Go Back
vintage cake

vintage cake

A beautifully decorated vintage-style cake with intricate piping, elegant pastel colors, and a soft, moist sponge. Perfect for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or weddings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
cooling & decorating 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, European
Servings 11

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls –
  • Electric mixer
  • Round cake pans (8-inch or 9-inch)
  • Cooling rack
  • Offset spatula
  • Piping bags & decorative tips
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

For the Cake:

  • 2 ¾ cups cake flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 ¼ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk

For the Buttercream Frosting:

  • 1 ½ cups unsalted butter softened
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Food coloring pastel pink, blue, or lilac for vintage look

For Decoration:

  • Pearl sprinkles
  • Edible gold or silver leaf
  • Edible sugar flowers
  • Decorative piping designs

Instructions
 

Prepare the Cake Batter:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans.
  • In a bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
  • Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing until just combined.

Bake the Cake:

  • Divide batter evenly into the cake pans.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Make the Frosting:

  • Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar.
  • Add heavy cream and vanilla, mixing until light and fluffy.
  • Divide frosting into separate bowls and add pastel food coloring for vintage shades.

Assemble the Cake:

  • Place one cake layer on a plate, spread frosting evenly.
  • Add the second layer and frost the entire cake smoothly.

Decorate:

  • Use a piping bag with star and shell tips to create intricate vintage patterns.
  • Pipe elegant swirls, scalloped edges, and ruffles.
  • Add pearl sprinkles, sugar flowers, and edible gold/silver leaf for a retro touch.

Chill & Serve:

  • Let the cake set in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Use pastel shades like pink, mint, or lavender for an authentic vintage aesthetic.
  • Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • If you prefer a lighter cake, use a chiffon or sponge cake base.
Keyword Birthday Cake, elegant cake, retro cake, Vintage cake