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Perfect Sunflower Leo Birthday Cake Recipe with Easy Gold Leaf Buttercream Petals

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A stunning and easy-to-make vanilla birthday cake decorated with delicate gold leaf buttercream petals, perfect for special occasions and celebrations.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour – 2 ½ cups (320g), sifted
  • Baking powder – 2 ½ tsp
  • Salt – ½ tsp
  • Unsalted butter – 1 cup (227g), softened
  • Granulated sugar – 1 ¾ cups (350g)
  • Large eggs – 4, room temperature
  • Pure vanilla extract – 2 tsp
  • Whole milk – 1 cup (240ml), warmed slightly
  • Unsalted butter – 1 ½ cups (340g), softened (for buttercream)
  • Powdered sugar – 4 cups (480g), sifted
  • Pure vanilla extract – 2 tsp (for buttercream)
  • Heavy cream – 2 to 3 tbsp (30-45ml)
  • Edible gold leaf sheets – about 5-6 sheets

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  2. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  4. With mixer on low, add sifted dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with warmed milk in two parts, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
  5. Divide batter evenly between pans and smooth tops. Bake 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean and cakes spring back when pressed.
  6. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks to cool completely (at least 1 hour).
  7. For buttercream, beat softened butter on medium speed until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well between additions. Stir in vanilla and 2 tbsp heavy cream. Beat on high for 3-4 minutes until fluffy. Adjust consistency with remaining cream if needed.
  8. Level cooled cakes if needed. Spread a generous layer of buttercream between layers.
  9. Apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream over entire cake. Chill for 20 minutes to set.
  10. Fill piping bag fitted with petal tip with buttercream. Pipe petals starting from outer edge in concentric circles, overlapping slightly. Use tweezers to carefully apply edible gold leaf onto select petals.
  11. Work in a cool room to prevent buttercream melting. Chill cake briefly if needed during piping.

Notes

Work in a cool room to keep buttercream from melting. Chill cake briefly if buttercream softens. Use dry tweezers to handle edible gold leaf carefully. Imperfect petals add character and warmth. Can substitute almond or lemon extract for vanilla for flavor variations. Gluten-free and dairy-free adaptations possible.

Nutrition

Keywords: sunflower cake, birthday cake, gold leaf, buttercream petals, vanilla cake, easy cake recipe, celebration cake

Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/perfect-sunflower-leo-birthday-cake-recipe-with-easy-gold-leaf-buttercream-petals/