Recipe Overview 🍽️
The birthday cake is a classic for celebrations, often filled with cream, fruits, or chocolate, and decorated to mark a special event. This festive cake can be adapted to the celebrant’s preferences, with flavors ranging from the traditional vanilla cake to more sophisticated options, such as chocolate cakes or multi-layer decorated cakes.
| Prep Time | Total | Servings |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Min | 1 Hr 30 Min (including baking and decorating) | 8-10 slices |
History of the Recipe ✍️
The birthday cake has origins dating back to ancient times, but its modern form evolved in Europe during the 19th century, particularly in Germany, where cakes began to be made to celebrate birthdays. The tradition of decorating a cake with candles also symbolizes wishes and blessings.
Ingredients 🛒
listed in the order of use in the procedure:
- 200 g flour
- 150 g sugar
- 4 eggs
- 100 g melted butter
- 100 ml milk
- 1 packet of baking powder (about 11 g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Whipped cream, ganache, or other toppings of your choice (optional for decoration)
Steps (How to Make ) 🥣
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 20 cm (8-inch) round cake pan.
- Mix the dry ingredients: sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl.
- Beat the eggs and sugar in another bowl until the mixture becomes frothy and slightly pale.
- Incorporate the melted butter and vanilla extract into the egg mixture.
- Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk, until a smooth batter is formed.
- Pour the batter into the pan and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool before removing it from the pan.
- Decorate with whipped cream, chocolate ganache, or fresh fruits according to your preferences.
Chef Tips 👨🍳
- You can add a touch of food coloring to the batter for a surprising visual effect.
- For a fluffier cake, replace part of the milk with cream.
- For a more intense flavor, add some lemon or orange zest to the batter.
Possible Variations 🎭
- Chocolate Cake: Add 50 g of cocoa powder to the batter.
- Vanilla Cake with Fruits: Top the cake with fresh fruits or a compote of seasonal fruits.
- Gluten-Free Cake: Use gluten-free flour instead of regular flour.
Bake Time 🔥
Baking a birthday cake typically takes about 30 to 40 minutes at 180°C (350°F), depending on the thickness of the cake. This ensures that the cake is cooked evenly throughout, resulting in a moist and tender crumb. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready. For a perfectly baked birthday cake, it’s essential to monitor the baking process closely, as oven temperatures can vary. Additionally, allowing the cake to cool completely before frosting will enhance its overall texture and flavor, making it a delightful centerpiece for any celebration.
How to Store 🥡
How to Store the Birthday Cake
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. If you used cream or fresh toppings, keep it in the refrigerator.
How to Store the Birthday Cake
The cake can last up to 3 days under proper conditions. If frozen, it can last up to a month.
Food and Drink Pairings 🥂
This birthday cake pairs well with a light tea, coffee, or fresh fruit juice. For children, it can be accompanied by milk.
Presentation Suggestion 🍽️
Decorate the cake with candles, fresh fruits, edible glitter, or sugar decorations for a spectacular visual effect. You can also add personalized messages with icing.
Why It’s Healthy 💚
Although sweet, this cake can be adapted to contain healthier ingredients like whole wheat flour, coconut sugar, or fresh fruits as toppings. Natural ingredients like eggs and milk provide protein and calcium.
Nutritional Value (per serving) .
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Protein: 4 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g