St Patricks Day Green Cake (Printable)

Vibrant green layered sponge with creamy vanilla frosting, ideal for festive celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake Components

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

→ Vanilla Frosting

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

# How to Make It:

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, approximately 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. Optionally tint a portion with green food coloring.
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. Decorate with green sprinkles or edible shamrocks.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The vibrant green layers never fail to get gasps and compliments before anyone even takes a bite
  • Buttermilk keeps the sponge incredibly tender while still sturdy enough for layering
  • The frosting is silky smooth and not tooth achingly sweet like bakery versions
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are non negotiable for achieving proper aeration during the creaming process
  • The cake layers are done when they spring back lightly to the touch and pull away slightly from the pan edges
  • Never frost warm cake layers or the frosting will melt and slide right off
03 -
  • Level your cake layers with a serrated knife if they domed during baking for easier stacking
  • Use an offset spatula held at a 45 degree angle for the smoothest frosting application

Go back