The Best Spring Cake
Nothing says celebration quite like a beautifully decorated spring cake, and this three-tier cake will steal the show on any special occasion.
Whether planning a birthday bash, bridal shower, or wedding reception, this elegant spring cake adorned with delicate buttercream flowers and delicious confection will leave your guests in awe.
![A tall, layered cake with pink and white floral frosting designs, displayed on a pink cake stand outdoors.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-20-768x1024.jpg)
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How to Make a Three-Tier Spring Cake with Buttercream Flowers
![A tall, frosted cake with pink floral decorations, displayed on a cake stand beside a window overlooking greenery.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-17-745x1024.jpg)
Many of you are likely unaware I was a full-time artist for six years. I painted traditional oil seascapes, still lives, and large acrylic abstract paintings.
And I painted every single canvas with a palette knife.
I did not use a brush.
Ever.
This might help explain why I decorated this spring cake with a palette knife.
I promise I used buttercream frosting and not paint.
Making the Three-Tiered Spring Cake
Here are the step-by-step instructions for baking, assembling the cake, and creating stunning buttercream flowers using a palette knife.
Part 1: Baking the Cake Layers
![A stainless steel bowl containing creamy cake batter on a wooden surface.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-Batter-768x1024.jpg)
![Two round cake pans filled with uncooked cake batter on a wooden table.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-Batter--768x1024.jpg)
Once you have divided the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans, smooth the tops with a spatula.
![Two freshly baked cakes in round metal pans on a kitchen counter, illuminated by natural sunlight.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-2-1024x768.jpg)
After they have cooked, you must cut the tops off if they have risen too high.
![Two freshly baked round cakes on a cooling rack, one being sliced by a knife.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-3-768x1024.jpg)
The Best Spring Cake
![A tall, multi-layered cake with blush and orange floral frosting designs on a pink cake stand, displayed near a window with natural light.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-23-735x980.jpg)
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Three 6" cake pans (if you only have two, just bake the third pan separately)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 6-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients and mix quickly until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until well combined.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing on medium speed until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
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Part 2: Making Buttercream Frosting
Making the buttercream frosting is easy. Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold the shape of a flower petal. If it’s not, add more powdered sugar.
Divide the frosting into small bowls and add the gel coloring to match the flowers you want to create.
Buttercream Frosting
![Close-up of a cake with pastel pink and green floral frosting designs.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-10-735x980.jpg)
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream, milk, or coconut milk
- Gel food coloring
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter on medium speed until creamy and smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until well incorporated.
- Add the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk, then beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add more cream or milk as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- If desired, divide the frosting into smaller bowls and tint each portion with gel food coloring to create different shades for decorating.
Part 3: Assembling and Decorating the Cake
Chill the cake layers until they are ready to frost.
![Top view of a person frosting a cake with creamy white icing, with bowls of pink and white frosting on a wooden table.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-7-768x1024.jpg)
Here is what you will need to assemble and decorate the cake.
- Chilled cake layers
- Buttercream frosting
- Offset spatula
- Palette knife
- Piping bags and tips (optional)
Instructions:
![Top view of frosting a cake with creamy pink white icing, with pink and orange gel coloring.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-6-769x1024.jpg)
![Top view of a person frosting a cake with creamy white icing, with bowls of pink and white frosting on a wooden table.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-4-768x1024.jpg)
Mix the desired colors of the frosting.
Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Using a spatula, spread a layer of buttercream frosting evenly over the top.
Repeat with the remaining cake layers, stacking them on top of each other and spreading frosting between each layer.
![A partially frosted tiered cake on a white stand, with a bowl of frosting visible in the background.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-33-768x1024.jpg)
Once all the layers are stacked, use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake, using the spatula to create a smooth and even finish. Cool in the refrigerator for at least thirty minutes.
![Leaves-shaped white frosting and two cake decorating tools, a palette knife and a sculpting tool, on a marble surface.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-35-780x1024.jpg)
To create buttercream flowers, dip a clean palette knife into a small amount of colored frosting. Place the palette knife at a 45-degree angle against the cake and gently fan the frosting to create a petal shape.
I practiced on parchment paper first.
Using the larger palette knife, place the mid-color frosting on the knife. Lay it almost flat against the cake and press gently in a fan pattern. Repeat this three times per flower. Return with the darker color and repeat the same motion in the center of each petal.
Leave a space in the center as you will add brown frosting later.
![A close-up of a cake with large smudges of pink icing on a white frosting background, displayed on a cake stand.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-32-768x1024.jpg)
Repeat this process to create multiple petals, overlapping them slightly to form a flower.
![A tall cake with textured white and pink frosting and painted flowers, displayed outdoors.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-41-768x1024.jpg)
Continue decorating the cake with buttercream flowers, varying the colors and sizes as desired. Add green leaves and brown pods in the center of each flower with a smaller knife.
![A tall, multi-layer cake adorned with pink buttercream and peach-colored floral decorations, displayed on a pink cake stand in a sunny kitchen.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-13-768x1024.jpg)
Once decorated, refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set before serving.
![A tall, multilayered cake with pink and brown frosting, decorated with flowers, displayed on a pink cake stand on top of stacked books, in front of a window overlooking a garden.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-14-831x1024.jpg)
My Favorite Cake Stands
![](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/collect-cake-stands-1536x960-1-1024x640.jpg)
One of the best ways to display a cake is with a cake stand. Over the years, I have collected many cake stands, and I am pleased to say I use them to display more than just cakes!
![A tall, multi-layered cake with pink and white frosting flowers on a pink cake stand, surrounded by scattered petals on a wooden table outdoors.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-42-768x1024.jpg)
With its three tiers of moist cake and whimsical buttercream flowers, this spring cake is as delicious as beautiful.
Whether celebrating a special milestone or simply indulging in a sweet treat, this cake will surely impress. So grab your ingredients and prepare to bake, decorate, and delight with this stunning creation!
All of My Favorite Cake Stands!
![](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/My-Favorite-Cake-Stands-1-819x1024.jpg)
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![A tall, layered spring cake adorned with pink and green floral frosting, displayed outdoors with a caption "the best spring cake" below it.](https://my100yearoldhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Best-Spring-Cake-1-1-683x1024.jpg)
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This is just too pretty to eat!!! My attempt would likely look like a hot mess!
It’s so much more doable than you would think! ☺️