14 Birthday Cake Recipes That Make Every Celebration Unforgettable
There is nothing quite like the moment the lights go off, the candles glow and everyone starts singing. A homemade cake turns that moment into a memory. These birthday cake recipes cover every taste, from rich chocolate to bright lemon, and every slide includes an easy recipe. Find more sweet inspiration in our dessert galleries..
Birthday Cake Recipes Start With a Classic Vanilla Layer Cake
Of all the birthday cake recipes out there, a fluffy vanilla layer cake is the one that never lets anyone down. Soft, buttery layers, silky buttercream and a shower of rainbow sprinkles make every kid and grown up feel special. It is the cake you see in childhood photos, candles glowing and wishes being made. Bake it once and it becomes your family tradition..
You will need: 3 cups cake flour, 2 cups sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 cup butter, 4 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla, plus 1 1/2 cups butter and 5 cups powdered sugar for frosting.
How to make it: Cream the butter and sugar, then add the eggs and vanilla. Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk. Bake in three 8 inch pans at 350°F for 22 to 25 minutes. Beat the frosting butter with powdered sugar and a splash of milk. Stack, frost and cover with sprinkles.
Rainbow Funfetti Cake
Funfetti cake is pure childhood joy. Rainbow sprinkles folded into a vanilla batter melt into colorful spots as it bakes. Every slice looks like a party, which is why it remains a favorite at kids’ birthdays. Top it with pink or white buttercream and even more sprinkles. Grown ups secretly love it just as much.
You will need: 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 3/4 cup butter, 3 egg whites, 1 cup milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla and 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles.
How to make it: Cream the butter and sugar, then beat in the egg whites and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and milk in turns. Gently fold in the sprinkles. Bake in two 8 inch pans at 350°F for 25 to 28 minutes. Cool and frost with buttercream.
Chocolate Drip Cake
A drip cake looks like it came from a fancy bakery, but the drip is just warm ganache spooned around the edge. Smooth white frosting and glossy chocolate drips create a showstopping look. Decorate the top with candies, cookies or fresh berries. It is the perfect birthday cake for anyone who wants a wow moment.
You will need: 1 frosted round layer cake, 4 ounces dark chocolate, 1/2 cup heavy cream and toppings like cookies, chocolates or berries.
How to make it: Chill the frosted cake for 30 minutes. Heat the cream and pour it over chopped chocolate, then stir until smooth. Cool until slightly thick. Spoon small amounts around the top edge, letting it drip down, then fill the center. Add toppings.
Towering Chocolate Fudge Cake
Some birthdays call for a cake as big as the celebration. This towering chocolate fudge cake has moist, deep chocolate layers and thick fudge frosting between each one. A tall slice on a plate makes everyone gasp. It is rich, so cut small slices, and save the leftovers for midnight snacks.
You will need: 2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 2 eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup hot coffee, 1/2 cup oil and chocolate fudge frosting.
How to make it: Whisk the dry ingredients. Add eggs, buttermilk and oil, then stir in hot coffee. Divide among three pans and bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely and stack the layers with thick fudge frosting between each.
Red Velvet Cake
Red velvet cake is a Southern classic with a soft, velvety crumb and a hint of cocoa. Tangy cream cheese frosting is a must. The striking red color makes it perfect for birthdays, Valentine’s Day and holidays. A slice on a white plate looks stunning in every photo.
You will need: 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 tablespoon cocoa, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 1/2 cups oil, 1 teaspoon vinegar, red food coloring and cream cheese frosting.
How to make it: Whisk the dry ingredients. Mix the eggs, buttermilk, oil, vinegar and food coloring, then combine. Bake in two 9 inch pans at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting.
Black Forest Cake
Black forest cake comes from Germany and combines chocolate sponge, whipped cream and cherries. Chocolate shavings on top make it look elegant and festive. It is light yet indulgent, a great choice for anyone who finds buttercream too sweet. It has been a birthday favorite in European families for generations.
You will need: 1 chocolate sponge cake (two layers), 2 cups heavy cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 can cherry pie filling and chocolate shavings.
How to make it: Whip the cream with powdered sugar to stiff peaks. Place one layer on a plate, spread with cream and spoon cherries over it. Top with the second layer and cover the whole cake with cream. Press chocolate shavings around the sides and add cherries on top.
Strawberry Naked Cake
A naked cake has just a thin layer of frosting, so you can see the layers peeking through. It feels rustic and modern at the same time, and fresh strawberries and flowers make it look like art. It is a trendy choice for garden parties and summer birthdays. Less frosting also means less sugar.
