Chocolate Drip Birthday Cake

This is the classic birthday cake look: clean sides, piped details, and a drip that stays put.

Ingredients

Vanilla cake

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp fine salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temp
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk

Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 to 3 tbsp milk

Chocolate drip

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped

Steps

1. Heat oven to 350F. Grease and line two 8-inch pans.
2. Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
3. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and milk in alternating additions.
4. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely.
5. Beat frosting until smooth. Stack and frost the cake.
6. Warm cream and pour over chocolate. Rest 2 minutes, then stir smooth.
7. Cool ganache to a thick pour, then drip around the edge and spread on top.

Notes

• Chill the cake 20 minutes before adding the drip.
• Save crumbs for a textured topping.