Perfect Leo Birthday Cake Recipe Easy Elegant Gold Star Decorations Ideas
A quick and elegant birthday cake recipe featuring rich buttery layers and shimmering gold star decorations, perfect for celebrating the bold Leo spirit.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour – 2 ½ cups (315g), sifted
- Baking powder – 2 ½ teaspoons
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
- Unsalted butter – 1 cup (227g), softened
- Granulated sugar – 1 ¾ cups (350g)
- Large eggs – 4, room temperature
- Whole milk – 1 cup (240ml), room temperature
- Pure vanilla extract – 2 teaspoons
- Unsalted butter – 1 cup (227g), softened (for frosting)
- Powdered sugar – 4 cups (480g), sifted
- Heavy cream – 2-3 tablespoons (30-45ml)
- Pure vanilla extract – 1 ½ teaspoons (for frosting)
- Pinch of salt (for frosting)
- Gold star edible sprinkles or gold leaf flakes – about 2 tablespoons
- Gold edible glitter (optional)
- Star-shaped cake toppers or cookie cutters (optional)
Instructions
- 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 in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until smooth.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- With mixer on low, alternately add sifted flour mixture in three parts and milk in two parts, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- For frosting, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed to avoid dust cloud.
- Add heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on high until light and fluffy, adjusting cream for desired consistency.
- Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread about ½ inch of buttercream on top.
- Add second layer and frost top and sides evenly.
- Decorate with edible gold stars and optionally dust with edible glitter or add star-shaped toppers.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for better emulsification. Avoid overmixing after adding flour to keep cake tender. Check cake doneness starting at 28 minutes. Chill cake for 15 minutes before serving to set frosting. Use tweezers or small spoon to apply gold stars delicately. Frosting consistency can be adjusted with more cream or powdered sugar. Cake layers can be leveled if domed for even stacking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of c
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: birthday cake, Leo birthday cake, gold star decorations, easy cake recipe, buttery cake, buttercream frosting, elegant cake, quick cake recipe