Description
The Vintage Cake is a charming, old-fashioned style cake featuring delicate sponge layers, pastel buttercream piping, and ornate decorations like lace patterns, pearls, or rosettes. Whether flavored with vanilla, almond, or rosewater, this cake captures the elegance of bygone eras — perfect for birthdays, bridal showers, or stylish tea parties. Keywords: vintage cake, Victorian cake, pastel buttercream cake, old-fashioned celebration cake, rosette piping cake
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- For the Cake (Classic Vanilla or Almond):
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract (or almond extract for variation)
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- For the Vintage Buttercream:
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2–4 tbsp milk or cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring in pastel tones: pink, mint, lavender, pale blue
- Optional Decorations:
- Piped rosettes, ruffles, or shells using star tips
- Edible pearls or sugar lace
- Mini fondant bows or flowers
- Gold or silver leaf for added elegance
Instructions
- Bake the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two or three 6-inch or 8-inch round cake pans. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light. Add eggs and extract. Alternate adding flour and milk. Divide and bake for 30–35 minutes. Cool completely.
- Make the Buttercream: Beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, then milk and vanilla. Divide and tint portions in vintage pastels.
- Assemble and Decorate: Stack cake layers with a thin layer of frosting between each. Crumb coat and chill. Apply a smooth final coat and use piping tips to decorate with swirls, rosettes, ruffles, and borders in different pastel shades.
- Finish: Add pearls, lace accents, or vintage-style embellishments as desired.
Notes
- For extra vintage flair, flavor with rosewater or elderflower.
- Store in a cool place and serve at room temperature.
- Can be made a day ahead — decorations hold well when chilled.
- Details
Nutrition
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 47g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
