Description
This Number Cake recipe features a soft, moist cake layered with luscious cream cheese buttercream and adorned with an assortment of fresh fruits, candies, and edible decorations. Perfect for birthdays or special celebrations, this cake combines beautiful presentation with delicious flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 1 cup butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 eggs, room temperature
- 3 cups cake flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
- 16 oz full fat cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 8 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon or more whole milk or heavy whipping cream (as needed to reach desired consistency)
- Pinch of salt
Decorations
- Sliced strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Other fresh fruit of choice
- Macarons
- Amoretti cookies
- Candies
- Chocolate pieces
- Marshmallows
- Fresh edible flowers
- Fresh herbs
Instructions
- Prepare Cake Pans: If using silicone pans, spray with cooking spray or coat with butter. For metal pans, line the bottom with parchment paper strips to prevent sticking.
- Preheat Oven: Set oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) to preheat while preparing the batter.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar together for about 3 minutes until light and creamy.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Mix in vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar until incorporated.
- Add Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the bowl sides to ensure even mixing.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together cake flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Combine Dry Ingredients and Milk: On low mixer speed, add one-third of the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture and mix until nearly absorbed, then add half the milk and mix. Repeat by adding another third of flour, remaining milk, and finally the last third of flour, scraping sides each time to avoid overmixing.
- Fill Cake Pans: Use a large cookie scoop to drop batter into prepared pans and spread evenly with an offset spatula.
- Bake: Place pans in oven and bake for about 30 minutes, beginning to check at 20 minutes. The cake is done when golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let cakes cool completely in the pans on wire racks.
- Level Cakes: Use a large serrated knife to level the tops if needed for even stacking.
- Freeze Cake Layers: Cut the cake in half horizontally, place layers on parchment-lined sheet pan, and freeze for at least 30 minutes to firm up for easier assembly.
- Make Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until just combined, about 1 minute. Add powdered sugar gradually and beat on low speed, adding milk or heavy cream as needed to achieve stiff peak consistency. Add a pinch of salt to balance sweetness.
- Fill Pastry Bag: Transfer frosting to a large piping bag fitted with a large round tip for decorating.
- Assemble Cake: Place first cake layer on serving plate and pipe dollops of frosting evenly over the surface, holding the piping bag upright to create stiff peaks.
- Add Top Layer: Gently place the next cake layer on top, avoiding getting crumbs on the exposed frosting.
- Pipe Top Frosting Layer: Repeat piping dollops of frosting over the top surface.
- Decorate: Just before serving, adorn the cake with fresh berries, candies, macarons, cookies, chocolate pieces, marshmallows, edible flowers, and fresh herbs for a trendy and festive look.
Notes
- Room temperature ingredients help achieve a smooth batter and frosting.
- Do not overmix cake batter to maintain a tender crumb.
- Freezing cake layers before assembly makes it easier to pipe frosting and handle the cake without breaking.
- Use high-quality cream cheese and butter for the best flavor in frosting.
- Customize decoration to suit the occasion and personal taste.
- Ensure fresh flowers used are edible and pesticide-free.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking and assembly
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/16 of cake)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: number cake, cream cheese frosting, celebration cake, birthday cake, fruit decorated cake, layered cake, buttercream, vanilla cake
