30th Birthday Cake
This 30th Birthday Cake recipe gives you a moist, fluffy base that’s easy to personalize for the big milestone. Whether you want a minimalist white cake, a funny birthday cake with playful toppers, or a chic layered cake with chocolate and gold, this recipe is flexible, reliable, and unforgettable.
Equipment
- Two 9-inch Round Cake Pans
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric Mixer
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
Base Cake
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream adds moisture
Frosting Options
- 1 cup unsalted butter for buttercream
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese for cream cheese frosting
- 8 oz semisweet chocolate for ganache
- 1 cup heavy cream for ganache
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla.
- Alternate adding flour mixture with milk and sour cream, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- Prepare your frosting of choice (buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or ganache) and decorate as desired.
Notes
For a minimalist cake, frost smoothly with buttercream and top with a single flower or metallic detail. For a funny twist, use edible toppers or themed decorations. For him, try bold chocolate or coffee flavors; for her, pastel ombré or floral finishes.