Butter Cakes: Here Is How To Master This Classic Dessert

In the world of desserts cakes hold a very important place. With a plethora of varieties and flavors, they are an essential part of our celebrations. From birthdays to wedding anniversaries, these sweet treats always amp up our special occasions. Whether you are picking a simple homemade cake or an exotic one from the bakery with gorgeous frosting, the soft and yummy flavors are never going to disappoint you.

Chocolate cake, pound cake, vanilla cake, sponge cake, cheesecake, red velvet cake, butter cake and black forest cake are some of the most popular types of this dessert. Speaking particularly about butter cake, this delight is known for its rich flavor, tender crumb, and versatility. It is a timeless classic that perfectly fits into all kinds of celebrations.

Whether enjoyed on their own with a dusting of powdered sugar or decorated with layers of decadent frosting, butter cakes are always comforting and indulgent. The basic ingredients for baking this delight are butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and leavening agents like baking powder or baking soda. Butter cake is recognized as one of the quintessential cakes in American cuisine. It is believed to have originated from the English pound cake that is traditionally made from equal amounts of butter, flour, sugar, and eggs. Check out this simple plain cake recipe.

Ingredients

Butter cake

• 115 g unsalted butter, room temperature
• 150 g caster sugar or granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 210 g all-purpose flour
• 2 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 180 ml whole milk

Easy buttercream

• 115 g butter, room temperature
• 250 g icing sugar or powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1–2 tbsp full fat or whole milk, room temperature
• A few drops of pink food gel
• White chocolate, shaved

Method

• Preheat oven to 180 C/350 F. Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
• In a mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar and vanilla with a mixer on medium speed until creamy for about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat a little.
• In another mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add half of the flour mixture, along with all the milk and slowly combine on a low speed. Add the remaining flour mixture and continue to whisk until the cake batter is smooth and creamy.
• Pour cake batter into your prepared tin and bake in the oven for approximately 30-35 minutes.
• For making the frosting, add butter to a mixing bowl and beat with mixer for 2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla, sugar and 1 tbsp of milk and beat again until combined.
• Spread frosting on top of cooled cake. Sprinkle over white chocolate shavings and your favorite toppings and enjoy.

Tips To Master Butter Cake

Use Creaming Method

For butter cake use the creaming method. In this, butter and sugar are beaten together until light and fluffy. This step allows the cake to rise evenly.

Gradual Mixing Is The Key

When incorporating dry ingredients like flour into the batter, do it gradually. This prevents overmixing and gives a smooth and well-blended batter.

Proper Mixing Is Necessary

It is important to combine the batter well but avoid overmixing, especially after adding the flour. It can lead to a dense and tough cake.

Serving And Decorating

Always start this process after your butter cake has completely cooled. For a minimalist approach, you can dust the cake with powdered sugar or cocoa powder. Butter cakes also go well with a variety of frostings such as classic buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or chocolate ganache. You can also use fresh fruits, whipped cream, or nuts for an added texture and flavor.