Fluffy Vanilla Butter Cake Recipe: A Dreamy Homemade Treat

Baking a delightful butter cake brings pure joy to your kitchen.

Soft, golden crumbs promise a mouthwatering experience that melts hearts.

Creamy butter creates a rich, velvety texture you’ll absolutely adore.

Simple ingredients dance together, creating magic in every slice.

Home bakers love how effortlessly this recipe comes together.

Sweet aromas will drift through your space, promising comfort and warmth.

Each bite promises a delectable journey of pure, simple pleasure.

Let’s whip up something spectacular that everyone will crave.

Butter Cake That Melts in Your Mouth

• Craft a Simple Delight: Dive into a butter cake that requires minimal baking skills, perfect for beginners looking to create a delicious dessert without stress.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Enjoy a classic treat that brings families together, delivering nostalgic flavors and warmth with every slice.
• Versatile Celebration Cake: Transform this basic recipe into a showstopper by adding frosting, fresh fruits, or a dusting of powdered sugar for any special occasion.
• Pantry-Friendly Recipe: Create magic with common ingredients found in most kitchens, making this butter cake a go-to solution when you crave something sweet without a grocery run.

Ingredients Needed for Butter Cake

• Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure to the butter cake.
• Butter: Delivers rich flavor and creates a tender, moist texture in the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps to create a light, fluffy cake texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure and richness.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a soft, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake and balances the sweetness.

• Milk, Vanilla: Provide moisture and add depth of flavor to the butter cake.

Step-by-Step Butter Cake Instructions

Step 1: Prepare The Oven And Pan

Heat your oven to 350°F. Generously coat a 9-inch cake pan with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

This creates a smooth release for your delectable cake.

Step 2: Create The Dry Mixture

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

These dry ingredients will provide structure and rise to your cake. Set the mixture aside for later use.

Step 3: Cream Butter And Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale. This process incorporates air, making your cake wonderfully tender and soft.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs And Vanilla

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract, which will infuse a rich, aromatic flavor throughout the cake.

Step 5: Combine Wet And Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Start and end with the flour mixture.

Mix gently to maintain the cake’s delicate texture.

Step 6: Fill The Cake Pan

Pour the smooth batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly across the surface.

Tap the pan gently to release any air bubbles.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool And Serve

Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes.

Then transfer to a wire rack, letting it cool completely before slicing and serving your beautiful butter cake.

Important Details for Butter Cake

• Check butter temperature: Use room temperature butter for smoother, fluffier cake texture.
• Avoid overmixing batter: Gently fold dry ingredients to prevent tough, dense cake.
• Test cake doneness: Insert toothpick in center; it should come out clean with minimal crumbs.
• Enhance flavor variations: Add lemon zest, almond extract, or cinnamon for unique taste profiles.
• Store properly: Keep cake covered at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Flavor Options for Butter Cake

• Gluten-Free Butter Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Lemon Zest Variation: Add fresh lemon zest to the batter for a bright, citrusy flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use almond milk instead of regular milk.
• Reduced Sugar Version: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener to lower the sugar content for diabetic-friendly cake.

Serving Ideas for Butter Cake

• Afternoon Tea Delight: Slice cake into thin pieces and serve with delicate china teacups, perfect for elegant gatherings with friends.
• Dessert Parfait Twist: Layer cake chunks with whipped cream and fresh berries in clear glasses for a stunning visual and delicious dessert experience.
• Weekend Brunch Star: Cut into squares and pair with fresh coffee, creating a simple yet satisfying morning treat that feels special and homemade.
• Family Movie Night Treat: Warm slightly and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, making an irresistible comfort dessert everyone will love.

Storage Guidelines for Butter Cake

• Store leftover butter cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days to maintain its soft texture and delicious flavor.
• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out and keep it fresh.
• Refrigerate the cake if you want to extend its shelf life up to 5-7 days, placing it in a sealed container to preserve moisture.
• Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power, or warm the entire cake in a preheated 300F (150C) oven for 5-10 minutes to restore its original softness and warmth.

FAQs

• What gives this butter cake its rich flavor?

The combination of creamy butter, sugar, and vanilla extract creates a deep, indulgent taste that makes this cake irresistibly delicious.

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate the added salt in the recipe to prevent the cake from becoming too salty. Unsalted butter is recommended for better flavor control.

• How do I know if I've mixed the butter and sugar correctly?

When the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, almost doubling in volume, you’ve achieved the perfect creaming technique for a tender cake.

• Is it important to add eggs one at a time?

Absolutely! Adding eggs individually helps them incorporate smoothly, preventing the batter from curdling and ensuring a uniform, silky texture in the final cake.

Moist Butter Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible butter cake from Southern kitchens delights dessert enthusiasts with its rich, tender crumb. Moist layers melt in your mouth, promising pure comfort and sweet satisfaction that connects you to cherished culinary traditions.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

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

Leavening and Seasoning:

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

Flavor Enhancer:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and preparing a 9-inch cake pan with grease and flour coating.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
3. Cream butter and sugar in a separate large bowl until the mixture becomes airy and pale, achieving a fluffy texture.
4. Incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly mixing after each addition to ensure smooth integration.
5. Add vanilla extract to the egg mixture, blending completely.
6. Alternate adding dry ingredient mixture and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with flour to maintain batter consistency.
7. Transfer batter into the prepared cake pan, using a spatula to evenly distribute and smooth the surface.
8. Place pan in preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, monitoring for a golden surface and checking doneness with a toothpick test.
9. Allow cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes to stabilize its structure.
10. Carefully remove cake from pan and transfer to a wire cooling rack, letting it cool completely before serving or decorating.

Notes

• Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth, even mixing and optimal cake texture.
• Use high-quality vanilla extract to enhance the cake’s rich, aromatic flavor profile.
• Avoid overmixing batter to prevent a dense, tough cake; mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Customize the recipe by adding lemon zest, almond extract, or folding in fresh berries for variety.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 395 kcal
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg