Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or two 8-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper if using round pans.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps. This dry mix is the base of your delicious dot cake recipe.
Step 3: In a separate medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and eggs using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the milk and vanilla extract. This creates the wet base for your dot cake recipe.
Step 4: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake. Gently fold in ½ cup of the rainbow sprinkles. This is where the ‘dots’ of your dot cake recipe begin to appear!
Step 5: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan(s). Bake for 30-35 minutes for a 9×13 pan, or 25-30 minutes for 8-inch rounds, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time is crucial for a perfect dot cake recipe.
Step 6: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Do not frost until the cake is entirely cool, or your buttercream will melt. Patience is key for a beautifully frosted dot cake recipe.
Step 7: Prepare the Vanilla Buttercream: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, alternating with heavy cream/milk and vanilla extract, until smooth and fluffy. Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. This creamy topping perfectly complements your dot cake recipe.
Step 8: Once the cake is completely cool, spread the buttercream evenly over the top. Decorate generously with the remaining ¼ cup of rainbow sprinkles. Slice and serve this delightful dot cake recipe, and watch the smiles appear!