Build a Birthday Layer Cake

Bake yellow cake layers, stack them with buttercream and decorate a birthday cake from the first crumb to the last candle.

Bake one of these

• 
  Rising Chefs

  Classic Yellow Cake Layers

• 
  Rising Chefs

  Vanilla Buttercream

What you need

• Round cake pans, the number and size the recipe says, lined with parchment paper (nonstick baking paper)
• A cooling rack
• An offset spatula (a flat spreader with a bend near the handle)
• A cake plate or board
• Sprinkles and candles
• The Baker's Certificate printable

Steps

1. Bake the layersWash your hands first and check every ingredient with your grown-up. Make the batter, divide it evenly between the pans and let your grown-up bake them. No tasting the raw batter. Wash your hands again after you touch raw egg.
2. Cool completelyYour grown-up takes the hot pans out of the oven and turns the layers out onto the cooling rack when the recipe says. Cool the layers all the way through, which takes a couple of hours. Warm cake crumbles and melts frosting.
3. Level and mixIf the tops are domed, your grown-up trims them flat with a sharp knife so the layers stack straight. Your grown-up runs the electric mixer to make the buttercream, a fluffy butter and sugar frosting. Add ingredients only while the mixer is off, and keep fingers, hair and spoons away from the beaters.
4. StackDab buttercream on the plate to hold the cake still and set down the first layer. Spread a thick, even layer of buttercream on top, then add the next layer. The top layer goes flat side up.
5. Crumb coatSpread a thin layer of buttercream all over to trap loose crumbs. This is called a crumb coat. Chill the cake for 20 minutes so it firms up.
6. DecorateSpread a thicker coat over the top and sides with the offset spatula. Add sprinkles and candles. When it is time to sing, only your grown-up lights the candles, and everyone keeps hair and sleeves back from the flames. Then ask your grown-up to fill in and sign your Baker's Certificate.

Make it yours

• Tint the middle filling a surprise color
• Pipe the birthday person's initial on top
• Press sprinkles around the bottom edge

Print the Baker's Certificate