Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C. Line three 4-inch or two 6-inch round pans with parchment rounds and grease with non-stick baking spray. This recipe turns out best with light-colored metal pans - preferably aluminum!

Step 2

This recipe can be made by hand with a whisk or with a hand mixer. I prefer making it with a whisk.

Step 3

In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.

Step 4

Add 1/4 cup of melted butter, 1/4 cup oil, and 1 egg into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined. The batter will be thick.

Step 5

Then mix in 1/2 cup buttermilk and 1 tsp vanilla extract until combined. Whisk the batter together for an additional 30 seconds to make sure everything is properly combined. This will also help lighten up the texture of the cake layers.

Step 6

If desired, add in gel food coloring. Mix the color in by hand using a rubber spatula, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl part way through.

Step 7

Divide batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 32-35 minutes on the middle rack of the oven, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Allow the pans to cool for 10 minutes, then run an offset spatula around the perimeter of the pan to separate the cake from the pan.

Step 8

Place cake layers into the freezer for 20 minutes to accelerate the cooling process. Once the layers are fully cooled, carefully flip the pans and remove the layers from the pans.

Step 9

Use a serrated knife to level the tops of the layers, then set aside. If you're making these in advance, wrap and freeze them at this point.

Step 10

While the cake layers bake and cool, make the vanilla buttercream frosting. Beat 3/4 cup butter on medium speed for 30 seconds with either a hand mixer or a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment.

Step 11

Mix in 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste and 1/4 tsp salt on a low speed.

Step 12

Gradually mix in 3 cups of powdered sugar and 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp of heavy cream. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula to make sure everything is properly mixed together.

Step 13

Continue to mix on low speed for a few minutes, until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 14

If the frosting seems too thick, add additional cream (1 tsp at a time). If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar (a quarter of a cup at a time).

Step 15

If you want to color the buttercream, add in the gel food coloring once the frosting is fully made, and beat on low until it's evenly colored.

Step 16

Stack and frost cake layers on a small plate or cake stand using a dab of frosting to help stick the first cake layer in place.

Step 17

Add an even layer of buttercream between each cake layer with a large offset spatula.

Step 18

Add a thin coat of frosting around the cake that fully covers the cake layers. Smooth using a bench scraper, then chill the cake in the fridge (20 minutes) or freezer (5 minutes) until the frosting is firm to the touch.

Step 19

Add a second, thicker layer of frosting to the cake, and smooth using a bench scraper. If you're struggling to get smooth sides on your cake, I share all my tips and tricks in this smooth cake tutorial.

Step 20

Then decorate as desired! I used a Wilton 1M frosting tip to pipe some fun swirls on top of the cake and topped then with nonpareil sprinkles.