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Easy No-Fail Birthday Sheet Cake with Vanilla Buttercream

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A moist, tender vanilla sheet cake topped with silky vanilla buttercream. This one-bowl recipe is quick, easy, and perfect for feeding a crowd without any fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • For the Vanilla Buttercream:
  • 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 5–6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • a pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides halfway through.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. With mixer on low, add one-third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Add half of the buttermilk and the vanilla, then mix. Repeat with another third of flour, remaining buttermilk, and final third of flour. Stop mixing as soon as flour disappears.
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
  7. Bake for 28-33 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  8. For the buttercream: Beat softened butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, on low speed. Add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time, then vanilla. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Add a pinch of salt and beat once more.
  9. Once cake is completely cool, spread buttercream evenly over the top using an offset spatula.
  10. Cut into squares and serve at room temperature.

Notes

Room temperature ingredients are crucial for best results. Do not overmix the batter. Let cake cool completely before frosting. For a flat cake, use a damp cake strip. Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet cake, birthday cake, vanilla cake, buttercream, easy cake, one-bowl cake, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/easy-no-fail-birthday-sheet-cake-with-vanilla-buttercream/