Heavenly Homemade Butter Cake Recipe: Fluffy Golden Delight

Soft and pillowy butter cake whispers comfort right into the heart of any kitchen.

Memories of grandma’s warm baking drift through the air with each gentle mix.

Creamy textures promise sweet indulgence that melts perfectly on your tongue.

Baking becomes an intimate dance of simple ingredients creating magical moments.

Rich golden crumbs promise delectable satisfaction without complicated techniques.

Delightful aromas will soon fill every corner of your home.

Butter Cake: Why This Rich Dessert Is A Family Favorite

Whip Up Effortless Delight: Reasons to Love This Butter Cake

• Quick Kitchen Magic: Prepare this cake in under an hour with basic pantry ingredients, making it perfect for spontaneous baking moments.
• Beginner-Friendly Bliss: Straightforward steps and simple mixing technique ensure even novice bakers can create a professional-looking dessert without stress.
• Family Favorite Comfort: Classic butter cake delivers nostalgic warmth, offering a soft, tender crumb that appeals to all ages and satisfies sweet cravings instantly.
• Versatile Celebration Treat: Adaptable for birthdays, afternoon tea, potlucks, or casual gatherings, this cake serves as a reliable crowd-pleaser that never disappoints.

Butter Cake Ingredient Details

• All-Purpose Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure and helps create a tender cake texture. King Arthur or Gold Medal brands work best for consistent results.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy. Fresh baking powder ensures maximum lift.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake. Use fine table salt for even distribution.

• Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar: Combination creates a rich, creamy base that provides sweetness and contributes to the cake's tender crumb. Room temperature butter blends more smoothly.

• Eggs, Whole Milk, Vanilla Extract: Eggs bind ingredients and add structure, milk adds moisture, and vanilla provides depth of flavor. Large eggs at room temperature incorporate more easily.

The Way to Bake Butter Cake

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F.

Grab a 9-inch cake pan and give it a generous coating of butter and flour to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until they’re friendly with each other.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate spacious bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture that’s light as air.

Step 4: Add Egg Magic

Drop in eggs one by one, giving each a good beating until fully incorporated.

Splash in the vanilla extract for that extra flavor punch.

Step 5: Create Cake Batter

Slowly fold in the dry ingredients, alternating with splashes of milk.

Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing gently until everything just comes together.

Don’t overwork the batter – treat it with tender love.

Step 6: Pan Preparation

Pour the silky batter into your prepared pan, using a spatula to smooth the top into a perfect, even surface.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean with no wet batter clinging to it.

Step 8: Cool and Celebrate

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes to catch its breath.

Then transfer to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely before slicing into your delicious creation.

Butter Cake With Golden Bake and Moist Texture Tricks

• Take butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the ideal soft, room temperature texture for smooth mixing.
• Avoid overmixing the batter, which can develop tough gluten and create a dense, dry cake – mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Insert a toothpick at a 45-degree angle near the cake's center, ensuring it comes out clean with no wet batter clinging.
• Add a pinch of salt to balance sweetness and consider using vanilla bean paste for a richer, more complex vanilla taste.
• Experiment with flavor variations by adding lemon zest, almond extract, or folding in fresh berries for a personalized touch.

Chill Butter Cake And Serve With Warm Slice

• Store leftover butter cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and preserve moisture.
• Keep cake at room temperature for 2-3 days if covered with a cake dome or sealed container. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Slice cake before freezing, wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Frozen cake maintains quality for 2-3 months.
• Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds or in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid overheating to maintain cake's soft texture.

What Works Well with Butter Cake

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Custard: A silky, rich vanilla custard complements the butter cake's dense, moist texture, enhancing its buttery sweetness.
• Sip Chai Latte: A warm, spiced chai latte with its complex blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger creates a delightful contrast to the cake's simple, rich flavor.
• Match with Fresh Berries: Tart raspberries or strawberries cut through the cake's richness, adding a bright, refreshing element to each bite.
• Enjoy with Caramel Macchiato: The sweet, creamy caramel notes and espresso undertones of this drink beautifully balance the butter cake's smooth, tender crumb.

Butter Cake Made Richer with Classic Layers

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Lemon Butter Cake: Add fresh lemon zest and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the batter for a bright, citrusy flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use almond milk instead of regular milk to accommodate dairy restrictions.
• Almond Butter Cake: Mix in 1/2 cup ground almonds to the dry ingredients and top with sliced almonds before baking for a nutty enhancement.

FAQs

• Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While margarine can be used, butter provides a richer flavor and better texture. Margarine might change the cake’s taste and consistency, so butter is recommended for the best results.

• How do I know if I've mixed the batter correctly?

The batter should look smooth and creamy, with no lumps. When you lift the beater, the mixture should fall slowly in a ribbon-like consistency. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake, so stop mixing once ingredients are just combined.

• What if my eggs are cold?

Cold eggs can affect the cake’s texture. Let eggs sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps them blend more easily and creates a more uniform batter.

• Can I make this cake without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can use a hand mixer or even mix by hand with a whisk. Just ensure you beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, and mix thoroughly but gently when adding other ingredients.

Butter Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful butter cake whisks you into a world of buttery bliss, promising pure comfort with each tender crumb. Moist, rich layers melt on your palate, inviting pure indulgence in this classic dessert that speaks directly to sweet-loving souls.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Flavoring:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare your baking workspace by warming the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coating a 9-inch cake pan with butter and flour to prevent sticking.
2. Create a delicate dry ingredient blend by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl until thoroughly combined and set aside.
3. Utilize an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar, whipping the mixture until it becomes airy, pale, and develops a light, fluffy texture.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring each egg is fully integrated and the batter maintains a smooth consistency before adding the next.
5. Enhance the batter’s flavor profile by gently stirring in vanilla extract, creating a rich aromatic base.
6. Carefully fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk to maintain a silky, uniform texture. Begin and conclude with the flour mixture, mixing only until ingredients are just combined to preserve the cake’s tender crumb.
7. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to distribute evenly and create a level surface.
8. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring for a golden exterior and checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean.
9. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, enabling it to set and cool slightly before carefully transferring to a wire rack to complete cooling.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and even baking.
• Add a pinch of salt to enhance the butter cake’s flavor depth and balance sweetness.
• Customize the cake by folding in lemon zest, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts for extra texture and variation.
• Replace regular milk with almond or coconut milk to create a dairy-free version suitable for different dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 323
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg