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Hawaiian Birthday Cake


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  • Author: Emma
  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Bring the tropical vibes to your next celebration with this stunning Hawaiian Birthday Cake. With layers of soft vanilla sponge cake filled with passionfruit cream and topped with vibrant ombré buttercream and fresh tropical fruits, it’s a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.


Ingredients

For the Cake Layers (3 layers):

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 ½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs, room temperature

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

1 cup whole milk, room temperature

½ cup sour cream

For the Filling:

½ cup passionfruit jam (or mango, guava, or pineapple jam)

1 cup whipped cream

For the Buttercream Frosting:

1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened

5 cups powdered sugar, sifted

56 tbsp heavy cream

2 tsp vanilla extract

Gel food coloring: yellow, orange, and coral

For Decoration:

Fresh mango slices

Kiwi slices

Pineapple wedges

Fresh plumeria (or edible flowers)

Optional: strawberries or papaya slices for added color


Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk and sour cream, mixing until just combined.
  5. Divide the batter evenly among the pans, smoothing the tops. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  6. Cool the cakes completely on wire racks.
  7. Prepare the Buttercream: Beat the butter until creamy and pale. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until smooth.
  8. Add heavy cream and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy. Adjust the consistency with more cream if needed.
  9. Divide frosting into three bowls: leave one white, tint the second yellow, and tint the third with orange or coral.
  10. Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a cake board or serving stand. Spread a thin layer of jam, then a layer of whipped cream. Repeat with the second cake layer, then place the final cake layer on top, pressing gently to level.
  11. Apply a thin crumb coat of white buttercream and chill the cake for 20 minutes.
  12. Create the Sunset Ombré Frosting: Starting at the bottom of the cake, spread coral frosting around the base. Above that, spread orange frosting, slightly overlapping the coral. Finish with yellow frosting at the top, blending gently into white near the top edge.
  13. Use a cake scraper to smooth the sides and blend the colors, creating the sunset ombré effect. Smooth the top with white buttercream.
  14. Decorate with Tropical Fruits: Arrange kiwi, mango, and pineapple slices in a fan shape on one side of the cake. Add papaya or strawberry slices for extra color. Place a fresh plumeria flower or edible bloom for a tropical finish.

Notes

For an extra tropical flair, try adding dragon fruit, passionfruit pulp, or starfruit.

For a coconutty twist, add coconut extract to the frosting.

If you’re looking to lighten up the filling, use a lighter whipped topping instead of heavy cream.

For a vegan version, substitute vegan butter, dairy-free whipped cream, and plant-based milk and sour cream.

Add chocolate ganache between layers for a tropical-chocolate variation.

  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 45g
  • Sodium: 180mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg