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Minimalist Birthday Cake

Minimalist Vanilla Birthday Cake Recipe

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 410
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp fine salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream, cold
  • 1 tbsp powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup fresh mixed berries

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
  2. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer on medium until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
  4. On low speed, mix in half the flour mixture, then the milk, then the remaining flour until just smooth.
  5. Scrape into a greased 8-inch round pan, smooth the top, and bake 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
  6. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla to soft peaks. Spread over the cooled cake, top with berries, and serve.

Notes

Cooling time is not reflected in the total; plan for an extra hour for the cake to cool before frosting. If you need the cake to stand at room temperature for a few hours, swap the whipped cream for a simple vanilla buttercream, which holds up better.