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A Simple Birthday Cake Recipe!
How I spent under $15 for my birthday cake, plates, forks, candles and more (Dollar Tree Gourmet)!
In a few days, I will be the big 34, and I Heart Recipes will be 9! Last month, I decided to celebrate early (because I wanted cake…anything for cake!), and I made a semi-homemade simple birthday cake. I wanted something chocolatey, but not too sweet, and colorful! I headed to my local Dollar Tree to see what I could find, and guess what? They had EVERYTHING that I needed!

I picked up a box of Pillsbury traditional yellow cake (yup, they sale Pillsbury at the Dollar Tree!), some chocolate fudge frosting (also by Pillsbury) and rainbow sprinkles.
I already had the eggs and vegetable oil needed for the birthday cake, but I also picked up some plastic forks, napkins, candles and paper plates.
I simply followed the directions on the back of the cake box and added some colorful sprinkles in the batter. I baked the cakes, let them cool, frosted them…and CHILE, let me tell you…The cake was SO DARN GOOD! Like seriously. It was cheap to make and super delicious.
While you’re here, check out some of my other cake recipes!
OLD FASHIONED HUMMINGBIRD SHEET CAKE

Parents & everyone else – take notes…No need to buy your child, yourself or someone else an expensive birthday cake. Make it yourself and save your money for a gift or something else.
If you want to make this cake to appear more “mature”, omit the sprinkles and use plain white candles.
Print the recipe below, and subscribe to my mailing list for more recipes! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube! I just released a brand new cookbook, Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie, with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else.
Watch me make my Simple Birthday Cake!

Simple Birthday Cake
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz box of yellow cake mix plus ingredients listed on the back of the box
- 1 ADDITIONAL egg to make it taste like it’s made from scratch, optional
- 1 tbsp rainbow sprinkles plus more for decorating
- 16 oz chocolate frosting I had two 10 oz jars in the video
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- Pour the cake mix into a medium sized bowl, then whisk out the lumps.
- Next add in the ingredients listed on the back of the cake box.
- Mix the cake batter until it’s smooth & lump free, then add in the sprinkles.
- Fold the sprinkles into the batter.
- Lightly oil & flour two 8 inch cake pans and pour in half of the batter to make two layers (OR you can make a sheet cake).
- Bake the cakes for about 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let the cakes cool.
- Once the cakes are cool, frost them and sprinkle in the rainbow sprinkles.
- Let the cakes sit for at least 20 minutes, then add the candles.
- Enjoy!
Happy Birthday Rosie!!
And thank you for always sharing all your wonderful recipes, anything I make from I Heart is always a hit 🙂
Thank YOU!!!! XOXOXOXOXO
Rosie, you have become the best cook in the family,you have earned the title. ❤❤❤
I learned from the Best!!!! XOXOXOXOXOX
Rosie you have earned the title. ❤❤❤
I meant 5 star’s
Happy birthday, sweet Rosie! I’m brand new to your blog, grew up down South, still miss the food. I love your recipes!
Thank you Christine!!! XOXO
Elizabeth says
Have a very Happy Birthday and many more to come. Can’t wait to see the delicious recipes you’ll have for us this year! You always have 5 star recipes Here’s a rose for a rose!
Aweeee. Thanks Elizabeth!!
Thanks for the tip about the addtl egg. I didn’t know that it would make it taste more from scratch.
Happy birthday!
Thank you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing such a simply, homemade cake for any occasion.
Thank you!
Thank you for this. I plan to use this recipe for my next celebration.
You are a life saver! Thank You so Much. So funny (Chile)….
I loveeeee it
Thank you