Description
This classic Vanilla Butter Cake features a moist, tender crumb complemented by a smooth, creamy vanilla frosting. Baked to perfection in a Bundt pan, it’s a delightful dessert that’s perfect for celebrations or a simple treat with tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 2 ½ cups sugar
- 5 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup half-and-half
- 1½ Tbsp vanilla extract
Frosting
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 to 4 Tbsp milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp meringue powder
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325ºF. Spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray combined with flour to ensure the cake does not stick. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates a good texture for the batter.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition to incorporate them smoothly without overmixing.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to remove any lumps and to evenly distribute the baking powder and salt through the flour.
- Mix Batter: Alternately add the sifted dry ingredients and half-and-half to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition to keep the batter light and aerated. Stir in the vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted into the cake’s center comes out clean.
- Cool Cake: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then carefully remove the cake from the pan and allow it to cool completely on the wire rack for about 30 minutes.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the powdered sugar, milk (start with 3 Tbsp and add more if needed), vanilla extract, and meringue powder with an electric mixer until the frosting is light and fluffy and of a spreadable consistency.
- Frost Cake: Spoon and spread the frosting over the completely cooled cake evenly. Serve immediately or store appropriately.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for best mixing results and fluffier texture.
- The use of a Bundt pan gives this cake an elegant shape and allows for even baking.
- You can adjust the milk quantity in the frosting to achieve your preferred consistency.
- Use a long wooden pick or skewer to test doneness to avoid underbaking.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
