Ingredients
Baking the perfect two layer 16th birthday cake doesn’t have to be a stressful endeavor. In fact, with the right ingredients, it can be quite fun. To start, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 3 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 and 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
Instructions
Now that you’ve gathered all of your ingredients, you’re ready to begin baking. To make your two layer 16th birthday cake, follow these instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and lightly flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time until combined. Beat in vanilla extract.
- Reduce mixer speed to low and add in flour mixture in three batches, alternating with milk and beginning and ending with flour. Beat until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons of hot water until smooth. Set aside.
- Once cakes are cooled, use a serrated knife to level each layer.
- Spread the chocolate frosting on top of the first layer. Place the second layer on top and spread the remaining frosting on top and sides.
- Decorate as desired. Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
When baking your two layer 16th birthday cake, there are a few tips and tricks that you should keep in mind. Here are a few of the most helpful:
- Always preheat your oven before baking. This will ensure a consistent temperature throughout the baking process.
- Make sure to grease and lightly flour your cake pans before adding the batter. This will help ensure that the cakes come out of the pans easily.
- Don’t overmix the batter. When mixing the batter, only mix until all of the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can cause the cakes to be dense and heavy.
- Level the cakes with a serrated knife. This will help ensure that your two layer cake looks even and professional.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely before adding the frosting. If you frost the cakes when they are still warm, the frosting will melt and make a mess.
Conclusion
Baking the perfect two layer 16th birthday cake doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right ingredients and instructions, you can easily create a beautiful and delicious cake. Keep these tips and tricks in mind and you’ll be well on your way to creating the perfect two layer cake for your next birthday celebration.