How-To Make Confetti Birthday Cake

**The Art of Making a Confetti Cake**

Creating a confetti cake is a fun and rewarding experience that can bring joy to people of all ages. With just a few simple steps, you can create a beautiful and delicious cake that's perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or just because.

To start, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Next, mix together 1 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with 1 cup of whole milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and smooth the tops.

Now it's time to create the cone shape for your cake. To do this, fold the parchment paper over twice, creating a cone shape, and then flip your pan upside down. Place the cone in the center of the parchment paper and mark where you want to cut. Use a knife or a pastry cutter to cut out three circles, one at each edge of the cone.

The key to making a great confetti cake is to add sprinkles before baking. To do this, simply spray the sprinkles onto the batter in an even layer. This will ensure that your cake is evenly coated with colorful sprinkles once it's baked and cooled.

Bake the cakes for 20-25 minutes, or until they're golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before removing them from the oven.

**The Buttercream Frosting**

While the cakes are baking, you can start making your buttercream frosting. This is a meringue-based frosting that's light and fluffy, with a sweet and subtle flavor. To make the frosting, whip 6 ounces of egg whites until stiff peaks form. Add 12 ounces of granulated sugar to the egg whites and continue whipping until stiff peaks form again.

Next, heat 18 ounces of softened butter in a saucepan over low heat until it's melted and smooth. Remove the butter from the heat and add it to the whipped egg whites, beating until fully incorporated. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the frosting, and beat until combined.

**Assembling the Cake**

Once your cakes are completely cool, you can start assembling the cake. Place one of the cooled cakes on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a layer of buttercream frosting over the top of the cake, using an offset spatula to create a smooth and even surface. Repeat with the second cake, creating another layer of frosting in between.

To add sprinkles to your cake, place them in a large bowl and hold your cake above it. Gently draw the sprinkles up the sides of the cake using a piping bag or a spoon. You can also add sprinkles to the top of the cake for extra color and fun.

**The Final Touches**

Finally, use an offset spatula to smooth out any gaps or unevenness in the frosting. You can also use this time to create a decorative border around the edge of the cake using frosting or sprinkles. To finish, add a few extra sprinkles on top of the cake for a festive touch.

And that's it! With these simple steps, you can create a beautiful and delicious confetti cake that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or just because, this cake is sure to bring a smile to everyone's face.