This delightful cake is a treat that will leave you yearning for more. It’s light and adorned with a buttery glaze that enhances its flavor beautifully.
Also known as Kentucky butter cake this traditional dessert strikes the perfect balance, between sweetness and buttery richness. The glaze ensures its moistness for days while its crispy golden crust offers a crunch akin to a glazed donut.
Whether its a gathering or a festive bash this cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The best part? It’s a breeze to whip up with a handful of ingredients. No need, for embellishments – the cake’s delectable taste speaks volumes on its own.
What is Butter Cake?
Butter Cake, also called Kentucky Butter Cake, is an old-school treat. It’s sweet, buttery, and crazy soft. The glaze keeps it moist for days at room temp. That buttery glaze also gives it a crispy coating, like a glazed donut. Yum!
It’s great for any event – potlucks, parties, you name it. Kids and adults both go nuts for it. Best part? No fancy decorating needed. Quick, simple, and uses basic ingredients you probably have already.
Why You’ll This Butter Cake Recipe?
- It calls for pantry items, like all purpose flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk and vanilla extract. These ingredients are usually found in kitchens making it easy to bake this cake without requiring any items.
- The instructions in the recipe are straightforward and easy to follow suitable for both beginners and experienced bakers. From preheating the oven to mixing the batter and baking the cake each step is clearly outlined.
- While the main recipe results in a butter cake there’s an option to create a Blueberry Cake variation for a twist. This flexibility allows for personalization based on taste preferences or ingredient availability. The inclusion of nutmeg and fresh blueberries adds depth to the flavor and texture providing a deviation from the butter cake.
- Additionally, the recipe offers advice, on storing the cake to maintain its freshness. Understanding how to store it can extend its shelf life. Preserve its taste quality so that it stays delicious even after several days.
Overview: Butter Cake Recipe
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and getting an 8 inch baking pan ready. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Beat together sugar and butter mix in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture and milk in alternating batches. Bake for 30 minutes. Allow it to cool down, then savor the treat!
For a twist with Blueberry Cake incorporate nutmeg and fresh blueberries into the batter. Keep the cake at room temperature for, up to four days before transferring it to the refrigerator. Remember to cover it up to retain its moisture.
Butter Cake Recipe
Equipments
- Oven: To preheat and bake the cake.
- 8-inch Baking Pan: To hold and shape the cake while baking.
- Mixer: To cream together the sugar and butter, and to incorporate other ingredients evenly.
- Bowl: To sift and mix dry ingredients.
- Sifter: To sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt for a uniform texture.
- Spatula: To scrape down the sides of the bowl and evenly distribute the batter into the pan.
- Toothpick: To check for doneness by inserting into the center of the cake.
- Wire rack: To cool the cake evenly after baking.
- 1 ½ cups All Purpose Flour.
- 2 tsp baking powder.
- ½ tsp Salt.
- 1 cup white Sugar.
- ½ cup Butter (at room temperature).
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature).
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract.
- ¾ cup milk (at room temperature).
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Get an 8 inch baking pan ready by lightly greasing it and either lining the bottom with parchment paper or dusting it with flour.
Then in a bowl sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Using a mixer cream together the sugar and butter until smooth and fluffy.
Add the eggs one, by one mixing after each addition and incorporate the vanilla extract.
Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in batches alternating with milk and mix briefly after each addition until just combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan level it out and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before flipping it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
For a twist with Blueberry Cake flavor, simply blend in 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg with the ingredients.
Fold in 1 cup of fresh blueberries into the batter before baking.
Once baked through you can slice it into squares while still warm.
Video
Disclosure: That video isn’t mine – I included it to give you a visual of the whole cake pop-making process. Creating my own tutorial video is something I’d love to do down the road when I have a bigger budget.
Recipe Notes
- You can leave this cake out at room temperature in a container for about 3 to 4 days. After that, it’s recommended to keep it in the refrigerator.
- To avoid it drying out, cover the butter cake with foil or plastic wrap before putting it in a container for refrigeration.
Pro Tips for Nailing This Recipe
- Let eggs sit at room temp – they’ll blend better. Or give them a warm water bath.
- Don’t overdo the flour – it’ll make the cake dense. Use a kitchen scale if you’ve got one. Otherwise, fluff flour first, then gently spoon into measuring cup and level off.
- Grease that bundt pan well, even non-stick ones. Butter and flour every nook so the cake slides out cleanly later.
- Use a small spoon or spatula to push batter into pan’s curves. Tap the pan on the counter after filling to remove air pockets.
- Resist opening the oven! Hot air escaping can make your cake cook unevenly or sink.
A Few Tips from Some Home Bakers
- Seema‘s advice for achieving a light and fluffy butter cake:
Use room temperature ingredients, cream butter and sugar properly, incorporate air gently, avoid overbaking, and add leavening agents.
- Eatsgonewild’s advice for handling butter cake easily:
When making butter cake, remember to scrape the bowl thoroughly to avoid clumps of cream cheese. Whip the custard slightly to incorporate air, resulting in a lighter texture. Additionally, opt for high-quality vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
To make handling easier, freeze the cake before chopping it up. This prevents stickiness and maintains its shape during slicing. By following these steps, you can effortlessly handle your butter cake with finesse.
- Carolina Garofani‘s advice if your cake becomes harder a few hours after baking:
Carolina Garofani advises that if your cake becomes harder a few hours after baking, it’s because the butter in it solidifies as it cools down.
To prevent further drying out, wrap the cake tightly in clingwrap once cooled. You can store it at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 90 days to maintain its moisture.
How to Store? (Keeping Your Butter Cake Fresh)
This rich, delicious cake can last for a while if you store it properly.
For a few days, just keep it at room temperature in an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh for 2-3 days this way.
If you want it to stick around longer, pop it in the fridge. Stored this way, your cake will keep for 5-7 days.
Or, you can freeze this tasty treat to enjoy later. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap first. Then put the wrapped cake in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen, it’ll last 4-5 months.
This cake is great for making ahead too. When you’re ready for it, just thaw it out completely before digging in.
Frequently Asked Questions About Butter Cake
What Else Can I Add to The Cake?
Although this butter cake stands wonderfully on its own, you can elevate it with some delightful toppings! Consider dusting powdered sugar over the cake for a simple yet elegant touch. Additionally, you can adorn each slice with fresh fruit, a dollop of whipped cream, homemade caramel sauce, a scoop of ice cream, or even drizzle it with my delectable chocolate ganache recipe.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
There’s no need to refrigerate this cake. Simply cover it and store it at room temperature once it has cooled down properly. This helps maintain its freshness and flavor.
Is This the Same as Pound Cake?
While butter cake and pound cake share similar ingredients, they are distinct in their own right. Pound cake earns its name from the traditional recipe’s requirement of one pound each of butter, flour, and sugar. The proportions of these ingredients differ in a butter cake, resulting in a slightly different texture and flavor profile.
Is This Cake Freezer-Friendly?
Absolutely! You can freeze this cake for up to 3 months. Once it has completely cooled, securely double-wrap it with either plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving. This ensures the cake maintains its delicious taste and texture.
