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I personally use and love these products in my kitchen. I only recommend what I trust!
I personally use and love these products in my kitchen. I only recommend what I trust!
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There's just something inherently magical about a homemade birthday cake, isn't there? Store-bought cakes are fine in a pinch, but they often lack that personal touch, that burst of flavor that screams 'I made this with love!' Remember that time, I tried baking a cake for my best friend's graduation? Total disaster. Burnt edges, sunken middle...it was a learning experience, to say the least! But hey, we all start somewhere, right? I’ve learned so much since then. This Vanilla Birthday Cake, though, this is a recipe I’ve honed over years, and it's practically foolproof.
What sets this cake apart is the wafer paper decoration. Wafer paper, also known as rice paper, is edible and can be cut and shaped into beautiful flowers, butterflies, or any design you can imagine. Don’t be scared! It's easier than it looks, I promise! It adds such an elegant and sophisticated touch to your cake, and it's a fun way to express your creativity. Imagine the look on your loved one's face when they see this cake! It's not just a dessert; it's a work of art… well, at least, that’s what my mom told me when I showed her my first wafer paper creation, haha! She is very supportive.
Required Equipments
- Electric Mixer
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 8-inch Round Cake Pans
- Wire Rack
- Offset Spatula
- Wafer Paper
- Edible Glue
- Scissors or Craft Knife
Vanilla Birthday Cake with Wafer Paper: Frequently Asked Questions
Vanilla Birthday Cake with Wafer Paper
Whip up a show-stopping Vanilla Birthday Cake adorned with delicate wafer paper decorations! This recipe ensures a moist, tender crumb and a delightful vanilla flavor, perfect for any celebration.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 12 servings
Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans. Pro-tip: Use baking spray with flour for even better results.
- In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter and 2 cups of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes with an electric mixer. Don't rush this step; it's crucial for a tender crumb.
- Beat in 4 large eggs, one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with 1 cup of milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough cake. Its actually pretty simple.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Start checking at 25 minutes; oven temperatures can vary!
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the vanilla buttercream frosting. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter until smooth.
- Gradually add 4 cups of powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Mix in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 2-4 tablespoons of milk to achieve your desired consistency. Add more milk if needed.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, level them with a serrated knife if necessary. This ensures your cake will be nice and even.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread with a generous layer of vanilla buttercream frosting.
- Top with the second cake layer and repeat with another layer of frosting.
- Place the final cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream. Smooth the frosting with an offset spatula or cake smoother. Don't worry if it's not perfect; the wafer paper will hide any imperfections!
- Now, for the fun part! Prepare your wafer paper. You'll need wafer paper sheets, edible glue, and scissors or a craft knife.
- Cut the wafer paper into flower petals, leaves, butterflies, or any shapes you desire. There are tons of templates available online if you need inspiration!
- Using a small brush, apply a tiny amount of edible glue to the back of each wafer paper piece and gently attach it to the frosted cake. Get creative and have fun with your design!
- Once you're happy with your wafer paper decorations, refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set. This will help the decorations stay in place.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy your beautiful Vanilla Birthday Cake!
📝 Notes
- For a richer flavor, use brown butter in the cake batter.
- You can substitute almond extract for vanilla extract for a slightly different flavor profile.
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 450 kcal
Protein: 4 g
Fat: 20 g
Carbohydrates: 65 g
Fiber: 1 g
Calcium: 50 mg
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