Special Birthday Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly spray three 8-inch cake pans with nonstick spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds and spray again.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, eggs, and egg whites until evenly combined. Add the vanilla and milk and whisk until incorporated.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the granulated sugar and salt. Sift in the cake flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix on low speed to incorporate.
• Cut the butter into tablespoon-sized pieces. With the mixer running on low speed, add the butter to the dry ingredients, one piece at a time. Continue mixing until a sandy, coarse meal forms, 3-4 minutes.
• With the mixer running on low speed, pour in one-quarter of the wet ingredients at a time and mix to incorporate, scraping down the sides of the bowl between each addition. Continue mixing until the batter is smooth.
• Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and gently fold in the sprinkles with a rubber spatula.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, tapping the pans on the counter a couple of times to release any large air bubbles.
• Bake the cakes for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean. 8. Set the pans on a wire rack and let the cakes cool completely, about 1 hour. Once cooled, run an offset spatula around the edges of the pans to loosen the cakes, then invert onto the rack and remove the parchment rounds.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting: In a large bowl with an electric hand mixer (or in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), whip the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 3 minutes.
• With the mixer running on low speed, add the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time. Once incorporated, add the cream, vanilla, and salt. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat for 3 minutes, until the frosting is fluffy.
• Assemble the cake: Using a large serrated knife, slice a thin layer off the top of each cake to create a flat surface. Discard the scraps.
• Smear a bit of frosting onto an 8-inch cake round set on top of a cake stand, then place a cake layer on the round. Use a large offset spatula to spread an even layer of frosting over the cake. Place another cake layer on top and frost. Place the last cake layer, bottom-side up, on top and spread a thin layer of frosting over the top and sides of the cake to make the crumb coat. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, until the frosting is set.
• Generously spread a thick, even layer of frosting over the top and sides of the cake. Decorate the cake with the remaining frosting and sprinkles as desired.
• Slice and serve. Cake can be kept at room temperature for 2 hrs and refrigerated for 3 days.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease 2 straight sided 9x12 round cake pans and line with parchment or wax paper.
• Cake: Sift flour, measure carefully 2 1/2 cups and sift this again with the baking powder and salt onto waxed paper or another bowl.
• Beat the butter with electric mixer in a bowl until smooth.
• Gradually beat in 1 1/4 cups sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in yolks one at a time.
• Beat in vanilla, and almond extract.
• On low speed alternately add flour and milk in 3 additions.
• In yet another bowl beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.
• Gradually beat in remaining 1/4 cup sugar until stiff peaks form.
• Carefully fold the egg whites into the batter.
• Scrape the batter into prepared pans, spreading level.
• Bake for 30 minutes.
• The top should spring back when lightly touched.
• Cool pans 10 minutes, then unmold on cake racks to cool.
• icing: Sift sugar and cocoa into a large bowl.
• Add butter, salt and vanilla.
• Beat on high until fluffy, adding drops of milk until desired spreading consistency is reached.
• Frost as usual.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the chips and water; stir until chips are melted. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add melted chip mixture, buttermilk and vanilla; beat well. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture. , In a small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the creamed mixture., Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, combine the sugar, milk and butter in a saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute; remove from the heat. Stir in chips and vanilla until smooth; cool. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake.