40th Birthday Cake for Women
Elegant, soft, and beautifully timeless — this 40th Birthday Cake for Women is a heartfelt way to celebrate life, love, and milestones. With buttery vanilla layers and creamy frosting, it’s a sweet tribute to confidence and grace at forty.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric Mixer
- Two 8-inch Round Cake Pans
- Cooling Rack
- Offset Spatula
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- edible gold leaf, flowers, or sprinkles optional, for decoration
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Gradually alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, mixing until smooth and just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly into pans and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cakes completely before frosting.
- For the buttercream, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in heavy cream and vanilla until fluffy.
- Frost and decorate with gold leaf, flowers, or chocolate drips for an elegant, celebratory finish.
Notes
To elevate this 40th Birthday Cake for Women, add a touch of sparkle with edible glitter or pair it with a glass of champagne. For flavor variety, add layers of fruit preserves or a hint of almond extract to the batter.