Description
This delightful Easter Cake Recipe features light and fluffy vanilla layers perfect for celebrating spring. The moist cake is enhanced with a creamy buttercream frosting and optional pastel food coloring to create a festive look. Easy to prepare and customizable with seasonal flavors or decorations, this classic American dessert is ideal for holiday gatherings and celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- Pastel food coloring (optional)
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Easter-themed sprinkles or decorations (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Cake Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3–4 minutes. This step helps create a tender cake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to fully combine. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and whole milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing and dense cake.
- Color the Batter (Optional): If using, divide the batter evenly into separate bowls and tint each with pastel food coloring to create a festive layered effect.
- Bake the Cakes: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely to room temperature.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cake layers are fully cooled, use an offset spatula to layer and frost the cake evenly.
- Decorate: Finish by decorating with Easter-themed sprinkles, candies, or piped frosting designs to add a festive touch.
Notes
- You can add lemon zest or almond extract to the batter for a fresh spring flavor twist.
- For a time-saving option, use boxed cake mix with homemade frosting.
- Store the cake in the refrigerator if preparing ahead to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
