Confetti Cake With Brown Sugar Buttercream Food

FLUFFY CONFETTI BIRTHDAY CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottoms and sides of two 9-inch round cake pans; dust with flour, then tap out the excess.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Beat the butter, granulated sugar and oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light in color and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, then beat in the vanilla until combined.
• Alternate folding the flour mixture and milk into the batter with a spatula, adding the flour in 3 additions and the milk in 2, starting and ending with the flour, until just smooth. Add the sprinkles and fold 3 or 4 times until just blended to prevent the colors from bleeding too much. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
• Bake the cakes on the same oven rack, rotating the pans about halfway if they seem to be browning unevenly, until golden on top and the centers spring back to the touch, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in the pans about 10 minutes, then turn out onto cooling racks and let cool completely.
• For the frosting: While the cakes cool, beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar. Once it's all been added, increase the speed to medium-high, and beat until white and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla until blended. Add 2 tablespoons of the milk, and beat to incorporate. Beat in the remaining milk, 1 tablespoon at a time (the frosting will be spreadable but not runny).
• To assemble: Place 1 cake layer right-side up on a cake plate or stand, and spread with 1 cup of the frosting. Top with the second cake layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Decorate the top with additional sprinkles.
• The cake layers can be made a day ahead; wrap the cooled layers in plastic and aluminum foil and store at room temperature overnight. You can also assemble and frost the cake the day before serving; let it stand at room temperature overnight, covered by a large bowl or cake dome (if your kitchen is very hot, chill the cake and let it stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour before serving).

INSTANT POT CONFETTI BIRTHDAY CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Coat a 7-inch round cake pan with 3-inch sides with nonstick spray. Line the bottom of the pan with a parchment, coat the paper.
• Whisk together the flour, sprinkles, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl to combine.
• Beat the butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until pale yellow, 2 minutes. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat on high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the vanilla and egg, scraping down sides and bottom of the bowl, and continue to beat until creamy, about 2 minutes (the mixture will look curdled but will come back together after it has been beaten for 1 or 2 minutes).
• With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the sour cream in 2 additions, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Place two 18-inch pieces of twine criss-crossing one another on a clean work surface. Place the cake pan over the twine, then lay a clean dish towel over the top of the cake pan and tuck the ends under. Take the 2 ends of 1 piece of twine and tie them into a tight knot over the top of the cake pan. Repeat with the remaining twine so that you have two twine handles to support and lift the cake.
• Set a rack inside the Instant Pot® and add 2 cups water. Using the twine handles, place the cake inside the pot. Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high pressure for 40 minutes (see Cook's Note).
• After the pressure cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for natural release for 15 minutes and then quick release and wait until the cycle is complete. Be careful of any remaining steam and unlock and remove the lid.
• Lift the cake out of the pot. Cut the twine and unwrap the cake pan, then transfer to a wire rack. Let the cake cool in the pan, 30 minutes, then invert the cake onto a rack, peel off the parchment and let cool completely.
• Invert the cake again so that it is right-side up. Horizontally trim the top dome from the cake with a long serrated knife to create a flat surface. Slice the cake in half horizontally to make 2 layers. (Cake can be baked 1 day ahead.) Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
• For the buttercream: Beat the confectioners' sugar and butter with an electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape in the seeds from the vanilla bean, then add 2 tablespoons cream and continue to beat on high speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if necessary for a spreadable consistency.
• Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand or large plate. Spoon 1 1/2 cups buttercream over the top. Smooth the buttercream to the edge of the cake using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, creating an even layer. Place another cake layer on top. Spread the remaining buttercream over the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with sprinkles as desired.

CONFETTI CAKE WITH BROWN SUGAR BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 2 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease parchment., In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Beat in butter. Add egg whites, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in milk and extracts. Gently fold in jimmies., Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., For buttercream, in a heatproof bowl of a stand mixer, whisk egg whites, brown sugar and salt until blended. Place over simmering water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisking constantly, heat mixture until a thermometer reads 160°, about 2-3 minutes., Remove from heat. With whisk attachment of stand mixer, beat on high speed until stiff glossy peaks form, about 7 minutes., Gradually beat in butter, a few tablespoons at a time, on medium speed until smooth. Beat in vanilla and enough food coloring to achieve desired color., Immediately spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Decorate with sprinkles. Store in refrigerator.

