If you’re looking for a delightful and charming treat to brighten any occasion, this Pink Vanilla Cake Squares Recipe is your new best friend. These squares boast a tender, moist vanilla flavor enhanced by a luscious pink frosting that is as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfectly balanced and irresistibly sweet, these cake squares bring a lovely pop of color and a burst of classic flavor that everyone will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Pink Vanilla Cake Squares Recipe starts with simple, reliable ingredients that come together to create a soft cake with a smooth, creamy frosting. Each ingredient plays a crucial role—from the tender crumb of the cake to the luscious texture and pretty pink hue of the frosting.
- All-purpose flour (2 ½ cups): Provides the structure for the cake, ensuring it holds its shape perfectly when cut into squares.
- Baking powder (2 ½ tsp): Helps the cake rise beautifully and become light and fluffy.
- Salt (½ tsp): Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup for cake, 1 cup for frosting): Adds richness and buttery smoothness to both the cake and frosting.
- Granulated sugar (2 cups): Sweetens the cake and contributes to a delicate crumb.
- Large eggs (4): Bind the ingredients and contribute to the cake’s moisture and texture.
- Vanilla extract (1 tbsp for cake, 1 tsp for frosting): Infuses the cake and frosting with warm, comforting vanilla flavor.
- Whole milk (1 cup): Keeps the cake tender and moist.
- Powdered sugar (4 cups): Used in the frosting for a smooth, creamy sweetness.
- Heavy cream (3 tbsp): Lightens the frosting and adds a velvety texture.
- Pink food coloring: Creates the unmistakably pretty pink frosting that makes these squares so special.
How to Make Pink Vanilla Cake Squares Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper to ensure your cake squares pop right out without any hassle after baking.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. This combination ensures even distribution of the leavening agent, helping your cake rise evenly.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy. This step is crucial for a cake that’s light and tender.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract, which will infuse delightful warmth into every bite.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients and Milk
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. This helps avoid lumps and ensures the batter is smooth and fully combined.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before moving on.
Step 7: Prepare the Pink Frosting
Beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well for a smooth consistency. Add heavy cream and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy. Finally, mix in pink food coloring, adjusting the shade to your liking.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate the Cake Squares
Slice the cooled cake into 12 equal squares, then spread or pipe a generous layer of pink frosting on each. Add sugar pearls and heart-shaped sprinkles for a charming, elegant finish.
How to Serve Pink Vanilla Cake Squares Recipe
Garnishes
Give your Pink Vanilla Cake Squares Recipe a personal touch by garnishing with delicate sugar pearls in soft colors or tiny heart-shaped sprinkles. These simple accents instantly elevate the presentation and add a playful sparkle that’s perfect for celebrations.
Side Dishes
Pair these cake squares with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of chilled milk to balance the sweetness. For a more indulgent offering, serve alongside fresh berries or a light fruit salad to add freshness and contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or special occasions, arrange the cake squares neatly on a white platter to let their pink hue pop. Use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to create elegant frosting swirls that make each piece look professionally crafted. Wrapping individual squares in decorative parchment or cellophane also makes for charming, gift-ready treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Pink Vanilla Cake Squares Recipe can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Keeping them covered prevents the cake from drying out while preserving that soft texture and fluffy frosting.
Freezing
If you want to prepare in advance, you can freeze unfrosted cake squares wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting.
Reheating
Reheating these cake squares is simple. Just warm a slice gently in the microwave for about 10 seconds to bring back some softness without melting the frosting. This little trick makes every bite just as delightful as freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use different food coloring for the frosting?
Absolutely! While this Pink Vanilla Cake Squares Recipe features a lovely pink frosting, you can easily customize the color to suit your occasion or mood. Just add a few drops of your favorite food coloring until you achieve the desired hue.
Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, but be sure to choose one designed for baking to maintain the cake’s texture. Adjustments might be needed to the liquid or baking times, so keep an eye on the cake as it bakes.
How do I get a smooth frosting for piping?
Beat the butter and powdered sugar thoroughly until the mixture is very smooth and fluffy. Adding the heavy cream gradually helps achieve the right consistency for piping. If frosting is too stiff, add a tiny bit more cream, but be careful not to make it too runny.
Can I bake this recipe in a different pan size?
You can use other pan sizes, but baking times may vary. For smaller pans, the batter will be thicker, so increase baking time slightly and check with a toothpick. For larger pans, reduce baking time as the cake will be thinner.
What is the best way to cut neat squares?
Let the cake cool completely before cutting. Use a sharp knife, and for extra neat edges, wipe the knife clean between each cut. Chilling the cake briefly in the fridge can also help make cutting easier and less crumbly.
Final Thoughts
This Pink Vanilla Cake Squares Recipe is one of those joyful desserts that brings smiles and sweet moments to any gathering. Its simple ingredients combined with a beautiful pink frosting make it perfect for birthdays, showers, or an everyday treat when you want to add a little color to your life. I can’t wait for you to bake a batch and experience just how delightful and charming these squares can be!
Print
Pink Vanilla Cake Squares Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Pink Vanilla Cake Squares are a delightful and visually stunning treat perfect for any celebration. Moist vanilla cake layers are baked to perfection and topped with a creamy, fluffy pink vanilla frosting. Decorated with sugar pearls and heart-shaped sprinkles, these squares are as charming as they are delicious, guaranteed to impress your guests with their elegance and sweetness.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pink food coloring, to desired shade
- Sugar pearls and heart-shaped sprinkles, for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cake.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to combine evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, thoroughly mixing after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the whole milk. Mix until all ingredients are just combined, avoiding over-mixing to keep the cake tender.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is done.
- Cool the Cake: Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing and slicing it into squares to prevent crumbling.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing continuously to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Add Cream, Vanilla, and Coloring: Incorporate the heavy cream and vanilla extract into the frosting, then beat until fluffy. Mix in pink food coloring until you reach the desired shade of pink.
- Decorate the Cake Squares: Spread or pipe a generous layer of the pink vanilla frosting over each cooled cake square. Use sugar pearls in varying sizes and heart-shaped sprinkles to decorate and add elegance and charm.
- Create Texture with Piping (Optional): For extra texture and a professional finish, use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to create swirls or patterns on top of each frosted square.
- Presentation: Arrange the decorated cake squares neatly on a white serving platter for a clean and inviting display, perfect for parties or special occasions.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- You can adjust the amount of pink food coloring depending on your preferred shade.
- For a lighter frosting, adjust the heavy cream quantity slightly, but don’t add too much or it will become runny.
- Sugar pearls and heart-shaped sprinkles can be found at specialty baking stores or online.
- Make sure to use room temperature butter for both cake and frosting for better texture.
- Store leftover cake squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
