How To Make A Birthday Cake: 7 Top Tips

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Have you ever wondered how to make a birthday cake yourself. Making someone you love a birthday cake from scratch is a special way to mark the occasion. It’s also a great way to save some money on a professionally made cake.

However, there are many things that can go wrong when making a birthday cake at home. It’s not always as easy as professional bakers make it look.

If you want a celebration in every slice, you’ll need to be prepared. Here’s how to get it right.

Make The Cake In Advance

Making a birthday cake can be time consuming. You don’t want the pressure of making it on the day, especially if something goes wrong.

The great news is, you can make a cake a few days in advance and it will still taste as fresh on the day of the celebration.

Two days beforehand is ideal for freshness. It will also give you time to make any last adjustments without feeling too stressed.

Get The Right Tools

Every baker is only as good as the tools they use. It’s the same for any kind of creation. The right tools are vital when it comes to doing a good job.

Be sure you have measuring cups, a reliable mixer, cake tins, and frosting accessories. You may be surprised by how much easier the right tools will make the job for you.

Choose A Reliable Frosting

The frosting is one of the most important aspects of a birthday cake. In addition to tasting good, it also has to look good. If this is your first attempt at making a birthday cake, choose you’re frosting wisely.

You might want to try chocolate frosting, old fashioned vanilla buttercream or my favorite – cream cheese frosting.

Cream cheese frosting is an excellent choice for decorating a birthday cake. You can find frosting recipes with cream cheese easily and it’s always a hit with cake lovers. It’s also pliable which makes it easy to spread and design with.

Don’t Fret About Layers

If you’re making a birthday cake for the first time, don’t worry too much about layers. You’ve probably seen many impressive birthday cakes with multiple layers and multiple fillings but you don’t have to overcomplicate things to impress. In fact, you don’t need to do layers at all.

If you feel more confident having one large cake with no layers, there’s nothing to stop you doing that. Let the taste of the cake speak for itself.

Never Underestimate Sprinkles

If you want a pop of color or to add some flare to your design, don’t overlook sprinkles. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They can also be a lifesaver.

If the design you were hoping for isn’t working out, go back to plain frosting and cover it in sprinkles.

Add a sparkler candle to the top and just wait for the gasps of awe from your guests. It works every time.

Different Shape Birthday Cakes

You don’t have to be limited to the classic round or square cake. There are plenty of ideas for unique cakes that are sure to impress your guests.

You could make a two-tier, heart shaped or even a unicorn cake. Have fun with it and you can’t go wrong!

If you only have round cake pans you can bake your cake in layers and stack it on top to make different shapes.

You could try a star shape cake pan or a square bundt cake pan for something a little different.

Get Creative With Toppings

Once your cake is made, you may want to get creative with toppings. You could add some colored chocolate chips or candies to the top of the frosting for a pop of color and sweetness.

You could also use cut fruits such as strawberries or kiwis to decorate the top. Or why not add some of your favorite marshmallows and gummy candies for a fun look?

Birthday Cake Recipes

Now that you’ve got the tips down, it’s time to choose your birthday cake.

Whether it’s a vanilla sponge or a novelty creation such as a layer cake, here are some of our favorite types of homemade birthday cakes:

Vanilla Birthday Cake

A vanilla sponge cake is an easy birthday cake to make at home, and you can decorate it however you want.

Making the vanilla cake batter is super easy and you can decorate this classic birthday cake however you want!

Carrot Cake

Carrot cakes are always popular for birthdays.

Combining carrots and spices with the classic cream cheese frosting makes for the perfect birthday cake for your birthday party. So grab the carrots and walnuts and your good to go.

Chocolate Fudge Cake

Chocolate fudge cake is a delicious way to celebrate any special occasion. If you’re looking for something rich and indulgent, this is the chocolate cake for you.

It’s also easy to make with store-bought frosting or homemade chocolate ganache. Who doesn’t love a chocolate birthday cake?

You can even make an Instant Pot chocolate cake using a box mix!

Red Velvet Cake

Grab the baking powder and preapre to make a red velvet cake is a classic favorite.

The addition of cocoa powder and buttermilk makes for an incredibly moist cake, while the cream cheese frosting gives it that signature flavor.

Banana Cake

No matter which cake you choose, baking it yourself is the perfect way to make a birthday extra special. Have fun and enjoy the process! Good luck!

Yellow Cake

A classic yellow cake is a great way to celebrate a special occasion. This simple buttery cake has the perfect balance of sweetness and makes for an excellent birthday treat.

To make it really special, you can top with silky smooth cream cheese frosting. Yum!

Funfetti Cake

Funfetti cakes are always fun for birthdays. Filled with colorful sprinkles, this cake can be served up as a layer cake or even cupcakes. Grab the cake pans and prepare to wow your guests at your birthday celebration.

Angel Food Cake

Angel food cake is a light and fluffy favorite that’s perfect for a birthday celebration. The meringue-like texture of this cake is sure to please.

You can also top it with whipped cream, fresh fruit or even some homemade caramel sauce to make it extra special. Check out our recipe for Angel Food Cake here!

Orange Cake

Orange cake is a great way to add some citrus flavors to your special day. The orange zest and juice provide a wonderful flavor and the light buttercream frosting gives it an elegant finish.

These are just a few of our favorite homemade birthday cakes, so go ahead and let your creativity fly! Enjoy baking the perfect birthday cake for your celebration! Check out our Orange Cake birthday cake recipe here!

Finishing Touches

To finish off your birthday cake, there are many ways to make it look as professional as possible.

Before you put the cake in the oven, line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal. This will also prevent sticking and help create a perfect shape.

Once out of the oven, let it cool completely before icing. If you find the cake has risen too much, simply level it off so that it is even.

Make Your Own Birthday Cake Today

Making a birthday cake isn’t an easy feat but you can be sure it will mean the world to the recipient.

Whether you make a simple one-layer cake or an impressive multi-tiered layer cake, just know that time and effort put into making it is what matters the most.

So get your ingredients ready and have fun creating something special that will be remembered forever! Enjoy!