Name: The Best Spring Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 8
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)

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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.

Order my book, A HOME to SHARE, here!

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.

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.

Two round cake pans filled with uncooked cake batter on a wooden table.

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.

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.

Yield: 8 servings

The Best Spring Cake

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Additional Time 45 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

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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KitchenAid Artisan 3.5 Quart Stand Mixer

Wilton Aluminum 6-Inch Round Cake Pan Set, 4-Piece

Wilton Small and Tall Aluminum 2 x 6-inch Layer Cake Pan Set, 2- Piece

Pyrex Glass Measuring Cup, Set of 3

3-Piece Large Colorful Serving Bowls

Copper Measuring Cups and Spoons

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.

Yield: one three layer cake

Buttercream Frosting

Prep Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

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.

Wilton Cake Decorating Supplies Kit

Icing Spatulas, Set of 3

Cuisinart Hand Mixer, White

10 Nested Glass Mixing Bowls

Basic Six Kit Soft Gel Paste Food Color

Wilton Pastel 4-Piece Icing Color Set

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cake Cream Spatula 5 Pieces/Set Stainless Steel

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.

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.

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.

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.

My Favorite Cake Stands

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!

Pink Mosser Glass 6″ Cake Stand

Milk White 6″ Mosser Glass Cake Stand

Mosser Glass Grey 6″ Cake Stand

Glass Cake Stand: Clear Glass Cake Stand

Cake Plate – Inverted Thistle – Mosser Glass – USA – Small (Pink)

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.

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!