cake, celebration cake, homemade frosting, easy birthday dessert