How to Make a Pink Princess Cake at Home
A simple guide to a soft pink celebration cake, with a home recipe, decorating ideas and tips for a smooth, pretty finish.
Dimi Guides
13 November 2026 · 3 min read
What is a princess cake?
A pink princess cake is a cake made to look special. It is usually soft, sweet and pretty, with pale pink icing and gentle decoration.
People often choose a cake like this for birthdays, family gatherings and other happy days. It is popular with children, but many adults enjoy it too.
The seller of the Pink Sofia Princess Cake on Dimi describes it as a small size cake that may take about five hours to prepare. That is a useful reminder that a decorated cake takes time. If you make one at home, give yourself a calm, unhurried afternoon.
Recipe
Pink Sofia Princess Cake
- Prep
- 60 min
- Cook
- 28 min
- Total
- 88 min
- Serves
- 8 slices
Ingredients
- 200 g plain flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- 115 g soft butter
- 150 g caster sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 120 ml milk
- For the buttercream: 200 g soft butter
- 400 g icing sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pink gel food colouring
- Sprinkles or edible pearls to decorate
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease two 15 cm tins and line the bases with baking paper.
- 2
Mix the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
- 3
In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar for 3 to 4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- 4
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in the vanilla.
- 5
Add half the flour mixture, then the milk, then the rest of the flour. Fold gently until just combined.
- 6
Divide the batter between the tins and smooth the tops.
- 7
Bake for 22 to 28 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean. Cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool completely.
- 8
For the buttercream, beat the butter until soft and creamy. Add the icing sugar a little at a time, then the milk and vanilla. Beat for 3 minutes until light.
- 9
Stir in a tiny drop of pink colouring until you like the shade.
- 10
Place one layer on a plate and spread buttercream on top. Add the second layer.
- 11
Cover the whole cake with a thin coat of buttercream. Chill for 20 minutes.
- 12
Add a final coat, smooth it, and decorate with sprinkles or pearls.
Before you start
A good cake begins with good preparation. Take your butter and eggs out of the fridge about an hour before baking so they come to room temperature. Room temperature ingredients mix together more smoothly.
The recipe below makes one small two-layer cake, with enough vanilla buttercream to cover it and a little pink colour. You will need two 15 cm (6 inch) round cake tins, or one tin you bake twice.
- Grease the tins and line the bottoms with baking paper.
- Sift the flour so the sponge stays light.
- Use pink gel food colouring if you can. A tiny amount goes a long way.
Tips for a smooth finish
Let the cake layers cool fully before you add any icing. Warm sponge will melt the buttercream and slide around.
Put on a thin first coat of buttercream to catch the crumbs. Chill the cake for about 20 minutes, then add the final coat. This two-step method gives a much cleaner look.
For smooth sides, dip a flat knife or spatula in hot water, wipe it dry, and glide it over the icing.
- Add colour a drop at a time. Pale pink looks softer than bright pink.
- Keep decorations simple: sprinkles, a ring of small piped dots, or a few edible pearls.
- If the buttercream feels too soft, chill the bowl for ten minutes. If it feels stiff, add a teaspoon of milk.
How to serve and store it
Serve the cake at room temperature, cut into slices with a clean, warm knife. It goes well with tea, coffee or a cold glass of juice.
Cover any leftovers and keep them in a cool place. If your weather is hot, the fridge is safer for a buttercream cake. Let slices sit out for a short while before eating so the sponge feels soft again.
Ordering instead
Not everyone has five hours to spare, and that is fine. If you would rather order a cake than bake one, you can look at what shops on Dimi offer. Always check with the seller about size and preparation time before you order.