Description
A soft, tender, and beautifully decorated cake that’s perfect for celebrating Mom. Classic vanilla layers with fluffy frosting, fresh berries, or fruity filling make this cake extra special for Mother’s Day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh berries or 1/2 cup fruit preserves (optional, for filling)
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream or 1 cup unsalted butter (for frosting)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Food coloring, sprinkles, or edible flowers (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with milk, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat heavy cream or butter with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Add food coloring if desired.
- Spread a layer of fresh berries or fruit preserves on one cake layer, if using, then top with the second layer.
- Frost the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with sprinkles, edible flowers, or piped designs as desired.
Notes
- Add lemon zest to the batter for a citrus twist.
- Use almond extract instead of vanilla for a delicate flavor variation.
- Decorate with fresh flowers or piped rosettes for an elegant finish.
- Swap the filling for strawberry or raspberry jam for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 100mg