Spring Birthday Cake Pastel (Printable)

Tender vanilla cake layered with creamy pastel buttercream and floral decorations for a festive celebration.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cake

01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
05 - 2 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature

→ Buttercream

09 - 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
10 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - ¼ cup whole milk
12 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
14 - Gel food coloring in pink, yellow, lavender, green, and blue

→ Decoration

15 - Edible flower petals
16 - Sprinkles

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing.
06 - Divide batter evenly among prepared pans and smooth the tops.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
08 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
09 - In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy and smooth, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
10 - Divide buttercream into separate bowls and tint each with desired pastel gel food coloring.
11 - Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread buttercream layer on top. Repeat with remaining layers.
12 - Apply thin crumb coat of buttercream over entire cake. Chill for 20 minutes.
13 - Using piping bags fitted with various tips, decorate cake with pastel buttercreams to create floral designs. Garnish with edible petals or sprinkles if desired.
14 - Chill for 15 to 20 minutes before serving to set buttercream.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Stunning visual appeal with customizable pastel colors and floral piping that make every cake unique
  • Classic vanilla flavor that pairs beautifully with creamy, silky buttercream
  • Perfect for celebrating birthdays, spring gatherings, baby showers, or any festive occasion
  • Medium difficulty level that's achievable for home bakers willing to practice piping techniques
  • Generous yield of 12 servings, ideal for parties and family celebrations
02 -
  • Always sift powdered sugar before adding it to buttercream to avoid lumps and achieve a silky texture
  • Practice piping floral designs on parchment paper before decorating the cake to build confidence and consistency
  • Use a turntable when frosting and decorating to ensure smooth, even coverage and easier piping angles
  • Chill the cake between crumb coat and final decoration to prevent the layers from sliding and to firm up the buttercream
  • Check all food coloring and decoration labels if baking for guests with nut allergies, as some may contain trace amounts
Go Back