Pickle Buttercream Birthday Cake (Printable)

Vanilla cake with tangy pickle buttercream and lemon zest creates a playful, whimsical dessert surprise.

# Components:

→ For the Cake

01 - 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
02 - 2 ½ tsp baking powder
03 - ½ tsp baking soda
04 - ½ tsp salt
05 - 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
06 - 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 tbsp vanilla extract
09 - 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, room temperature

→ For the Pickle Buttercream

10 - 1 ½ cups (340 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
11 - 5 cups (600 g) powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 4 tbsp pickle juice (from dill pickles)
13 - 1 tbsp finely minced dill pickles
14 - 1 tsp lemon zest
15 - Pinch of salt
16 - 1–2 tbsp whole milk (as needed, for consistency)
17 - Green food coloring (optional)

→ For Garnish (Optional)

18 - Thinly sliced dill pickles
19 - Sprinkles or edible glitter

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3–4 minutes.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract until just combined.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients and milk to the creamed mixture in alternating additions. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing.
06 - Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Smooth the tops and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
07 - Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto wire racks to cool completely.
08 - For the buttercream, beat the butter until creamy and pale, approximately 2–3 minutes. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, beating on low speed until incorporated.
09 - Incorporate the pickle juice, minced pickles, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is fluffy. Add milk as needed to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. Mix in green food coloring, if desired.
10 - Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Apply a generous layer of the pickle buttercream. Repeat this process with the remaining cake layers.
11 - Frost the top and sides of the assembled cake with the remaining buttercream. Garnish with thinly sliced dill pickles and sprinkles or edible glitter, if using.
12 - Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing to ensure neat layers.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just over an hour for last minute celebrations
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients with one surprising addition
  • Perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors that intrigue without overwhelming
  • Creates the ultimate conversation starter at any gathering
02 -
  • Creates an unforgettable flavor experience that surprises and delights
  • Perfect for pickle lovers and adventurous eaters alike
  • Makes a stunning conversation piece for any celebration
  • Combines sweet and savory in an unexpected but delicious way
03 -
  • The secret to the perfect pickle buttercream is balance. Start with less pickle juice than you think you need and gradually add more until you reach the ideal tang. Remember that the flavor will develop and intensify slightly as the cake sits, so it's better to err on the side of subtlety.
  • When selecting pickles for this recipe, opt for a high quality brand with a bright, clean flavor. Artisanal pickles often have more complex flavor profiles that translate beautifully to the buttercream. Avoid pickles with excessive garlic or spice unless you specifically want those notes in your cake.
  • For the most impressive presentation, consider doing a "reveal" cake design where the exterior looks like a traditional birthday cake, but the inside surprise of green tinted layers and pickle flavor creates a memorable moment when the cake is cut. The expressions on your guests' faces will be absolutely priceless!

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