Sugar Cookie Birthday Cake

3 of my dear friends celebrated birthdays this week, so what better way to celebrate than with a little cake! This birthday cake is a cross between a cake and a sugar cookie, and can be decorated however you want!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

1 and 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup plus 1/4 cup sugar

6 Tablespoons butter, softened

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

2 Tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons milk

For the Buttercream Frosting:

1 stick of unsalted butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

3 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream (at room temperature)

Decorations: sprinkles, candles

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease and line a 5 inch cake pan. Then combine flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl.

Step 2: In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Then beat in the egg until fully incorporated, then add the vanilla and almond extracts.

Step 3: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet 1/3 at a time until just combined. Then gently mix in the milk. Pour the batter into your prepared pan, level the top and stick it in the oven for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for about 30 minutes on a wire rack.

Step 4: Make the frosting by beating together the butter and powdered sugar, then add the cream and vanilla. Pipe or spread the frosting on the cooled cake and decorate! Enjoy!

If you want a more classically light "cakey" birthday cake, add in one more egg and another Tablespoon milk.