Scrumptious Birthday Cherry Blossom Cake Recipe: A Must-Try for Any Occasion!

Ingredients for Making a Birthday Cherry Blossom Cake

To make a birthday cherry blossom cake, you will need the following ingredients:

For the cake:

– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 2 large eggs
– 1/2 cup whole milk
– 1/2 cup sour cream
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– Red and yellow food coloring

For the frosting:

– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 8 oz cream cheese, softened
– 4 cups powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream

For the decorations:

– Maraschino cherries
– Pink and white fondant

Step-by-Step Recipe for Making a Birthday Cherry Blossom Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the milk, sour cream, and vanilla extract.
5. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
6. Divide the batter into two bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl and yellow food coloring to the other, until the desired shade is achieved.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pans, alternating colors in each pan. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the colors together, creating a marbled effect.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pans before removing.
9. To make the frosting, beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then mix in the heavy cream to loosen the frosting to your desired consistency.
10. Once the cakes are cooled, use a serrated knife to level the tops. Place one cake layer on a cake plate or a cake turntable. Spread a thick layer of frosting on top.
11. Place the second cake layer on top and spread a thin layer of frosting on the sides and top of the cake. This is called a crumb coat, which will help seal in any loose crumbs and give you a smooth surface to work with.
12. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to set the crumb coat.
13. While the cake is chilling, roll out your fondant and cut out cherry blossom shapes using a cookie cutter or fondant mold. Use pink food coloring to dye some of the flowers and leave others white. Set aside.
14. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and frost the sides and top of the cake with a thick layer of frosting. Use a cake scraper or spatula to smooth out any ridges or bumps.
15. Arrange the cherry blossoms on top of the cake in a random pattern, pressing lightly to adhere them to the frosting. Place maraschino cherries in the center of each blossom.
16. Chill the cake in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Tips for Decorating a Birthday Cherry Blossom Cake

– Use a cake turntable to make frosting and decorating the cake easier.
– Use a cake scraper to get a smooth, even layer of frosting on the sides of the cake.
– To make sugar cherries, mix together a small amount of pink food coloring with sugar and roll into tiny balls. Use a toothpick to make a small indentation in each cherry and let dry.
– To make edible cherry blossoms, use a small flower cookie cutter or fondant mold to cut out shapes from white or pink fondant. Use a small round cutter to make a small indent in the center of each flower. Place a small ball of yellow fondant in the center and use a small brush to paint the tips of the petals with pink food coloring.

FAQs

Q: Can I make the cake batter in advance and refrigerate it overnight?
A: Yes, you can prepare the cake batter and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just make sure to bring it to room temperature before baking.

Q: Can I use a different type of frosting instead of cream cheese frosting?
A: Yes, you can use any frosting you prefer. However, cream cheese frosting pairs particularly well with the flavors of this cake.

Q: Can I use a different size cake pan?
A: Yes, you can use different size cake pans, but adjust the baking time accordingly.

Q: Can I use different food colorings to achieve different shades?
A: Yes, you can experiment with different food colorings to achieve the desired shade of your cake.

Q: Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
A: Yes, you can use fresh cherries, but make sure they are pitted and drained before using as a topping.