St. Patricks Day Green Cake (Printable Version)
Vibrant green layered sponge with creamy vanilla frosting, perfect for festive celebrations.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake Components
01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1¾ cups granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
09 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
10 - ½ teaspoon almond extract
11 - Green gel food coloring
→ Vanilla Frosting
12 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - ¼ cup whole milk or heavy cream
15 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
16 - Pinch of salt
17 - Green sprinkles or edible shamrock decorations
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease three 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
05 - Gradually add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with buttermilk. Begin and end with flour mixture.
06 - Incorporate green food coloring and mix until batter reaches desired shade.
07 - Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
08 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
09 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar on low speed. Add milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat on high until fluffy and smooth.
10 - Tint portion of frosting with green food coloring if desired for decorative accents.
11 - Place first cake layer on serving plate. Spread with frosting, add next layer, and repeat. Frost top and sides evenly.
12 - Decorate with green sprinkles or edible shamrocks as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The moist buttermilk sponge stays fresh for days, making it perfect for make ahead celebrations
- That lush vanilla buttercream balances the festive fun with genuine, serious deliciousness
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients are not optional, they determine whether your cake is tender or tough
- Food coloring deepens as bakes, so aim for slightly darker than your target shade
03 -
- Weigh your flour if possible, 310 grams is more reliable than 2½ cups that can vary wildly
- Freeze unfrosted layers wrapped tightly for up to three months, thawing overnight before frosting