Butter Cake Recipe
Did you know that butter cake has been a beloved dessert in home kitchens for over a century? If you're craving a classic treat that's both simple and sublime, you're in the right place. This timeless recipe isn't just another cake—it's a canvas for culinary creativity. Whether you're a novice baker or a seasoned pro, you'll find something irresistible about the buttery, tender crumb that promises to transform your baking game. Curious how a few basic ingredients can create such magic?
Recipe Highlights
- Cream softened butter and sugar thoroughly until light and fluffy, which creates the foundational texture for a classic butter cake.
- Combine high-quality ingredients like all-purpose flour, fresh eggs, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar to ensure rich, consistent flavor and structure.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, use a 9-inch greased cake pan, and bake for 45-50 minutes, monitoring for golden-brown color and clean toothpick test.
- Gently fold flour into the mixture, avoiding overmixing to maintain a tender crumb and prevent the cake from becoming dense or tough.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring, and serve plain or with optional garnishes like fresh fruit or whipped cream.
History
Although butter cake might seem like a modern dessert, its roots stretch back centuries, weaving through European baking traditions. You'll discover that early versions emerged in medieval European kitchens, where bakers first experimented with combining butter, sugar, and flour into rich, dense cakes.
These early prototypes weren't the light, airy confections you know today, but dense, hearty treats that celebrated precious ingredients.
As trade routes expanded and sugar became more accessible, butter cake evolved. Germanic and Dutch bakers particularly refined the technique, developing recipes that would eventually spread across Europe and into American kitchens.
They understood that carefully creaming butter and sugar created the signature tender crumb you now associate with classic butter cake. Each region gradually developed its own delightful variation.
Recipe
This recipe transforms a handful of basic ingredients into a golden, tender cake that serves as a perfect canvas for various toppings or can be enjoyed entirely on its own. The key to its success lies in careful mixing and precise baking techniques that bring out the best in each component.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9-inch cake pan by greasing it thoroughly.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together, beating until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which typically takes about 5 minutes. This process incorporates air and creates the cake's signature tender texture.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure a smooth, homogeneous batter. Stir in the vanilla extract, then gradually fold in the flour, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop gluten and result in a tough cake.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown and slightly pulling away from the pan's edges. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the best results, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before beginning. Room temperature ingredients blend more easily and create a more consistent batter. Use high-quality butter and pure vanilla extract for the most robust flavor, and consider serving the cake with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence.
Cooking Steps
Get ready to transform simple ingredients into a golden, tender butter cake by mastering these key cooking steps.
You'll start by creaming the butter and sugar until they're light and fluffy, then gradually incorporate eggs while maintaining a smooth, silky texture.
As you gently fold in the flour and pour the batter into your prepared pan, you'll be just moments away from creating a classic dessert that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
Step 1. Cream Butter and Sugar
Creaming butter and sugar is a fundamental technique that sets the stage for a perfect butter cake's texture and rise.
You'll want to start with room-temperature unsalted butter, soft enough to leave a slight indentation when pressed. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed for about 5 minutes.
Watch for these key signs of proper creaming:
- Color lightens from yellow to pale cream
- Texture becomes fluffy and significantly increased in volume
- Mixture looks smooth and almost cloud-like
The goal is to incorporate air into the fat, creating tiny pockets that help your cake rise and become tender.
Don't rush this step – thorough creaming is crucial for achieving that classic, delicate butter cake crumb.
Mix until the mixture is light, airy, and nearly doubles in volume.
Step 2. Add Eggs Gradually
After whipping the butter and sugar to a light, airy consistency, you'll want to incorporate eggs methodically to maintain the delicate structure you've just created.
Crack each egg into a small bowl before adding to prevent shell fragments from disrupting your batter. Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly between additions:
- Beat for 30-45 seconds after each egg
- Mix at medium speed to prevent over-aerating
- Look for a smooth, slightly glossy texture
- Ensure each egg is fully integrated before adding the next
The goal is a homogeneous mixture that doesn't curdle or separate. If the batter starts looking grainy or split, briefly pause mixing and let it come to room temperature.
Consistent, gentle incorporation will help create a tender, even crumb in your final butter cake.
Step 3. Fold in Flour Gently
Once you've achieved a smooth, aerated butter and egg mixture, it's crucial to fold in the flour with a delicate touch that preserves the cake's tender structure.
Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently incorporate the flour, moving in smooth, sweeping motions from the bottom of the bowl to the top.
Key folding techniques include:
- Add flour gradually in 2-3 batches
- Mix until just combined
- Stop when no dry flour streaks remain
Avoid overmixing, which develops gluten and can create a dense, tough cake.
Watch for a soft, uniform batter with a pale, creamy appearance.
Your goal is maintaining the air bubbles created during the initial mixing, ensuring a light, delicate crumb that melts in your mouth.
Step 4. Pour Batter Into Pan
With your perfectly folded batter now ready, you'll want to prepare your cake pan for a smooth, even pour that ensures uniform baking.
Grease your 9-inch pan thoroughly, using soft butter or non-stick spray, paying special attention to the corners and edges. Tilt and rotate the pan to create an even coating, which prevents sticking and helps your cake release cleanly after baking.
Pour the batter slowly and deliberately into the center of the pan, using a spatula to guide and scrape every last bit from the mixing bowl.
Gently tap the pan on the counter 2-3 times to:
- Release trapped air bubbles
- Create a level surface
- Eliminate potential dense pockets
Smooth the top with your spatula, creating an even, glossy finish.
Step 5. Bake Until Golden Brown
Carefully slide your cake pan into the preheated 350°F oven, positioning it on the center rack for optimal heat distribution. Watch the cake's surface transform as it bakes, looking for a gorgeous golden-brown color that signals perfect doneness.
Keep a close eye on your creation without opening the oven door too frequently, which can cause temperature fluctuations.
Key baking indicators include:
- Edges pulling slightly away from pan sides
- Top turning uniformly golden
- Toothpick test showing clean or with minimal crumbs
- Surface springing back when gently touched
Around 45-50 minutes, your butter cake will reach peak perfection. The aroma of buttery sweetness will fill your kitchen, promising a delectable dessert that's tender, moist, and beautifully caramelized.
Final Thoughts
Although butter cake might seem simple, mastering this classic dessert requires patience and practice.
You'll find that each time you bake, your skills will improve, creating more consistent and delectable results. Pay close attention to ingredient temperatures, mixing techniques, and oven calibration – these subtle details dramatically impact your cake's texture and flavor.
Key takeaways for butter cake success:
- Always use room-temperature ingredients
- Cream butter and sugar thoroughly
- Fold flour gently to prevent toughness
- Check doneness with a toothpick
- Allow cake to cool properly before serving
Your commitment to understanding the nuanced art of baking will transform a basic recipe into a memorable dessert.
With practice, you'll develop an intuitive sense of when the batter is just right, elevating your butter cake from good to extraordinary.
