Indulge in Bliss with Our Butter Cake Recipe
I absolutely love southern-style cuisine- the buttery, savory flavors and the warm home-cooked meals. And what could be better than a sweet and delicious butter cake fresh out of the oven? That’s exactly what we’ll be making today with this Southern Living Old Fashioned Butter Cake Recipe.
This cake is perfect for any occasion- birthdays, holidays, or just as an indulgent treat after a long day. The recipe is simple and straightforward, and the result is a light, fluffy cake with a delicate crumb and irresistible buttery flavor.
Plus, with the option to add in some fun variations like Kentucky Butter Cake or Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, this recipe is sure to become an instant favorite in your household. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your hats because I am about to introduce you to one of the most delightful treats that will hit your taste buds – Southern Living Old Fashioned Butter Cake Recipe. This particular cake recipe is not your typical cake. It is a classic and one that stands out among other cake recipes that you have tried before.
What sets this recipe apart? Well, for starters, the buttery, gooey texture of a southern-style butter cake is irresistible. The flavors and ingredients in this recipe are perfectly balanced with all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, eggs, sugar, milk and vanilla extract making it pure perfection on a plate.
The aroma that fills your home when baking this cake is heavenly enough to persuade even the most ardent naysayer to try a slice. Not to mention, the softness and moist texture of the cake will keep you coming back for more.
Furthermore, it is perfect for any occasion – be it a birthday cake or something special for an intimate gathering. With its delicate yet definitive flavor and rich buttery aroma – Southern Living Old Fashioned Butter Cake Recipe will have family and friends begging for more.
In these days of uncertainty and stress, there has never been a better time to find comfort in food. So I strongly suggest you give this recipe a try! It will bring unmistakable joy not only to your palate but also to your soul. Trust me when I say once you try it, you won’t be able to resist licking every last crumb from your plate.
So head on down to the kitchen and enjoy creating this classic southern-style dessert- Southern Living Old Fashioned Butter Cake Recipe- full of comforting flavors that will leave you satisfied and content long after the last bite. Happy Baking!
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious old-fashioned butter cake:
- 2 1/4 cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
You can find most of these ingredients easily in your pantry or grocery store. The key ingredients in this recipe are butter and cake flour, which give a light and fluffy texture to the cake. To achieve the best results, it is important that the ingredients are at room temperature before mixing them together.
The Recipe How-To
Now, let’s move to the exciting part of this recipe – the how-to section. I assure you that following these simple steps would result in an unforgettable old-fashioned butter cake.
Step 1: Butter and Flour the Pan
Preheat your oven to 325°F and butter a 10-cup bundt pan, making sure to spread the butter evenly. Sprinkle flour into it and cover all the sides of the pan. Shake off any excess flour.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, sift together 3 cups of cake flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In another mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream together 2 and ½ sticks of unsalted butter at room temperature and 2 cups of granulated sugar. Beat them together until light and fluffy.
Step 4: Add the Eggs One at a Time
Add in 4 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Step 5: Alternate Mixing Dry Ingredient Mixture and Milk
Slowly mix in the dry ingredient mixture in thirds and continue to beat on medium speed. In between each addition, pour in 1 cup room temperature whole milk until it fully incorporates into the batter.
Step 6: Add vanilla extract
Stir in 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
Step 7: Pour Batter into Bundt Pan
Pour your butter cake batter into your pre-buttered bundt cake pan from step one.
Step 8: Bake Your Cake
Bake in preheated oven for one hour and fifteen minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 9: Cool Your Cake
After removing from the oven, allow your old-fashioned butter cake to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before removing it.
Step 10: Serve
Once your butter cake is cool, transfer it to a cake platter and serve it on its own or with some fresh berries, fruit compote, or maybe even topped with whipped cream.
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about any recipe is the possibility for tweaks and personalization. Here are some substitutions and variations that you can try to make this old fashioned butter cake recipe a little bit different each time:
– Flour: If you don’t have cake flour on hand, you can make your own at home by sifting together 3 cups of all-purpose flour with 1/4 cup of cornstarch. Alternatively, you can use self-rising flour, just omit the baking powder and salt from the recipe.
