16 Birthday Cake
This Sweet 16 Birthday Cake is soft, elegant, and full of joyful flavor—perfect for celebrating a milestone birthday with beauty and love. Customize it with colors, pearls, or florals to make it unforgettable.
Equipment
- 8-inch Round Cake Pans
- Mixing Bowls
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- Spatula
- Cake Leveler or Serrated Knife
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup sour cream
- pink or pastel food coloring optional
Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 tbsp milk or heavy cream
- optional decorations edible pearls, macarons, gold leaf, or fresh flowers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, ending with dry. Fold in sour cream and add food coloring if desired.
- Divide the batter evenly between pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
- For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually. Mix in vanilla and milk until fluffy.
- Frost the cooled cake layers and decorate as desired with pearls, flowers, or macarons.
Notes
Make it your own with pastel hues, a glittery topper, or fresh fruit. Chill layers before stacking for easier frosting, and level the tops for a polished look. Great for birthdays from 13 to 18!