RAINBOW SPRINKLE CONFETTI CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For the confetti cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line three 8-inch round pans with parchment rounds, then grease with nonstick cooking spray.
• Mix together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle until fully combined. Mix chunks of butter slowly into the dry mixture with the mixer running on low speed until no large chunks of butter remain and the mixture becomes crumbly. Pour in the egg whites and mix on low until just incorporated. Mix in the buttermilk.
• Add the vanilla extract, almond extract and oil, and mix on low speed until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Fold the sprinkles into the cake batter using a rubber spatula, just until they're evenly distributed. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.
• Bake, rotating and switching the positions of the baking pans halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean, 34 to 36 minutes. Allow the pans to cool on a rack for 10 minutes, then run an offset spatula around the perimeters of the pans to separate the cakes from the pans.
• Place the cake layers in their pans in the freezer until fully cooled, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Carefully flip the pans and remove the layers from the pans.
• Use a serrated knife to level the tops of the layers. Set aside.
• For the vanilla buttercream: Meanwhile, beat the butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth, about 30 seconds. Turn the mixer to low speed and slowly add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, alternating with small splashes of cream. Continue to beat until fully mixed, then add the vanilla and salt and beat until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the desired consistency is reached. (If the frosting is too thick, add more cream 1 tablespoon at a time. If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar 1/4 cup at a time.)
• Stack the first cake layer on a greaseproof cake board, using a dab of frosting to help it stick. Add an even layer of buttercream to the top of the layer, then continue to stack and frost the layers in the same manner.
• Apply a thin coat of frosting around the sides of the cake to fully cover the cake layers. Add as little frosting as possible to the top of the cake, to make it easier to handle during the sprinkle roll. Smooth the sides using a bench scraper, then chill the cake until the frosting is firm to the touch, 10 minutes in the fridge or 5 minutes in the freezer.
• Add a second, thicker layer of frosting to the sides of the cake, and smooth using a bench scraper. Place a second cake board on top of the cake.
• Fill a baking pan with an even layer of the rainbow sprinkles, then carefully pick up the cake and roll it in the sprinkles. Place the remaining frosting in a piping bag fit with an open-star cake decorating tip, such as a Wilton 1M tip, and pipe swirls around the top of the cake.

LEMON SPONGE VERTICAL LAYER CAKE WITH RASPBERRY BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For the sponge cake: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease the bottom of a rimmed half-sheet pan (18 by 13 inches) and line the bottom only with parchment. Grease the parchment.
• Heat the cream in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave until steaming, about 1 minute. Add to a large mixing bowl and whisk in the flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk until smooth. add in the 10 egg yolks, vanilla extract, lemon extract and lemon zest, whisking until completely smooth. Set aside.
• In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites on medium speed until foamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the vinegar and begin to slowly add the granulated sugar over a 30 second period and then raise the mixer speed to medium high and whip until medium stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.
• Fold the egg whites into the yolk-flour mixture in 3 additions. Do this carefully to retain an airy mixture. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface.
• Bake until golden in color and springy to the touch, 14 to 16 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Run an offset spatula around the edges of the cake, place a piece of parchment over the surface, place a cooling rack on top and flip the cake out of the pan. Use another cooling rack to flip the cake back over so that it can cool upright.
• For the buttercream: Combine the raspberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water in a large heavy-bottomed pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Use a spoon to crush the raspberries as they cook. Continue to simmer, stirring frequently, until the raspberry pulp has reduced by about half, 10 to 15 minutes. Strain through a sieve and allow to cool (but do not chill).
• Combine the confectioners' sugar, egg whites and vanilla in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Combine on low until the sugar is incorporated and then raise the speed to high and whip for 10 minutes. Add half the softened butter, whipping on low to combine. Add the remaining butter, scrape down the bowl and whip attachment and then return the mixer to medium speed and beat until the mixture is fully combined, light and smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cooled raspberry sauce with the mixer on low and allow to combine. Add the orange liqueur. Raise the mixer speed to medium high and beat until smooth.
• For the cake and decorations: Cut the cooled cake lengthwise into three strips that are each 4 inches wide and 16 inches long. Spread about 1 cup of the raspberry buttercream over each strip. Roll up the first strip, then line up the end of the first roll with the start of the second strip. Continue rolling until all 3 strips have been rolled. Turn the cake upright and place on a cake stand.
• Cover the cake with the raspberry buttercream. Transfer the remaining buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a small fluted piping tip. Finish the top of the cake with piped dollops of buttercream and a sprinkling of crushed freeze-dried raspberries.

CONFETTI BIRTHDAY CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 3 greased 8-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper. In a large bowl, cream butter, oil and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, then egg whites, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fold in sprinkles., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely., For buttercream, in a large microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and cream. Microwave on high 30 seconds. Stir gently. Continue microwaving on high, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and blended; cool to room temperature. In another large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add vanilla and salt. Beat in cooled chocolate. Beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes., To assemble cake, place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with 1/2 cup frosting. Freeze until set, about 10 minutes. Frost top and sides with remaining frosting.