Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease one letter cake pan with baking spray and set aside.

Step 2

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the dry ingredients and mix on low-speed until well blended.

Step 3

Increase speed to medium-low and add the cubes of butter, one at a time mixing each one for a few seconds before adding the next. Mix until there are no large chunks.

Step 4

Add eggs, one at a time and mix well between each addition. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vanilla and almond extract. Increase mixer speed to medium and add in the wet ingredients in 3 parts, mixing until incorporated and scraping down the bowls after each addition. DO NOT over beat otherwise, you will end up with dense cakes.

Step 5

Divide batter into prepared pan, filling about ⅔ full. Bake cake until a toothpick inserted into the center come out clean, 17-20 minutes. Remove cake from oven and let cool in pan for at least 15 minutes. Invert onto a cooling rack and let cool completely.

Step 6

Repeat baking of second letter cake with remaining batter.

Step 7

Using a wire cake leveler, slice each letter cake into two equal halves (if you want a 4-layer cake).

Step 8

Pre-chill the bowl of your stand mixer and whisk in the freezer for 10 minutes. Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the chilled bowl. Whisk on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over whip the heavy cream.

Step 9

Working with one letter at a time, place one layer of the number onto a cake platter. Using a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip, pipe the whipped cream frosting over the cake in dollops. You can choose to evenly spread the frosting too.

Step 10

Place the second layer of the letter cake on top of frosting. Pipe some more frosting on top in dollops.

Step 11

Finally, decorate the cake with your desired toppings. I used sports themed fondant cut-outs. Remember to save an equal amount of decorations for your second letter if you are making a two lettered cake.

Step 12

Repeat the above steps for the other letter if you are making a double-digit lettered cake.