How to Bake a Birthday Cake in Kenya (Step-by-Step)

How to bake birthday cake: How do you do it?

Are you one of those people who would love to bake their birthday cakes but simply don't simply because you don't know how to do it, or probably you think baking a cake is too hard, takes too much time, or needs expensive tools?

Well, you do not have to be a professional baker nor do you have to own super expensive equipment to bake a yummy cake for any birthday. With all-purpose flour, sugar, fresh eggs, and butter/margarine, all common items with most home bakers, you can get the cake done within a few hours anyway.

• By baking your own cake, it means you’re actually saving on what it could have cost to order at a bakery. Just follow these easy step-by-step guides, and you'll surely find it very easy to bake a birthday cake at home, even if you have not tried it once.
  
  If you’d like to learn how to bake different types of cakes with an expert, using different flavours, contact us at Sweet Inspirations Cakes Nairobi or call: +254722686750 / +254733686750. We’d love to help you learn how to bake perfect, yummy cakes.

Here's how to bake a birthday cake from scratch:

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you’ll need for a basic 1kg birthday cake (serves around 10 people):

• 250g margarine or butter

• 200g sugar (white or brown)

• 4 eggs

• 250g self-raising flour (or plain flour + 2 tsp baking powder)

• 1 tsp vanilla essence (or other flavouring)

• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 4 tbsp sour milk (mala)

Optional ingredients for flavour variations:

• Cocoa powder (for chocolate cake)

• Food colouring (for red velvet or rainbow cakes)

• Fresh fruits and essences (e.g., mango, passion fruit) for flavour and toppings

Tools and Equipment

You don’t need fancy gadgets, but these basics will help:

• Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)

• Electric whisk or wooden spoon

• Cake tins (round or square, 20cm size). A round sufuria will do too

• Oven (or a sturdy sufuria for charcoal jiko baking)

• Spatula (to scrape the bowl)

• Cooling rack (or a clean, flat plate)

Recommended tools for better results:

• Parchment paper (to line the tin)

• Sieve (for smooth flour)

• Cake leveller (or a long knife)

• Oven Thermometer (for charcoal jiko)

How to Bake a Birthday Cake Step-by-Step With Pictures

Step 1: Preparations

Set the oven to 180°C (medium heat if you are using a charcoal jiko)
Making sure to grease your cake tins, using margarine, and dust with flour. This is to ensure the cakes don't stick when baked.

Step 2: Mixing the Batter

In a big bowl, cream the margarine and sugar together until fluffy.

Beat in the eggs one at a time.

Gently fold in the flour with a spatula. Add baking powder, milk/water and vanilla.

Mix until smooth — don’t overmix or the cake will be tough.

Step 3: Baking the Cake

Pour the batter into the tin and smooth the top.

Bake for 25–35 minutes. To see if it’s done, poke it with a knife — if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.

 

Step 4: Cooling and Levelling

• Cool the cake in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a rack.

• Once the cake is completely cool, cut the top of each cake with a knife to even it out.

• After the first cake is ready, the process can be repeated several times according to the size of the cake.(In this case, all cakes were prepared together and placed together in the oven)
  

• Add the 2 cut pieces of cakes together and add cream or whatever you want to decorate it with (see ideas for cake decorations). The example below is for a 1kg cake.
  

Bonus Hacks You’ll Love:

• Let your cake chill in the freezer for 30 minutes before decorating it. It will be easier to handle.

• Let your cake chill before serving. Pull it out of the fridge 30 minutes early—room temp makes flavors pop.

• Got leftover cake? Put and cover in an airtight container, freeze and thaw whenever cravings hit. They’ll stay good for months.

How to Make a Beautiful Birthday Cake

Frosting Ideas:

• Buttercream: Mix 200g butter, 400g icing sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla essence and 2 tbsp milk.

• Whipped cream: Chill cream overnight, sweeten and flavor it, then whip until stiff.

Decorating Tips:

• Use a knife or spatula to spread frosting evenly.

• Add sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or fresh fruit.

• Write messages with melted chocolate in a piping bag.

Design Ideas:

• Rainbow cake: Divide batter into bowls, colour each layer, then stack.

• “Naked” cake: Scrape off excess frosting for a rustic look.

Different Flavours You Can Use to Bake With

Chocolate Cake: Add 50g cocoa powder to the flour.
Vanilla Cake: Use 2 tsp additional vanilla extract.
Fruit Cake: Add mashed banana or grated carrot or raisins to the batter.

How to Make a Great Birthday Cake

Tips:

• Measure ingredients accurately—use a kitchen scale, measuring cups and spoons, if possible.

• Don’t open the oven too early; it makes the cake sink.

• Let the cake cool fully before frosting (or it’ll melt).
   

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Over mixing the batter (causes a tough cake).

• Baking at the wrong temperature (use an oven thermometer).

How to Prepare Birthday Cake at Home: Final Touches

• Serving Your Cake: Grab a bright plate or cake stand—something that makes your cake look like the superstar it is. You baked this beauty, so show it off. Toss on sprinkles, berries, or even edible flowers around the base. Candles? Stick them gently into the frosting (but light them last—nobody wants melted wax surprises).

• Keeping It Fresh: Not serving the cake yet? No problem. Slide it into the fridge, but wrap it tight with cling film or stash it in a sealed container. Cakes with buttercream or cream cheese frosting need the cold.

• Cutting Like You Mean It: Here’s a chef trick: Run your knife under hot water, dry it fast, and slice smooth. Wipe the blade after each cut—crisp edges every time. Put down each piece on a cute plate with ice cream or whipped cream.

Conclusion

Well, now you know how to make homemade birthday cake in Kenya stress free. Over time you’ll perfect on the cake taste and even develop your own recipes. So the next time you have a birthday coming up, put on your apron and make a sweet memory. Happy Baking!

If time is too little to make your own birthday cake, we have amazing birthday cakes at Sweet Inspirations. Order today from our online shop