St. Patricks Day Green Cake (Printable View)

Festive green sponge cake layered with creamy vanilla frosting, perfect for St. Patricks Day celebrations.

# What You Need:

→ Cake Components

01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour (310 g)
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (225 g)
06 - 1¾ cups granulated sugar (350 g)
07 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature (240 ml)
09 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
10 - ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
11 - Green gel food coloring

→ Vanilla Frosting

12 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (225 g)
13 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted (480 g)
14 - ¼ cup whole milk or heavy cream (60 ml)
15 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
16 - Pinch of salt
17 - Green sprinkles or edible shamrock decorations (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla and almond extract.
05 - Gradually add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
06 - Add green food coloring and mix until the batter reaches your desired shade of green.
07 - Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
08 - Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
09 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low speed. Add milk, vanilla, and salt; beat on high until fluffy and smooth.
10 - Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with frosting, then top with the next layer; repeat. Frost the top and sides of the cake.
11 - Decorate with green sprinkles or edible shamrocks.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The vanilla almond flavor combination hits different when its wrapped in such playful colors
  • Buttermilk keeps the sponge incredibly tender even after sitting out for hours
  • People literally gasp when you slice into those vibrant green layers
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are not optional here, cold butter creates lumpy batter that won't rise properly
  • Gel food coloring is much more potent than liquid, add it gradually and remember it darkens slightly while baking
  • Let the cakes cool completely before frosting or the butter will melt and slide right off the sides
03 -
  • Weigh your flour if possible, measuring by volume can easily give you 20% too much flour
  • Rotate the pans halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots
  • Chill the frosted cake for 15 minutes before slicing to get the cleanest layers

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