Aquarius Season Birthday Cake
This light and flavorful vanilla cake, featuring lemon zest, is perfect for celebrating birthdays with family and friends.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 4 cups all-purpose flour Can be substituted with gluten-free flour.
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter Softened to room temperature.
- 5 large eggs Brought to room temperature.
- 1 cup whole milk Brought to room temperature.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest Zest from one lemon.
For the Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter Softened to room temperature.
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare two nine-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring them.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, which should take about five minutes.
- Slowly add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture in three parts, alternating with milk until smooth.
- Fold in the lemon zest.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
Baking
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool in the pans for ten minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack.
Frosting
- For the frosting, beat the butter until creamy and pale.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until fluffy.
- Add vanilla extract and adjust with heavy cream to achieve desired consistency.
Notes
For the perfect consistency, taste the frosting and adjust sweetness with more cream if necessary. You can decorate with gel food coloring, sprinkles, or edible flowers.