This Flamingo Cake Recipe is a pink vanilla layer cake with pink frosting and chocolate decorations. It is perfect for parties and celebrations.
Hello there, my friend 👋! Ready to make a super fun and pretty cake? This flamingo cake is so easy to make. It’s perfect for birthdays, pool parties, or any special occasion.
Let’s get started.
Utensils You Need
These are the utensils and/or equipment you need to make this recipe:
- Two large mixing bowls.
- Several smaller mixing bowls.
- A whisk.
- Three 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans.
- A hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Oven mitts.
- Spatula
- Wire racks.
- Serving plates
The Recipe
Flamingo Cake
Ingredients
For the vanilla cake:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup milk at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Pink gel food coloring
For the vanilla frosting:
- 8 oz block cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pink gel food coloring
For the chocolate decorations:
- ½ cup chocolate chips – dark milk, or white chocolate work
- Black sprinkles candy eyes, or a black food coloring marker
Instructions
Make the vanilla cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Alternate between adding the dry ingredients and the milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Blend until just combined – don’t overmix!
- Add a few drops of pink gel food coloring and mix until you reach your desired shade of pink. Divide the batter between your prepared pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15-20 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the vanilla frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until fully incorporated.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and a few drops of pink food coloring until you reach your desired shade of pink.
Decorate the cake:
- Level the tops of the cakes if needed for a flat stacking surface.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread with a layer of frosting.
- Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides with a generous layer of frosting.
- Place the third cake layer on top and frost the entire cake.
- Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30 second bursts, stirring in between, until smooth.
- Draw or pipe melted chocolate flamingos onto a sheet of parchment paper.
- Let the chocolate harden completely, then peel the chocolate flamingos off of the parchment paper.
- Place the chocolate flamingos on the cake and use black sprinkles, candy eyes, or a food coloring marker to add eyes to the flamingos.
Notes
- Use high-quality gel food coloring for a vibrant pink color.
- For a thicker frosting, use an extra cup of powdered sugar.
Alternative Ingredients
If you don’t have the ingredients I listed above, do not worry. You can swap them out for the alternatives below.
| Ingredient | Alternative |
| All-purpose flour | Cake flour, whole-wheat flour |
| Unsalted butter | Salted butter (reduce salt in recipe), shortening, vegan butter substitute |
| Milk | Buttermilk, sour cream thinned with a little water, non-dairy alternative |
| Granulated sugar | Brown sugar, honey, maple syrup |
What to Serve with Flamingo Cake
This fun cake is perfect for any party! Serve it with:
- Tropical fruit salad.
- Vanilla ice cream .
- Pink lemonade or iced tea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my cake dry?
Overbaking can lead to a dry cake. Be sure to start testing the cake with a toothpick at the minimum bake time.
How should I store leftover flamingo cake?
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the cake layers and frosting a day in advance. Store the cake layers wrapped in plastic at room temperature, and store the frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