– Salt: While kosher or sea salt are ideal, regular table salt will work just fine. You may want to reduce the amount slightly if you’re using salted butter.
– Butter: For a twist on this classic southern recipe, try using flavored butter instead. Kentucky butter cake typically uses bourbon-spiked butter in both the batter and the glaze. You can also experiment with other flavors like honey or cinnamon.
– Sugar: Brown sugar or coconut sugar can be used instead of granulated sugar for a change.
– Eggs: If you’re out of eggs, you can try substituting each egg with ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana.
– Milk: Whole milk or heavy cream will give you richer results than low-fat or non-dairy milk.
– frosting options: This old fashioned butter cake is sweet enough on its own, but frosting it up would make it taste more delicious. Try vanilla buttercream frosting or cream cheese frosting for added sweetness.
A note of caution: Making too many changes to a recipe might impact the final result so it’s recommended to test each substitution or variation in small batches before making large-scale changes.
Serving and Pairing
Once this Old Fashioned Butter Cake is baked to perfection, it’s time to serve and pair it up with some delicious accompaniments. This cake is perfect for any gathering or celebration, and it can be served in various forms with a range of pairings.
To serve this buttery cake, let it cool down to room temperature before slicing it into pieces. You may choose to dust some powdered sugar on top or drizzle caramel or chocolate sauce for added sweetness. The cake itself is sweet and buttery with a tender crumb making for a delightful experience on its own.
This Southern classic can be paired with unsweetened whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an even more indulgent flavor. Add some fresh berries like raspberries, blueberries or strawberries which will complement the rich flavors of the cake.
If you are looking to get a little creative in your serving ideas, you could even transform this basic butter cake into a layer cake by icing each individual layer with caramel frosting. Southerners also love to serve this as a bundt cake for family gatherings and/or parties.
For any special occasion such as birthdays, celebrations or holidays, dress up the Kentucky Butter Pound Cake by adding candles instead of serving it in wedges, so that everyone can sing “Happy Birthday” to their loved ones while enjoying each bite.
No matter how you choose to serve and pair this Old Fashioned Butter Cake recipe at your party, it’s sure to be well-received and enjoyed by your guests with rave reviews guaranteed!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Once you have baked and cooled your old fashioned butter cake, it’s time to think about storage. There are different ways to preserve and store a cake, depending on how long you want to keep it fresh. Here are some tips for making ahead, storing, and reheating your Southern Living Old Fashioned Butter Cake – a cake so amazing that it’s hard not to want to eat all at once.
First, let’s talk about the make-ahead. This butter cake recipe can be made up to two days in advance before being served. Once the cake is completely cooled, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator. This helps prevent dryness while preserving the flavor and texture of the cake.
If you’re planning on storing the cake for more than two days, I recommend freezing it. This cake freezes incredibly well and can last up to 3 months if stored properly. The best way to freeze an old fashioned butter cake is by wrapping each slice individually with plastic wrap, then placing them in an airtight container or freezer storage bag.
To reheat the cake, simply bring it back to room temperature first by taking it out of the fridge or freezer at least 30 minutes before serving. You can also put slices into an oven preheated at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. This will help revive the freshness and gooeyness of the buttery cake.
When it comes to frosting, I recommend frosting the cake right before eating or serving it – whether it was stored in the fridge or in the freezer. If you want to frost ahead of time though, you should opt for a frosting that holds up well like cream cheese frosting or a whipped cream frosting as they don’t separate easily.
With these storage tips, you can enjoy this rich buttery heaven any day of the week without losing quality or flavor!
Tips for Perfect Results
Making a perfect old fashioned butter cake can be challenging, even for experienced bakers. In this section, I am going to provide you with some tips to ensure that your cake turns out perfect every single time you bake it.
First, make sure to use high-quality ingredients such as eggs, butter, and cake flour. Using poor quality ingredients can negatively affect the texture and flavor of the cake. I recommend using unsalted butter because it allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe.
