Last Updated on January 12, 2023

Looking to bake a cake that will wow? Wanting to make a cake with multiple layers? If so, you will want to know how to follow a 4 layer cake recipe.

Though it might seem intimidating at first to make a cake with so many layers, by carefully following this tutorial you can create a beautiful cake. In addition, you will be able to serve more people with a larger cake, or simply just have more to enjoy for yourself. No matter your experience level, you can master making a 4-layer cake.

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What You Need to Follow to Make a 4-Layer Cake

Ingredients for the Cake

2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, large
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
Unsalted butter, for pans

Ingredients for the Frosting

8 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into pieces
pinch of salt
10 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
6-8 tablespoons milk

Equipment

4 9-inch cake pans
Parchment paper
Large bowl
Electric mixer
Sifter
Medium bowl
Wire rack
Serrated knife
Offset spatula
Plate, turntable, or cake stand

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Cake Pans

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter the four cake pans and add parchment paper on the bottom to avoid sticking.

Step 2: Combine Granulated Sugar and Vegetable Oil

Beat the granulated sugar and vegetable oil in an electric mixer on medium-high speed for about three minutes. The mix should be smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat the eggs in one at a time. Then add the vanilla and beat the mix at high speed for about two minutes. The batter should appear light and fluffy.

Step 4: Sift and Add the Remaining Ingredients

In a medium bowl, sift the flour, salt, and baking soda. With the mixer on low speed, alternate adding flour mix and buttermilk to the batter. Start with the flour mix and add in three additions, while adding buttermilk after every time.

After about two minutes, the mix should be smooth. Avoid overmixing the batter.

Step 5: Divide the Batter and Bake the Cakes

Evenly divide the batter among the four cake pans. Bake two cakes at a time for 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the first two cakes cool on a wire rack while the other two are baking.

Step 6: Make the Frosting

With an electric mixer, beat the butter and salt on medium speed for about two minutes. Slowly add in the confectioners’ sugar until smooth then turn the speed to medium-high and beat for two minutes. Gradually add the milk to the frosting until it becomes thick and spreadable in texture.

Step 7: Level the Cakes

Once the cakes are completely cool, take a serrated knife to level off the tops of your cakes if they are uneven. This will allow your cakes to be easier to stack and give the finished product a better overall look.

Step 8: Assemble the Cake

Place one cake layer on a plate, cake stand, or turntable. Using an offset spatula, spread about 1 1/2 cups of frosting on the cake, repeating with each layer. Once all four layers are stacked, use the remaining frosting to cover the sides and top of the cake.

Tips and Tricks to Make a 4-Layer Cake

If you want to get creative with your cake, you can add food coloring to each layer. Divide your cake into four different bowls and add 5-10 drops of food coloring to each bowl until you reach your desired color. Once the colors are fully mixed in each bowl, add the cakes into the pans and bake them.

Your cake can be kept for 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge. It can also be frozen for up to six months, wrapped in plastic wrap then covered in aluminum foil. Once you are ready to serve your frozen cake, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight.

Allow all your cold ingredients to reach room temperature before adding them to the batter. This will give your cake a smooth, fluffy texture.

Double Chocolate 4-Layer Cake Recipe

Now you know how to make vanilla 4 layered cakes, you may be wondering how to make a chocolate cake. Let’s take a closer look at a chocolate 4 layer cake recipe.

The ingredients you’ll need for this recipe are:

for the cake:

1 1/4 cups of plain flour
3 1/4 cups of caster sugar
5 tablespoons of cocoa powder
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda
pinch of salt
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of buttermilk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla paste or extract
1 cup of boiling water

for the chocolate frosting:

1 cup of butter
5 1/4 powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 cup of cocoa powder
1/2 cup of milk
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of espresso powder

Now all you need to do is:

Gather all of the ingredients you need for this recipe and preheat your oven to 350F. You’ll also need to prepare two cake pans by greasing them with butter and dusting them with flour.
To make the chocolate cake, grab a mixing bowl and add the following ingredients: plain flour, caster sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix well using a stand mixer (or electric mixer).
Once combined, add the following wet ingredients to the dry: milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla paste (or extract). It’s important not to overmix, so only mix the ingredients until they’re just combined.
Fold in the water using a spatula. Mix until fully incorporated and then pour the batter evenly into the two prepared tins.
Place in the center of your preheated oven and bake for around 30 minutes. When ready, a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean. It should also spring back when pressed gently.
Remove from oven and leave cakes to cool completely before you begin the next step.
Once cool, use a serrated knife to cut each cake layer into two. You should have four even cake layers to work with once finished.
Before you begin the frosting, you’ll need to sift the cocoa powder to ensure it’s lump free.
Grab a bowl and add softened butter to the sifted cocoa powder. Mix with an electric mixer (or stand mixer) until completely combined.
Gradually add around one cup of powdered sugar at a time to the butter and cocoa mixture. Only add the next cup once the previous cup has been mixed in. Add the milk gradually as you go. Keep mixing until all the milk and powdered sugar have been added.
To finish, add in the espresso powder and vanilla paste (or extract). Mix well to evenly distribute. If your frosting appears too thick, add a splash of milk. If your frosting appears too thin, add a tablespoon of powdered sugar.
Now you’ve made the frosting, split the frosting into four equal parts. Place one cake layer on your cake stand and cover the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top and frost the top. Place the third layer on top and frost the top. Finally, top with the final layer and frost. If you have any frosting left over, you can frost the sides of the cake too.
Your cake is now ready to eat. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

An Elegant 4-Layer Cake Recipe

I hope this post has given you the ideal 4 layer cake recipe. By carefully following this tutorial, you can make a beautiful 4-layer cake. Not only will it look elegant, but it will also taste amazing. It is a wonderful recipe for your next big celebration, as your family and friends will love it.

Did you enjoy this tutorial on how to make a 4-layer cake? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments down below and share this article.

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Anna

Ever since she was a young girl, Anna has been a lover of desserts. As an adult, she enjoys
baking a variety of desserts from cakes, cookies, brownies, bread, and more from scratch. She
enjoys sharing her passion for baking with others who also have a sweet tooth. From properly
measuring ingredients to making sure they are the correct temperature, Anna knows the
importance small details can make in baking. She wants to share her experience with others in
hopes they can make the most delicious baked goods. When she’s not busy blogging, Anna
enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen.

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4 Layer Cake Recipe: Easy How To