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Best Happy Birthday Cake

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A festive homemade happy birthday cake with fluffy vanilla layers, creamy buttercream frosting, and rainbow sprinkles. Gluten-free friendly and perfect for parties or family celebrations.

Ingredients

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  • 2 ½ cupsgluten-free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum included)
  • 2 teaspoonsbaking powder
  • ½ teaspoonbaking soda
  • ½ teaspoonsalt
  • 1 cupunsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cupsgranulated sugar
  • 4large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoonspure vanilla extract
  • 1 cupbuttermilk (or whole milk +1 tablespoonvinegar)
  • ½ cuprainbow sprinkles (gluten-free certified)
  • 1 cupunsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cupspowdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoonsvanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2–3tablespoons heavy cream
  • Extra rainbow sprinkles for decorating

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
  6. Fold in the rainbow sprinkles gently to avoid color bleeding.
  7. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. For the frosting, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream until light and fluffy.
  10. Frost cooled cake layers, stack, and cover the outside with frosting. Garnish generously with sprinkles.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and butter for best results.
Do not overmix once flour is added to keep the cake fluffy.
Always use jimmies sprinkles instead of nonpareils to prevent color bleeding.
For dairy-free, substitute vegan butter and almond milk with vinegar.
Chill cake layers before frosting for easier assembly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.delicetreats.com/best-happy-birthday-cake/