If you can believe it, I had never tried to make an honest-to-goodness einkorn birthday cake. That is, until my son decided he would turn one (he didn’t ask me if it was ok!).
Oh sure, I’ve made many cakes like this $4 chocolate cake I made for my husband’s birthday.
But even without birthday cake experience, I plunged forward and tried it… and the results were amazing! Here are the step by step instructions for how to make your own Einkorn birthday cake! A light and fluffy white cake with homemade butter cream icing.
Reading over this recipe, you may think it seems a little overly complicated or finicky. It’s honestly not. It may be a little different from other cake recipes you’ve tried, but trust me… it’s worth it!
Because the thing about Einkorn is that it just doesn’t act the same way that regular flours do, which is a really good thing! Read about why I love (and exclusively use) Einkorn Flour here.
Best Recipes for Getting Started with Einkorn Flour
Einkorn Birthday Cake
This recipes makes a reasonably sized cake, but don’t be afraid that it won’t feed your crowd. My family is the biggest bunch of cake eaters you can imagine, and there was still plenty left over after the 15 adults had eaten a slice!
It’s so rich that even we had a hard time finishing the slices we originally thought were small!
Of course, it was so delicious that we persevered and managed to take down the beast 🙂
This is how much was left after all the adults (and 3 kiddos) had eaten their fill!
(Love my wooden cake stand? Get yours here!)
Even as rich as it was… when it was gone, we were all sad and immediately started looking forward to the next birthday. 😉
Einkorn Birthday Cake with Buttercream Icing
Ingredients
For Cake
- 4 cups Einkorn flour
- 2 sticks room temperature butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk I use raw
- 3 egg whites whipped to stiff peaks
For Icing
- 3 sticks of butter room temperature
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup of milk again, I use raw
- dash of salt
Instructions
For Cake
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Butter two tall, straight-sided cake pans. I used 8 inch pans, but you could use 9 inch or even a square or rectangular pan… just make sure it has high sides!
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Once your pans are buttered, dust with flour. Be sure to remove the excess flour!
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In your mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. I creamed the butter alone until very smooth before adding the sugar, then beat on med-high for another 5 minutes.
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Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well until each is incorporated.
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Add the vanilla extract to the milk.
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Alternating between the dry ingredients and the wet ones, add to the butter and sugar. Mix until combined after each addition. Beginning and ending with the dry mix works best!
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Using a spatula (not your mixer), gently fold in the egg whites. Stop when the egg whites are combined, but not completely incorporated.
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Pour the batter evenly into your pans. Bang the cake firmly on the counter (keep pan flat) to make sure there are no air pockets.
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Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick cake comes out clean.
For Icing
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Place butter in mixer and whip until smooth.
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Slowly add sugar - about a half cup at a time. Scrap down the sides often. Mix until all is well combined.
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Slowly add milk.
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Add vanilla and salt.
Recipe Notes
Make sure that cakes are cool before icing.
$4 Einkorn Chocolate Cake
Zona says
Can you cut this recipe in half and make cupcakes?? Looks delicious!!
Victoria says
I don’t see why not! Sounds delicious!
December says
Looks amazing! Gonna see if I can try and adjust the recipe for the addition of pumpkin for my son’s 2nd bday – he’s an October baby so the pumpkin theme is a good one. Might play around with a few kinds including replacing some of the sugar with maple syrup. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Victoria says
Sounds delish!! Let me know how it turns out, I’d love to have a pumpkin cake recipe on the site… in fact, I may just have to start experimenting!
Megan says
Sorry for the dumb question, but…this is whole grain einkorn right? I’ll be making it for my son’s 10th birthday tomorrow!
Victoria says
Hi Megan! No dumb questions here 🙂
This uses all purpose einkorn, but if you use home ground einkorn, just adjust the liquid (you might need more milk) to make it the right cake batter consistency.
Enjoy, and happy birthday to your son! ❤
Andrea says
I made this cake for my husband’s birthday, he loved it! I split the batter to make 2 tiers. Great recipe!
Victoria says
Fabulous Andrea!! Thank you for letting me know that y’all loved it!! ❤❤❤
Korrie says
I halved this recipe, put it in two 9″ cake pans and made a thinner version. Baked up just great!
Victoria says
Awesome Korrie!! That’s a great idea, the recipe is VERY rich! Did you do the buttercream icing as well, or a different one? I’m glad it worked out so well!