Vanilla Birthday Cake With Old Fashioned Vanilla Buttercream Food

VANILLA BIRTHDAY CAKE WITH OLD-FASHIONED VANILLA BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Spray two 8-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Cut two 8-inch rounds of parchment paper and line the bottom of each pan; spray the paper with nonstick spray. (To measure the parchment paper, just trace the bottom of the pan.)
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed for about 5 minutes, or until very soft and light. Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the egg whites and milk by hand in a medium bowl until just combined.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in one-quarter of the flour mixture, then one-third of the milk mixture, stopping and scraping down the bowl and beater after each addition. Beat in another quarter of the flour, then another third of the milk mixture. Scrape again. Repeat with another quarter of the flour and the remaining milk mixture; scrape. Finally, beat in the remaining flour mixture.
• Scrape the bowl with a large rubber spatula. Don't worry if the the batter looks a little grainy. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
• Bake the cakes for 30-35 minutes, until they are well risen and firm and a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. Cool the cakes in the pans on rack for 5 minutes, then unmold onto rack to finish cooling right side up (keep parchment paper underneath cake layers so they don't stick to rack). When cake layers are completely cool, transfer to cake plate and frost with vanilla buttercream. (I always flip the bottom layer of the cake so that the domed side is facing down and touching the plate. That way, the surface that you're icing is flat and will minimize any separating between the two layers when you put the other layer on top of it.)
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese until creamy and well combined.
• Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, then beat in the vanilla and salt. If the frosting is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk or cream.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cake can be frozen, without frosting, for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, double-wrap it securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it in heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw overnight on the countertop and then frost before serving.

VANILLA SHEET CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Grease and flour a 9X13 baking pan.
• Mix cake mix, pudding mix, flour, sugar and baking powder together in a large mixing bowl.
• Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla extract to dry mixture.
• Beat with an electric mixer on low speed till ingredients are incorporated, about 30 seconds.
• Stop mixer and scrape down sides of bowl with a spatula.
• Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 1 1/2 minutes longer or until the batter is blended and smooth.
• Pour into prepared pan and bake and bake for 50 minutes or until cake tests done.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack in pan for 20-25 minutes before turning out on a cake board or platter. Once removed from pan put in freezer for 2 hours.
• To prepare frosting, beat butter/margerine in a large bowl until well creamed.
• Add sifted confectioner's sugar and 3 tablespoons of milk a little at a time until well incorporated, about 1 minute.
• Add the vanilla, then increase mixer speed to medium and beat the frosting until it is light and fluffy, about another 1 longer.
• Add the additional tablespoon of milk if the frosting seems to stiff.
• Frost cake and decorate as desired.

MAGNOLIA BAKERY'S VANILLA BIRTHDAY CAKE AND FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Grease and lightly flour three 9 inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with waxed paper.
• In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth.
• Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Combine the flours and add in four parts, alternating with the milk and the vanilla extract, beating well after each addition.
• Divide batter among the cake pans.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean.
• Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes.
• Remove from pans and cool completely on wire rack.
• If you're making cupcakes, line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake papers.
• Spoon the batter into the cups about three-quarters full.
• Bake until the tops spring back when lightly touched, about 20 to 22 minutes.
• Remove cupcakes from pans and cool completely on a rack before icing.
• When cake has cooled, ice between the layers, then ice top and sides of cake.
• To make the icing - place the butter in a large mixing bowl.
• Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla.
• Beat until smooth and creamy.
• Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, until icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency (you may very well not need all of the sugar).
• If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly.
• Use and store icing at room temperature, as icing will set if chilled.
• Can store in an airtight container for up to three days.