Print Options:

Best Butter Cake





Total Time
35 mins

This recipe for buttery cake layers can be used with a variety of frostings. For an impressive presentation, slice each layer horizontally to make a beautiful four-layer dessert.

Best Butter Cake




Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto
 2 1/4 cups cake flour
 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
 1 teaspoon salt
 1 1/4 cups sugar
  About 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
 2 large eggs
 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
 2/3 cup milk
Step 1
1

Preheat oven to 350°. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat sugar and 1/2 cup butter until creamy. Crack eggs into a small dish (do not beat) and add vanilla. Add eggs to the butter mixture 1 at a time, scraping down the inside of the bowl as needed. Beat in flour mixture and milk in alternating batches, starting and ending with the flour and making sure each addition is fully incorporated before adding the next.

Step 2
2

Butter and flour 2 round 8-in. cake pans. Divide batter evenly between pans.

Step 3
3

Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 4
4

Cool cakes 5 minutes. Invert onto a rack, remove pans, and let cool to room temperature, at least 40 minutes.

Step 5
5

Make ahead: Up to 2 days, wrapped in plastic wrap and chilled.

Step 6
6

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 361Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 11g56%
Cholesterol 84mg29%
Sodium 253mg11%
Total Carbohydrate 48g16%

Dietary Fiber 1.5g6%
Protein 3.8g8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.