Best Milk Bar-Style Birthday Layer Cake Recipe
A moist and flavorful Milk Bar-style birthday layer cake with rainbow funfetti, featuring a tender crumb, buttermilk tang, and silky vanilla frosting. Perfect for celebrations and easy enough for bakers of all levels.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (about 120g) rainbow funfetti sprinkles (sturdy jimmies or confetti sprinkles)
- For the frosting:
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 tablespoons (30-45ml) heavy cream
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans or line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix on low speed just until combined.
- Gently fold in rainbow funfetti sprinkles with a rubber spatula.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops. Tap pans on counter to release air bubbles.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For frosting, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, mixing on low until combined.
- Add heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on medium-high for about 3 minutes until fluffy and spreadable. Adjust consistency as needed.
- Level cake layers with a serrated knife or cake leveler. Place one layer on serving plate and spread 1/3 of frosting evenly on top.
- Add second layer and frost top and sides. For smooth finish, dip offset spatula in hot water, wipe dry, and smooth frosting.
- Sprinkle extra funfetti on top or sides for decoration. Chill cake for 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Fold sprinkles gently to avoid color bleeding. Chill cake layers before frosting to prevent melting. Sift powdered sugar for smooth frosting. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use coconut milk yogurt and plant-based butter. Use sturdy jimmies sprinkles to maintain color and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cak
- Calories: 380
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Protein: 3
Keywords: Milk Bar cake, birthday cake, funfetti cake, layer cake, vanilla cake, rainbow sprinkles, easy cake recipe, celebration cake