Birthday Sheet Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 12 by 18 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan.
• To make the cake, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. On medium speed, add the eggs, 2 at a time, then the sour cream, vanilla, and lemon zest, scraping down the bowl as needed. Mix well. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir just until smooth. Finish mixing by hand to be sure the batter is well mixed. Pour evenly into the pan, smooth the top with a spatula, and bake in the center of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan to room temperature.
• For the frosting, place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until the chips are completely melted. Off the heat, add the corn syrup and vanilla and allow the chocolate mixture to cool to room temperature. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the chocolate mixture and softened butter on medium speed for a few minutes, until it's thickened.
• Spread the frosting evenly on the cake. Have the children decorate the cake with chocolate candies.

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
• Combine the buttermilk, vanilla extract and almond extract in a glass measuring cup or small bowl.
• Beat together the butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the oil and eggs and beat on high until the mixture is a little lighter in color and texture. Scape down the bowl and beat in the buttermilk mixture. Add in the sifted dry ingredients in three additions, mixing each addition in just until incorporated before adding the next.
• Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool to room temperature.
• For the frosting: Melt the chocolate and butter together in a medium heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. When melted, remove the chocolate mixture from the heat and stir in the sour cream, vanilla extract, espresso powder, if using, and salt. Gradually beat in 2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, adding more to reach a spreadable consistency.
• When the cake is cool, either leave the cake in the pan or turn it out onto a serving plate and spread the frosting overtop. Scatter sprinkles over the cake, if using, and cut to serve.