Want to bake a birthday cake but not sure about your baking skills? Don’t fret! There are plenty of beginner-friendly birthday cake recipes that are low-effort but give you room to be creative. Since birthday cakes are usually more elaborate than regular ones and usually contain multiple layers or more ingredients, most amateur bakers are not sure if they’re prepared to make a full-sized birthday cake.
However, you can go for fool-proof recipes and fun formats which are creative and also save you the trouble of worrying about high-skilled baking. Here are some great birthday cake recipes for beginner bakers:
Classic Vanilla Sponge Cake
A vanilla sponge is always easy for beginners since dryness or sweetness can easily be monitored and fixed as the sponge is being made. Mixing equal parts of softened butter, granulated sugar, and all-purpose flour forms the base of this cake. Add eggs one at a time, ensuring a creamy consistency. To enhance the flavour, incorporate a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Baking until a toothpick comes out clean results in a light and airy sponge. Once cooled, you can pick your own frosting, be it vanilla icing or a lemon drizzle.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
If you’re an amateur baker and have an idea how chocolate chip cookies are made, making a chocolate chip cookie cake will not be a chore for you. The basics of assembling a cookie cake are similar to assembling ingredients for a cookie. A cookie cake is essentially a giant cookie that is baked in a cake pan. It combines the chewy, buttery goodness of cookies with the size and density of a cake.
Cookie cakes are typically baked as one large, thick cookie in the shape of a round or rectangular cake; the cookie dough is pressed into a cake pan, and it needs to be baked it turns golden brown. Once cooled, transform it into a cake-like masterpiece by spreading a thick layer of chocolate ganache over the top. Make sure it doesn’t get soggy and store it in a dry, cool space.
No-Bake Ice Cream Cake
Crafting an ice cream cake without the need for an oven is perfect for beginners. Begin by arranging store-bought ice cream sandwiches in a cake pan, creating a base layer. Top this with softened ice cream, repeating until the pan is full. Allow it to set in the freezer. Finish it off by generously frosting the cake with whipped cream and drizzling chocolate syrup over the top. You can also enhance the texture by adding a crunchy or nutty layer on top
Fruity Yogurt Parfait Cake
Parfait cakes are usually layered so it’s easy to manage for a beginner. In a cake pan, layer vanilla or fruit-flavoured yoghurt with granola and fresh berries. Repeat these layers until the pan is filled, creating a visually appealing and deliciously wholesome dessert. Freeze the cake until it reaches a firm consistency. Before serving, drizzle honey over the top and garnish with additional berries for a burst of flavour and freshness.
Peanut Butter Mug Cake
A mug cake for a birthday? It can be all kinds of fun! You can opt for a bigger pot instead of a smaller mug and simply adjust the portions accordingly. Combine flour, sugar, and peanut butter in a mug, adding a pinch of baking powder, an egg, and a splash of milk. Stir until well combined and microwave for a few minutes. The result is a warm, gooey peanut butter cake that can be topped with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added flavour.