Description
Delight in these Birthday Cake Cookies featuring a tender, buttery base with a subtle cake flour texture, topped with creamy cream cheese frosting and festive confetti crumbs. Perfect for celebrations or anytime you crave a sweet, nostalgic treat inspired by classic birthday cake flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg white
- ½ teaspoon clear vanilla extract (may substitute regular vanilla extract)
- 3 ¼ cups (375 g) cake flour
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon table salt
Frosting
- 4 Tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter softened
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese softened (use full-fat “brick-style” cream cheese)
- 2 ½ cups (315 g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon clear vanilla extract (may substitute regular vanilla extract)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 batch confetti crumbs
Instructions
- Make the cookie dough: Combine softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat until the mixture is light, creamy, and well combined. Add egg, egg white, and vanilla extract, and mix until fully incorporated.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together cake flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Form the dough into a 1-inch thick disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Roll and cut dough: Remove dough from refrigerator and place on a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll dough to between ¼ and ½ inch (about 1 cm) thickness. Use a 2-inch round cookie cutter to cut out cookies as close as possible, and place them onto the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the frosting: Using an electric mixer, beat together softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy without lumps. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until fully combined. Stir in vanilla extract and salt.
- Decorate cookies: Once cookies are completely cooled, pipe or spread frosting on top using a ½-inch open tip for piping if desired. Immediately top with confetti crumbs or sprinkles for a festive finish.
Notes
- Clear vanilla extract: This imitation vanilla provides a cake batter flavor and is best for recreating birthday cake taste. You can substitute regular vanilla extract if preferred.
- Handling sticky dough: If the dough is too sticky to roll, chill it longer or dust with flour. If cracking occurs, let dough warm slightly before rolling again.
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They can also be wrapped well and frozen for several months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
