Homemade Momofuku Milk Bar Cake
I live in NYC so we’re spoiled by having Milk Bar dangerously close. If you haven’t tried Milk Bar, they have the most delicious treats like cereal milk soft serve, salty milkshakes, compost and confetti cookies, and the #1… Birthday Cake. Milk Bar Birthday Cake is probably one of the best birthday cakes you’ll ever have in your life. There I said it. It’s kinda perfect. For the last many (many many) years, my husband and I have been buying each other one for our birthdays, down to the point that it’s tradition now. But when my oldest daughter had a birthday coming up I decided to show my love for her in cake form. The girl loves sprinkles, so I knew I needed something rainbow and with sprinkles. And then it hit me: Milk Bar Birthday Cake! This recipe makes a 5 layer 6″ cake that can serve 8-10 people. I’m not gonna lie. This cake is not easy. If anyone tries to sell you on a easy Milk Bar birthday cake, don’t believe them. Here’s a simple small 6 inch birthday cake if you want to make one, or how about these sprinkle birthday cake muffins or birthday cake truffles? But this cake? Nope. It’s time consuming. There’s lots of steps. It needs some special ingredients. But when you taste it, or even better, the person you made the cake for tastes it, it will all be worth it! Hope you give it a try!
Facts About Making This Damn Cake
Clear your calendar, here’s the truth about making this cake.
Other recipes call for a jelly roll pan (like a sheet cake pan) and then cutting the circular cakes out of that, but I just use 6 inch cake pans to make things easier. Other recipes call for cake collars to help the layers look more clean and sharp, but I found this unnecessary, save your money. Milk Bar Birthday Cake cakes do not have frosting on the side of the cake, instead showing the cake and layered frosting, but we love frosting so I frosted the sides. This is up to you! It took about 16 hours to make, including chilling overnight in the refrigerator. Please plan ahead! It will be stressful to make. Make a Spotify playlist with relaxing tunes. I almost cried twice. Ok, 3 times. Key word being almost. You will be SO DAMN PROUD OF YOURSELF after you make this cake. Seriously, take a bow!
Special Ingredients and Supplies for Milk Bar Birthday Cake
There’s a lot of ingredients you need for this birthday cake, but this is a list of the special ones that I didn’t have in my kitchen so you can easily prep in advance!
Cake flour, easy to find, but I don’t usually have it in my pantry. Grapeseed oil, has a special taste that really gives it the authentic Milk Bar taste, don’t skip it! Clear Vanilla Extract, not the brown vanilla, this helps keep the frosting and cake bright in color. 6 inch cake pans, I use these all the time now for cakes. Rainbow sprinkles that don’t melt and keep their bright rainbow colors. A good frosting spatula.
How to Make a Milk Bar Birthday Cake
The full recipe is at the bottom of this post in the recipe card and since it’s a long one, I wanted to quickly lay out the steps so you can review to understand the process before you dive in.
You will bake (5) 6 inch cakes and allow them to cool.
Using a sharp knife (I like using a bread knife), carefully cut the tops so they are level.
Make the crunchy cake crumbs that sit on top and layers each cake. I dare you to not eat at least one of these right away!
You will make the best vanilla buttercream frosting that is SO SWEET and spread this out on each cake, layering them on top of each other.
Frost the sides of the cake (optional). Add sprinkles on the side and top of cake, gently patting them to stick.
Place in the refrigerator or freezer to let set overnight.
Now the best part, time to serve! Enjoy the birthday cake!
How to Store Leftover Birthday Cake
Refrigerator: Store birthday cake either in an airtight container (you will need to cut into slices), or cover the cake with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freezing: To store for months wrap in plastic and freeze cake. Frozen cake usually lasts for 2-3 months for optimal taste and freshness. Pin for later:
