Simple Pisces Birthday Cake

Name: Simple Pisces Birthday Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 1 cake
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ cups granulated sugar; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup buttermilk; 3 large eggs; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon salt; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 4 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1-2 tablespoons milk (if needed for consistency)

Highlighted under: Classic Sweet Baking

I love creating special cakes for birthdays, and this Simple Pisces Birthday Cake is one of my favorites! It’s delightful to see the joy on my friends' faces when they taste it. I’ve perfected this recipe over the years to ensure it’s moist, flavorful, and easy to decorate with a whimsical Pisces theme. The combination of vanilla cake and cream cheese frosting is a crowd-pleaser, making it perfect for celebrating a special day. It’s a treat that satisfies both kids and adults alike, and I can’t wait for you to try it!

Created by

Summer Blake

Last updated on 2026-02-10T21:37:36.539Z

When I first made this Simple Pisces Birthday Cake, I wanted to create something that celebrated my friend’s zodiac sign. The vanilla cake is light and fluffy, and the cream cheese frosting adds a perfect tang. I found that including buttermilk in the batter made all the difference in texture—making the cake moist without being overly dense.

Over time, I’ve learned that letting the layers cool completely before frosting is key to getting that perfect finish. I also love adding little edible decorations on top to bring the Pisces theme to life. It’s these little personal touches that make every cake unique and special!

Why You'll Love This Cake
Fluffy vanilla cake that melts in your mouth
Creamy and tangy cream cheese frosting
Fun and easy to decorate any way you like

Understanding Your Ingredients

The quality of ingredients plays a significant role in the success of your Simple Pisces Birthday Cake. Opting for fresh, high-quality eggs and buttermilk enhances the moisture and flavor of your cake, giving it that melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you run out of buttermilk, a quick substitute can be made by mixing one cup of milk with one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice, allowing it to sit for about ten minutes before using. This will ensure your cake remains light and fluffy.

Another key player in this recipe is the cream cheese for the frosting. A full-fat cream cheese will yield the creamiest and most flavorful results, so it's worth splurging on the good stuff. If you're looking for a lighter alternative, you can use Neufchâtel cheese, which has less fat but still offers a creamy texture. Just keep in mind that the tangy flavor may be slightly more subdued.

Tips for Perfect Baking

When baking your cake layers, it's essential to keep an eye on the clock but also rely on visual cues. The cakes should be golden brown around the edges and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. To prevent overbaking, start checking for doneness a couple of minutes early. If you discover that the edges are browning too quickly, consider adding a cake strip around your pans to ensure even baking.

Cooling the cakes properly is just as important as baking them. Allowing the cake to rest in the pans for about ten minutes before transferring them to a wire rack provides a little time for the structure to set and makes them easier to handle. If you accidentally remove them too soon and they get stuck, a gentle twist and slight lift with a spatula should help free them without breaking.

Decoration and Serving Suggestions

Decorating your Simple Pisces Birthday Cake can be a delightful activity. Consider using a star tip for the frosting to create textured swirls on top that resemble waves, perfect for a Pisces theme. Edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles can add a magical touch as well, making the cake visually appealing. If you want to go a step further, crafting a small fondant Pisces symbol or a constellation design can elevate your theme even more.

For serving, slice the cake with a sharp knife dipped in hot water; this technique helps achieve cleaner cuts. Pairing this cake with fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can enhance the flavor experience. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days, and be sure to bring it back to room temperature before serving again for the best taste and texture.

Ingredients

Get ready to bake this delicious Simple Pisces Birthday Cake with the following ingredients:

Cake Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup buttermilk
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt

Frosting Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons milk (if needed for consistency)

Make sure to gather all these ingredients before you start baking!

Instructions

Follow these steps to create your Simple Pisces Birthday Cake:

Prepare the Oven and Cake Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined.

Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.

Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in the eggs one at a time, then add the buttermilk and vanilla extract, combining well.

Combine All Mixtures

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Bake the Cakes

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool the Cakes

Once baked, allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until creamy. Adjust consistency with milk if necessary.

Frost the Cake

Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving platter, spread frosting on top, then add the second layer and frost the top and sides of the cake.

Decorate

Add any fun decorations to celebrate the Pisces theme and serve with joy!

Enjoy your beautifully decorated cake and celebrate!

Pro Tips

For a more intense flavor, consider adding orange zest to the frosting or using food coloring to give it a fun look. Make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for the best texture in your frosting.

Make-ahead Options

This Simple Pisces Birthday Cake can be made ahead to streamline your celebratory preparations. You can bake and cool the cake layers up to two days in advance, wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and storing them in the refrigerator. Just remember to let them come to room temperature before frosting to prevent the cream cheese frosting from becoming too firm.

The frosting can also be prepared ahead of time and kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before using, and you may need to add a splash of milk to achieve your desired consistency. This way, on the day of the celebration, you're only a few steps away from a beautifully decorated cake.

Scaling the Recipe

If you're hosting a larger gathering, scaling this recipe is straightforward. You can double the ingredients easily to create a four-layer cake, which enhances the cake-to-frosting ratio—always a crowd-pleaser! Use 3-inch cake pans if you’re creating additional layers, but ensure to adjust baking time since thinner layers will cook faster, usually in about 20 minutes.

Conversely, if you only need a smaller cake, you can halve the ingredients to make a single-layer cake. Bake in an 8-inch round pan, and start checking for doneness a few minutes early. Just remember to adjust your frosting amounts accordingly, so every slice is as delightful and decorated as the original.

Questions About Recipes

→ Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, buttermilk can be substituted with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.

→ How long can this cake last?

The cake can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

→ Can I freeze the cake?

Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted layers for up to 3 months. Just make sure they are wrapped tightly.

→ What can I decorate the cake with?

You can use sprinkles, edible flowers, or themed decorations that match the Pisces zodiac.