How to Make Homemade Birthday Cake

A homemade birthday cake shows you care.

While making a cake from a box mix is certainly acceptable and welcomed, there is just something extra special about creating a homemade birthday cake from scratch to let the birthday honoree know you're thinking about him. There is certainly an element of difficulty when creating a homemade birthday cake, but with the correct fresh ingredients and cooking techniques, you can master it. This recipe for a homemade vanilla cake makes two 9-by-1 1/2 inch round cakes or one 13-by-9-by-2 inch sheet cake.

Things You'll Need

• 4 egg whites
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 1/3 cups buttermilk
• Shortening for greasing
• Pans
• Mixing bowls
• Electric hand mixer
• Wire racks

Instructions

1. Separate your eggs and allow the whites to set at room temperature for about 30 minutes. During this time grease and flour your pan or pans.

2. In a medium bowl, stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set this aside. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

3. Beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium for 30 seconds in a large bowl. Add the sugar and vanilla. Beat until combined. Add the egg whites, one at a time, beating after each. Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beating on low until combined.

4. Spread the batter into the prepared pans. For the round pans, bake for 20 to 25 minutes. For the rectangular pan, bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Cakes are done when a wooden toothpick inserted about an inch from the edge comes out clean.

5. Remove the cake from the pan and cool on a wire rack. Cover it with the frosting of your choice once it's completely cooled.

Tips & Warnings

• Make eggs room temp.

• Follow directions.

• Be careful when using any electrical appliance.

References

• Country Living; Basic Vanilla Cake