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I personally use and love these products in my kitchen. I only recommend what I trust!
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Birthdays... they come around every year, right? And let's be real, sometimes figuring out the perfect way to celebrate can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. Last year, my friend Mark was turning the big 3-0, and he's a huge board game fanatic. Like, owns-more-games-than-Barnes-and-Noble huge. A regular cake just wouldn't cut it. That's when the idea for this Vanilla Game Night Birthday Cake was born – a sweet tribute to his favorite pastime.
This isn't your grandma's vanilla cake (unless your grandma is a cake decorating pro, in which case, tell her I said hi!). We're talking moist vanilla layers, a buttercream that's smooth as silk, and decorations inspired by all things game night. Think dice, cards, maybe even a little fondant meeples if you're feeling ambitious. But don't worry; it's totally doable, even if you're not a master baker. Trust me, I'm not always, like, a professional baker or anything.
Get ready to roll the dice and whip up a cake that's as fun to make as it is to eat. I promise you that this Vanilla Game Night Birthday Cake will be the highlight of the party and score you major points with the birthday person. So gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and let's get baking!
Required Equipments
- Electric Mixer
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 9-inch Round Cake Pans
- Wire Rack
- Serrated Knife
- Spatula or Icing Spreader
Vanilla Game Night Birthday Cake: Frequently Asked Questions
Vanilla Game Night Birthday Cake
Level up your next birthday bash with this Vanilla Game Night Birthday Cake! Moist, fluffy vanilla cake layered with luscious buttercream frosting, perfect for celebrating a special occasion with friends and board games.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 12 servings
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. You can also line the bottoms with parchment paper circles for easy removal. Don't skip this step, nobody wants a stuck cake!
- In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter, softened, and 2 cups of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. The mixture should look pale and airy.
- 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. This helps prevent the batter from curdling.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Whisking ensures the baking powder is evenly distributed.
- 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. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake. It's okay if there are a few streaks of flour remaining.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Use a kitchen scale for precision if you have one.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The cakes should be golden brown and spring back lightly when touched.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cakes from sticking and breaking.
- While the cakes are cooling, make the buttercream frosting. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter, softened, until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add 4 cups of powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. You may need to add a tablespoon or two of milk to achieve the desired consistency. The buttercream should be smooth and spreadable.
- Stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, level them with a serrated knife if necessary. This ensures the cake is even and stable.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of buttercream frosting over the top.
- Place the second cake layer on top of the frosting. Frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream frosting.
- Decorate the cake with game night themed decorations. Use fondant to create dice, cards, or meeples. You can also use edible markers to draw designs directly onto the frosting. Get creative and have fun!
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the frosting to set. This makes it easier to slice and serve.
- Slice and serve. Enjoy your delicious Vanilla Game Night Birthday Cake!
📝 Notes
- For a richer flavor, use brown butter in the buttercream frosting.
- Add a few drops of food coloring to the buttercream for a festive look.
- Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 450 kcal
Protein: 4 g
Fat: 22 g
Carbohydrates: 60 g
Fiber: 1 g
Calcium: 50 mg
