Easy Butter Cake Variations to Sweeten Your Day
This classic butter cake recipe creates a rich, moist dessert perfect for any occasion. With a soft, tender crumb and layers of buttery flavor, it’s versatile enough to stand alone or be dressed up with glazes, frostings, or fresh fruit.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or one 9×13-inch pan.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture, mixing just until combined.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan(s) and smooth the top.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
-
Always use room-temperature ingredients for the best texture.
-
Avoid overmixing once you add the flour to prevent a dense cake.
-
Substitute sour cream or yogurt for extra moistness in dry climates.
-
For a firmer structure (great for layering), chill the cake before assembling.
-
Customize with extracts, fruits, or nuts to create unique butter cake variations.