When measuring your ingredients, make sure to measure accurately. Too much or too little of an ingredient can result in a cake that is either dry or dense. Also, be sure to sift your dry ingredients such as cake flour and baking powder before adding them to the mixture. This will help prevent lumps in your batter and ensure an even distribution of ingredients.
Once all your ingredients are combined, mix them at medium speed until they form a light and fluffy batter. It’s important not to overmix the batter as this can lead to a dense and heavy cake.
Preheat your oven to the correct temperature before putting in the cake. This allows for even baking and ensures that the middle of the cake is cooked properly. When baking, avoid opening the oven door too often as this can cause fluctuations in temperature leading to uneven baking.
Finally, allow your cake to cool completely before removing it from the pan. This helps prevent breakage or sticking to the pan.
By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to making a perfect old fashioned butter cake every time!
FAQ
Now, let’s move on to item (9) FAQ. As an experienced chef who has made this Old Fashioned Butter Cake recipe numerous times, I have a good understanding of the common questions and concerns you may have while making it. Here are some frequently asked questions that I have come across, along with their answers and some additional tips to ensure that your cake turns out perfect every time.
What is Paula Deen’s butter cake?
Get ready to satisfy your sweet cravings with this clone recipe of Paula Deen’s famous Ooey Gooey Butter Cake. With just basic ingredients like cake mix, powdered sugar, cream cheese, and butter, you can easily whip up this homemade dessert.
What is the difference between butter cake and pound cake?
When it comes to southern-style cakes, there are different variations in texture and density. Butter cakes, also known as creamed cakes, have a distinct lighter texture and more volume than pound cakes which tend to be denser. The name of pound cakes actually comes from the original recipe which contained a pound of butter, sugar, flour and eggs.
Why does butter cake become hard?
When making a cake, it’s important to avoid over-mixing the batter. Too much mixing can lead to an excess of air being trapped in the batter, which may cause your cake to collapse and become dense once it’s baked. You should mix the wet and dry ingredients just enough to combine them, and avoid overdoing it. This will help ensure that your cake turns out light and fluffy, as it should be.
What is Kentucky butter cake made of?
The ultimate Kentucky Butter Cake boasts a pound cake base that is whipped to perfection, imbued with delectable hints of vanilla and rum. The cake is then carefully saturated with a heavenly buttery syrup that is infused with vanilla and rum.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Old Fashioned Butter Cake recipe is a must-try for anyone who wishes to indulge in the rich and buttery goodness that Southern-style cuisine has to offer. The recipe is easy to follow and can be customized to suit your tastes and preferences. By experimenting with different flavors and ingredients, you can create a unique cake that will leave your taste buds tingling with delight.
Whether you’re looking for a birthday cake, a layered cake, a bundt cake, or even a caramel cake, the Old Fashioned Butter Cake recipe has got you covered. So why settle for ordinary when you can have an extraordinary Southern-style cake that will be the talk of the town?
Try this recipe today, and I guarantee that your family and friends will thank you for it. With its light and fluffy texture and its irresistible buttery flavor, the Old Fashioned Butter Cake is sure to become a favorite among all who taste it.
So what are you waiting for? Get baking and experience the joy of Southern-style cuisine!
Southern Living Old Fashioned Butter Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups butter, softened
- 3 cups sugar
- 9 large eggs, separated
- 6 3/4 cups sifted cake flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Grease and flour 1 (12-inch), 1 (9-inch), and 1 (6-inch) round cakepan; set aside.
- Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in extracts.
- Beat egg whites at high speed until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Spoon 2 cups batter into 6-inch pan, 4 cups batter into 9-inch pan, and remaining batter into 12-inch pan.
- Bake at 325° for 40 to 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
- Wrap layers in plastic wrap to prevent drying; chill.
- NOTE: Layers may be wrapped in aluminum foil and frozen for up to 1 month. Unwrap and thaw at room temperature about 2 hours.
- Makes 1 (12-inch) layer, 1 (9-inch) layer, and 1 (6-inch) layer. Frost as desired. Add a fruit cream inbetween for added BAM!