Welcome to our exclusive guide on how to create the perfect butter cake, a classic dessert that has delighted taste buds for generations. This comprehensive article will walk you through every step, tip, and trick to ensure your butter cake turns out moist, fluffy, and absolutely delicious. We aim to provide you with an engaging and informative experience that will not only teach you how to bake this classic cake but also inspire you to make it a regular feature in your baking repertoire.
What is a Butter Cake?
Butter cake is a simple yet elegant dessert known for its rich, buttery flavor and soft, tender crumb. It is the foundation for many other cakes and can be enjoyed plain or dressed up with various frostings, fillings, and toppings. Originating from the kitchens of European bakers, this cake has become a beloved staple worldwide, appreciated for its versatility and delightful taste.
The Ingredients
Creating the perfect butter cake begins with selecting high-quality ingredients. Here’s a detailed list of what you’ll need:
For the Cake:
- All-Purpose Flour (315g / 2 1/2 cups): Provides structure to the cake. Ensure you sift the flour to remove lumps and aerate it.
- Baking Powder (2 1/2 tsp): Helps the cake rise and gives it a light texture.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter (230g / 1 cup): The star ingredient, giving the cake its rich flavor. It should be at room temperature for easy creaming.
- Granulated Sugar (350g / 1 3/4 cups): Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
- Large Eggs (4, room temperature): Provide structure and stability. Room temperature eggs blend more easily into the batter.
- Vanilla Extract (2 tsp): Adds a depth of flavor.
- Whole Milk (240ml / 1 cup): Moistens the batter, making the cake tender. It should also be at room temperature for best results.
For the Frosting (Optional):
- Unsalted Butter (230g / 1 cup): The base of the frosting, which should be at room temperature.
- Powdered Sugar (500g / 4 cups, sifted): Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- Heavy Cream (60ml / 1/4 cup): Adds richness and helps achieve the desired frosting consistency.
- Vanilla Extract (2 tsp): Enhances the flavor of the frosting.
- Salt (Pinch): Balances the sweetness.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing Bowls: Various sizes for mixing ingredients.
- Electric Mixer: Stand mixer or hand mixer for creaming butter and sugar.
- Spatula: For scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial for baking.
- Sifter: To aerate flour and powdered sugar.
- Cake Pans: Two 9-inch round pans or one 9×13-inch rectangular pan, greased and floured.
- Cooling Rack: To cool the cakes evenly.
- Offset Spatula (Optional): For frosting the cake.