Best Birthday Cake Recipe

Celebrate someone's big day with the perfect party dessert!

Everyone needs a classic birthday cake recipe that will delight not only the guest of honor, but the whole party! There is no better birthday combination than a rich chocolate cake with a sweet vanilla buttercream. There are plenty of birthday cakes that will impress a crowd, but this recipe keeps it simple with just two, lofty layers. The creamy, vanilla frosting is the perfect base for colorful sprinkles to pop. Multi-colored jimmies add brightness to the day, but serious chocolate lovers might love the chocolate variety. On someone's big day, serve your decorated cake—just don't forget to wish them a happy birthday!

What type of cake is best for a birthday?

For Ree Drummond's family, a chocolate cake is a must! Whether celebrating with The Pioneer Woman's famous Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever or making a fun shape out of this this chocolate birthday cake recipe, the theme is clear: chocolate cake wins every time!

What is the secret to baking a moist cake?

There are two key ingredients in this recipe which help to keep this birthday cake moist: buttermilk and oil. First, buttermilk is the main liquid ingredient—not only does it help to moisten the cake, but it adds a pleasant tang that plays well with the rich chocolate base. Cakes made with buttermilk often stay moist for two to three days, which makes this homemade cake a great make-ahead dessert. Secondly, reach for oil instead of butter. Oil is a liquid fat and stays a liquid at room temperature (whereas butter will firm up). Cake layers made with oil have this same effect once cooled. A butter-based cake can oftentimes be more firm when chilled and feel more dense, whereas an oil-based cake stays tender and moist.

How do you decorate a birthday cake?

A good buttercream frosting and lots of sprinkles is all you need to decorate the most festive birthday cake! For added flourish, make an extra half batch of buttercream and put it into a pastry bag or a zip-up plastic bag. Make a 1/2-inch cut across the tip and pipe dollops of frosting around the top and bottom edges of the cake. To add sprinkles around the bottom of the cake, place a sheet tray underneath the cake stand. Place a small amount in your hand and lift it up to press into the bottom of the cake where you want the sprinkles to stick. The sheet tray will catch all of the excess, for easy clean-up!

Butter, for greasing the pans

+ 2 tbsp. cocoa powder, divided

granulated sugar

all-purpose flour

kosher salt

baking soda

baking powder

large eggs, lightly beaten

vanilla extract

vegetable oil

buttermilk

hot (not boiling) water

Colorful sprinkles

sticks unsalted butter (1 1/4 cup), softened

kosher salt

powdered sugar, divided

vanilla extract

heavy cream

Tip: Cake layers can be made up to two days ahead. Wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.

Erin Merhar is a professionally trained chef, food stylist, and recipe developer. When she is not coming up with the next great dish for ThePioneerWoman.com, you can find her at the farmers' market or making pizza for friends.

These Father's Day Cupcakes Double as a Sweet Gift

Make a Father's Day Cake for Your Favorite Guy

15 Apple Cakes to Bake This Fall

Jello Cake Brings Retro Desserts Back in Style

Wake Up to Freshly-Baked Blueberry Buckle

This Flag Cake Has Stars, Stripes, and Sprinkles

14 Best Layered Cake Recipes for Any Occasion

You'll Want a Second Slice of Blueberry Cheesecake

25 Cupcakes to Bake for the 4th of July

The Easiest No-Bake Desserts to Try on Hot Days

Coconut Lovers Will Go Crazy for These Desserts

35 Lemon Desserts That Are Sweet and Tart