Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup pink champagne
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pink food coloring (optional)
Frosting Ingredients
- Cream cheese or buttercream frosting ingredients (e.g., cream cheese, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Pans and Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease two 8-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal. Measure all ingredients carefully before starting.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution and prevent clumps.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or handheld beaters, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light, fluffy, and pale in color, about 3 to 5 minutes, incorporating air for tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to keep the batter smooth. Then add the vanilla extract to deepen the flavor.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Liquid: Alternate adding the dry ingredients and a mixture of pink champagne and buttermilk in three parts, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently after each addition to avoid overworking.
- Optional Pink Coloring: Add a few drops of pink food coloring if a more vibrant pink hue is desired. Fold it in gently to maintain batter lightness.
- Bake: Divide the batter equally between the prepared pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
- Prepare Frosting: While the cakes cool, beat together cream cheese or buttercream frosting ingredients until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread a generous layer of frosting on top, then place the second layer and frost the entire cake smoothly. Decorate as desired with sprinkles, edible glitter, or fresh berries.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients (butter, eggs, buttermilk) for better mixing and texture.
- Measure flour properly by spooning into the measuring cup and leveling off to avoid dense cake layers.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the crumb soft and tender.
- Use real pink champagne for authentic flavor; sparkling grape juice can be a good non-alcoholic alternative.
- Brush cake layers with champagne syrup before frosting to keep the cake extra moist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 to 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Option for Gluten Free (with gluten-free flour blend)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10th of cake)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Pink Champagne Cake, celebration cake, birthday cake, bridal shower dessert, moist cake, champagne infused cake