You will need: 1 vanilla cake baked in three thin layers, 2 cups whipped cream frosting, 2 cups fresh strawberries and edible flowers.
How to make it: Stack the layers with frosting and sliced strawberries between them. Spread a thin coat of frosting around the outside, then scrape most of it away so the layers show. Decorate the top with whole strawberries and flowers.
Lemon Loaf Birthday Cake
Not everyone wants a giant layer cake. A glazed lemon loaf is a bright, simple birthday treat for smaller gatherings or a coworker’s celebration. It is moist, tangy and easy to slice. Add a few candles to the top, and it is just as special as any fancy cake.
You will need: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/2 cup oil, zest and juice of 2 lemons and 1 cup powdered sugar.
How to make it: Whisk the sugar and lemon zest, then add the eggs, yogurt, oil and lemon juice. Fold in the flour and baking powder. Bake in a loaf pan at 350°F for 50 minutes. Cool and pour lemon glaze over the top.
Berries and Cream Layer Cake
A light sponge cake layered with whipped cream and fresh berries tastes like summer. It is airy and not too sweet, which makes it perfect after a big birthday dinner. The berries add pops of color and freshness. It is a lovely choice among birthday cake recipes for anyone who prefers fruit over chocolate.
You will need: 4 eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 2 cups heavy cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 2 cups mixed berries.
How to make it: Beat the eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Fold in the flour and baking powder. Bake in two pans at 350°F for 20 minutes and cool. Whip the cream with powdered sugar. Layer the cakes with cream and berries and top with more berries.
Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake
An ice cream cake is the birthday dream of every kid. Layers of cookies and cream ice cream sit on a crunchy chocolate cookie crust, topped with whipped cream and more cookies. You can make it days ahead and keep it in the freezer. Just let it sit for 10 minutes before slicing.
You will need: 30 chocolate sandwich cookies, 4 tablespoons melted butter, 1.5 quarts cookies and cream ice cream, 1 cup hot fudge and whipped topping.
How to make it: Crush 20 cookies and mix with butter, then press into a springform pan. Spread half the softened ice cream on top, add a layer of fudge and the remaining ice cream. Freeze for six hours. Top with whipped topping and crushed cookies.
Southern Coconut Cake
Coconut cake is a Southern celebration favorite, tall and snowy white with coconut in every layer. The cake is soft and moist, and the frosting is covered in shredded coconut. It looks elegant on a cake stand and tastes like a tropical vacation. Many families make it every Easter and birthday.
You will need: 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 3/4 cup butter, 4 egg whites, 1 cup coconut milk, cream cheese frosting and 2 cups shredded coconut.
How to make it: Cream the butter and sugar, beat in the egg whites, then add flour and coconut milk in turns. Bake in two pans at 350°F for 25 minutes. Frost with cream cheese frosting and press shredded coconut all over the cake.
Strawberry Cheesecake
For the cheesecake lovers in your family, a strawberry cheesecake makes a perfect birthday dessert. A buttery graham crust holds a rich, creamy filling, and a glossy strawberry topping adds bright color. Bake it the day before so it has time to chill and set. It is one of the most requested birthday cake recipes for adults.
You will need: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 5 tablespoons butter, 24 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1 cup sour cream and strawberry topping.
How to make it: Press the crumbs and butter into a springform pan. Beat the cream cheese and sugar, add the eggs one at a time and fold in sour cream. Bake at 325°F for 60 minutes, then cool in the oven with the door cracked. Chill overnight and top with strawberries.
Vintage Cherry Vanilla Cake
Vintage style cakes with piped borders and bright cherries are having a big comeback. They look like something from a 1950s bakery window and bring a smile to every face. The cake is a simple vanilla sponge, and the fun is all in the piping. Use a star tip and do not worry about perfection.
You will need: 1 vanilla layer cake, 3 cups vanilla buttercream, a few drops pastel food coloring and 10 maraschino cherries with stems.
How to make it: Frost the cake smoothly with a thin layer of buttercream. Tint the rest pale yellow or pink and pipe a ruffled border around the top and bottom using a star tip. Place cherries evenly around the top edge.
Classic Chocolate Birthday Cake
Sometimes the best birthday cake is the one you remember from childhood: a simple, rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and a crown of candles. It is easy to make and always a crowd pleaser. Write a name on top with sprinkles or candy letters to make it personal.
You will need: 1 3/4 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 3/4 cup cocoa, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 2 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup oil, 1 cup hot water and chocolate frosting.
How to make it: Whisk the dry ingredients, then add eggs, milk and oil. Stir in the hot water. Pour into two greased pans and bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely, then frost and add candles.
