This easy birthday cake with vanilla frosting yields a classic birthday treatthe more sprinkles the better.

In addition to adding nostalgia, the rainbow sprinkles provide vibrant pops of color throughout the moist cake.

You’ll also need clear vanilla extract and rainbow sprinkles for that classic birthday cake flavor and presentation.

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake sliced with a serving on a plate

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Bring to room temperature before frosting and garnishing as directed.

Can I Use This Cake Recipe for Other Occasions?

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake ingredients

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Butter and flour a 9- x- 13-inch metal baking pan.

Turn the mixer on low and mix until combined.

Add 1/4 cup of the rainbow sprinkles and fold into batter with a spatula.

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake Sliced on plates to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Add batter to pan:

Pour Cake batter into prepared baking pan.

Sprinkle surface with remaining 2 Tbsp.

Allow the cake to cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake preparing the pan

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Add the remaining ingredients and beat on medium-high for 5 minutes until light and fluffy.

Clear vanilla extract is essential in this recipe for providing the nostalgic flavor of a classic birthday cake.

Do not use pure vanilla extract, as the flavor will be very different.

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake mixing together the dry ingredients

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Frequently Asked Questions

Avoid overbaking to achieve a moist cake.

confirm to butter or spray the pan before adding the cake batter for easy removal.

you might also line with parchment paper if desired.

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake adding the butter and shortening to the dry ingredients

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake butter mixed into the dry ingredients

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake whisking together the wet ingredients

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake adding some of the wet ingredients to the dry

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake folding in the sprinkles

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake adding the batter to the pan

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake sprinkling the batter with sprinkles

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake after baking

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake beating together the butter and cream cheese

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake adding the sugar

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake after the frosting has been finished

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Classic Birthday Cake decorated and ready to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf