Description
This Soft Butter Cake is a classic American dessert known for its moist, tender crumb and rich buttery flavor. Perfectly balanced with vanilla and baked to a golden finish, this cake is ideal for any celebration or a simple sweet treat. Its fluffy texture comes from creaming the butter and sugar and alternating dry ingredients with milk, making it delightfully soft and easy to slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round pans for easy release after baking.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. This step is key to incorporating air and achieving the cake’s soft texture.
- Add eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure even incorporation and prevent curdling.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Combine mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk in two additions, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Add vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor enhancement.
- Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan(s), smoothing the surface with a spatula. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before slicing or frosting as desired. This helps the cake set and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- This cake tastes wonderful on its own, dusted with powdered sugar or topped with whipped cream and fresh berries.
- Ensure butter, eggs, and milk are all at room temperature before starting to get the fluffiest texture.
- You can use this cake as a base for layered cakes or decorate with your favorite frosting.
- For a lighter version, substitute part of the butter with unsweetened applesauce, though it may slightly alter the texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
