Hi, I’m Lena Taylor, and I’m truly glad you’re here. ComfortFoodLite.com is where I share recipes that bring joy to every occasion—especially when it comes to baking cakes that double as showstoppers. Today, let’s talk about a stunning Birthday Cake with Bows, inspired by vintage Lambeth-style piping, ruffled swirls, and delicate red ribbons. It’s the kind of cake that makes birthdays feel extra magical.

Why You’ll Love This Birthday Cake

Beautiful Lambeth-style ruffles with girly bows.
Perfect centerpiece for a birthday photoshoot.
Customizable flavors and decorations.
Works for 16th, 18th, 19th birthdays—or any girly celebration.
Small, chic design that’s easy to make at home.

This cake isn’t just dessert—it’s an accessory for the party! Whether you’re baking for a Sweet 16 birthday cake, a 19th birthday cake, or something simple and chic, this recipe will help you create the perfect centerpiece.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the cake:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
2 tsp vanilla extract

For the buttercream:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
3–4 tbsp heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla extract

For decoration:

Red ribbons (for bows)
Piping bag with star and ruffle tips
Small edible pearls or heart sprinkles

Step-by-Step Preparation

Bake the Cake Layers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla. Alternate adding dry ingredients with milk. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake for 30–35 minutes. Cool completely.
Make the Buttercream
Whip butter until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar. Pour in cream and vanilla until frosting is light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with more cream if needed.
Stack and Frost the Cake
Trim cooled cakes if necessary. Spread frosting between layers, then cover the entire cake with a smooth coat.
Pipe the Ruffles
Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe ruffled swirls around the top and bottom edges. For the Lambeth style, layer extra piping to create depth and vintage elegance.
Add Decorative Details
Tie small red ribbons into bows. Carefully attach them to the cake with toothpicks (remove before slicing). Sprinkle small edible pearls or hearts for a girly touch.

Tips & Variations

Flavors: Swap vanilla cake for chocolate, red velvet, or strawberry.
Frosting: Use cream cheese frosting for a tangy twist.
Decoration: Try pastel bows (pink, lavender, blue) for a softer look.
Mini Version: Bake in 6-inch pans for a cute mini birthday cake.

Perfect Occasions for This Cake

This birthday cake with bows is versatile enough for different milestones:

Sweet 16 Birthday Cake: Add pastel sprinkles and shimmer.
18th Birthday Cake: Go for elegant bows and gold accents.
19th Birthday Cake: Bold red or black ribbons for a chic touch.
Any Girly Celebration: Works beautifully for bridal showers or photoshoots.

It’s also Instagram-worthy, making it a favorite for vintage birthday cakes and cute birthday pictures.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Store frosted cake in the fridge up to 3 days.
Cake layers can be baked ahead and frozen (wrap tightly).
Add ribbons right before serving to keep them fresh.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, swap the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend.

Q: How do I keep the bows food-safe?
Use clean fabric ribbons and attach with toothpicks—remove before serving.

Q: Can I use whipped cream instead of buttercream?
Yes, but whipped cream won’t hold the ruffles as firmly as buttercream.

Q: What if I don’t have piping bags?
Use a zip-top bag and snip the corner for simple swirls.

Conclusion

This Birthday Cake with Bows is more than just dessert—it’s the centerpiece that makes your birthday celebration unforgettable. Elegant ruffles, girly bows, and a timeless design bring beauty to the table while the fluffy cake inside satisfies every sweet tooth.

For more inspiration, you might love my Mini Pumpkin Bread with Cinnamon Swirl or Garlic Butter Bread Rolls, both perfect companions for party menus.