Reminiscent of box funfetti cake mix, this Momofuku Milk Bar Birthday Cake is made with layers of cake loaded with rainbow sprinkles, creamy vanilla cream cheese buttercream frosting, and crunchy cake crumbs.
Preheat oven to 350℉/180℃. Grease and line a quarter sheet pan (I used an 11x11-inch/27.5x27.5 cm pan) with parchment paper or silpat.
With a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, cream together butter, shortening, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar for 2-3 minutes on medium-high speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
Add eggs and beat on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl once more.
Turn the mixer on low speed. Stream in the buttermilk, grapeseed oil, and clear vanilla extract. Increase the speed to medium-high speed and paddle for 4-6 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and no streaks of fat or liquid remain. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Turn the mixer on low speed. Sift in the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the 50 gr rainbow sprinkles. Mix just until the batter comes together. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Using a spatula, spread the batter in an even layer. Sprinkle with the remaining 25 gr rainbow sprinkles evenly on top of the batter.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
Cool completely before assembling the cake.
Birthday Cake Crumb
Preheat oven to 300℉/150℃. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat.
With a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, add granulated, light brown sugar, and rainbow sprinkles. Sift in cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low heat until well combined.
Add grapeseed oil and clear vanilla extract. Mix until small clusters form.
Pour the crumb n the prepared pan. Use your hands to make larger lumps.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Birthday Cake Frosting
With a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, cream together butter, shortening, and cream cheese for 2-3 minutes on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
Add glucose, corn syrup, and clear vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes until smooth and glossy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Sift in confectioners' sugar and salt. Add baking powder and citric acid. Mix on low speed just to incorporate them into the batter. Turn the speed on medium-high and beat for 2-3 minutes until white and smooth.
Birthday Cake Soak
In a small bowl, combine milk and vanilla extract until well combined.
Assemble the Cake
Place a parchment paper or silpat onto the counter. Invert cake onto it. Peel off the parchment/silpat from the bottom of the cake.
Use the cake ring to stamp out 2 circles. These will be your middle and top layers. The remaining cake scrap will come together to make the bottom layer of the cake. (*see Video for visual guide)
Clean the cake ring. Place onto a cake board or a pan lined with parchment or silpat. Line the inside with 1 strip of acetate.
Put the cake scraps together inside the ring and use the back of your hand to tamp the scraps together into a flat even layer.
Dip a pastry brush into the soak and brush onto the cake layer.
Using the back of a bent spoon or ladle, spread 1/5 of the frosting in an even layer over the cake. Sprinkle 1/3 of the crumb over the frosting. Spread 1/5 of the frosting over the crumble into an even layer.
Tuck the second strip of acetate between the cake ring and the top 1/4-inch of the first strip of acetate, so that you have a clear ring of acetate 5 to 6-inches tall.
Set a cake round on top of the frosting, and repeat the process of step 5 and 6 for the second layer.
Place the remaining cake round onto the frosting. Cover the top with the remaining 1/5 frosting. Use an offset spatula to flatten the frosting or make swirls with the back of a spoon.
Top with the remaining crumb.
Transfer the cake to the freeze and freeze for a minimum of 12 hours.
At least 3 hours before serving, remove the cake from the freezer. Remove the cake ring. Transfer the cake to a platter or cake stand. Let it defrost in the fridge. Peel off the acetate before serving.
Notes
Adapted from Milk Bar Birthday Cake recipe.I made 1.5x original frosting recipe because the amount in the original recipe was way too little.I do not recommend making the cake in one day. Make the components at least 2-3 days in advance, following this:
Day 1. Make the birthday cake & crumb.
Day 2. Make the birthday cake frosting & cake soak. Assemble and freeze the cake.
Day 3. Defrost the cake. Serve.
Storage:
The cooled birthday cake can be stored in the fridge, wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to 4 days.
The crumbs can be stored in an airtight container for 1 week at room temperature or 1 month in the fridge or freezer.
Store the frosting in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
The assembled cake will last in the freezer for up to 2 weeks or 5 days in the refrigerator, wrapped well in plastic.