The Best Butter Cake Recipe: Moist, Fluffy & Irresistible

Sweet memories often begin with a classic butter cake that sparks nostalgia and comfort.

Baking this delightful treat connects generations through shared culinary traditions.

Soft, tender crumbs melt in your mouth with each delectable bite.

Butter creates a rich, golden canvas that transforms simple ingredients into something magical.

Home kitchens come alive with the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked goodness.

Simple yet sophisticated, this recipe promises a slice of pure happiness.

What Makes Butter Cake Recipe a Go-To Treat

• Whip Up Effortless Delights: This butter cake recipe welcomes bakers of all skill levels, making it perfect for beginners eager to create something delicious without complex techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with classic flavors and a soft, tender crumb, this cake brings instant joy to family gatherings, potlucks, and casual celebrations.
• Versatile Kitchen Companion: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps mean you can easily customize the cake with different flavor extracts or add a quick frosting for extra indulgence.
• Quick Dessert Solution: Minimal preparation and basic pantry staples allow you to transform everyday ingredients into a scrumptious treat in just a few simple steps.

Butter Cake Ingredients You’ll Need

• Butter: A rich, creamy base that adds flavor and tender texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a light cake structure.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to the cake's richness.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter.
• Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structural component of the cake.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances and brings out the other flavors.

• Butter, Flour: Used for greasing and preparing the cake pan to prevent sticking.

Classic Butter Cake Preparation Guide

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Grab an 8-inch cake pan and give it a loving coat of butter and a dusting of flour to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

In a mixing bowl, whip together butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy, light cloud. Gently introduce eggs one by one, letting each one blend in completely before adding the next.

Step 3: Prepare the Dry Teammates

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk them together until they’re perfectly united.

Step 4: Dance of Ingredients

Time for the delicate mixing dance! Slowly alternate adding your dry ingredient mixture and milk to the creamy butter mixture. Start with dry ingredients and end with dry ingredients. This technique ensures a smooth, dreamy batter. Stir in vanilla for that extra magical touch.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour your silky batter into the prepared pan. Slide it into the waiting oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean after a gentle poke.

Step 6: Cooling Down

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, allowing it to catch its breath. Then gently transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely, releasing its irresistible aroma.

Tips to Perfect Your Butter Cake

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Take butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to reach room temperature for smooth, even creaming.
• Measure Flour Accurately: Use the spoon-and-level method to prevent dense cake by avoiding packed flour in measuring cups.
• Mix Gently: Fold ingredients carefully to maintain air bubbles, ensuring a light and fluffy cake texture without overmixing.
• Check Doneness Smartly: Insert a toothpick at a 45-degree angle into the cake's center to get a more accurate reading of complete baking.
• Enhance Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of almond extract or lemon zest to complement the classic vanilla butter cake and create a subtle depth of flavor.

Butter Cake: Tips For Storage And Reheating

• Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Slice the cake, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
• Keep the cake covered at room temperature for 2-3 days if the room is cool and dry. Use a cake dome or plastic container to prevent drying out.
• Warm refrigerated or frozen slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Alternatively, let frozen cake thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

Butter Cake Delicious Pairing Picks

• Pair Creamy Coffee with Cake: A rich, smooth latte or cappuccino complements the butter cake's buttery sweetness, creating a delightful morning or afternoon treat.
• Serve with Fresh Berries: Tangy raspberries or strawberries cut through the cake's richness, adding a bright, refreshing contrast to each decadent bite.
• Match with Vanilla Custard: A silky, smooth vanilla custard sauce drizzled over warm butter cake elevates the dessert, enhancing its classic, comforting flavor profile.
• Accompany with Sweet Dessert Wine: A light moscato or late-harvest riesling pairs beautifully, its subtle sweetness harmonizing with the cake's delicate buttery notes.

Butter Cake Mix-In Ideas

• Gluten-Free Butter Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the mix contains xanthan gum for proper texture and structure.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Swap butter with coconut oil and use almond milk instead of regular milk, creating a lighter yet moist cake suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Low-Sugar Version: Substitute half the sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall calories while maintaining the cake's rich flavor profile.
• Vegan Butter Cake: Use plant-based butter alternative, replace eggs with mashed banana or applesauce, and select non-dairy milk to craft a completely animal-product-free dessert.

FAQs

• Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While possible, butter provides the best flavor and texture. Margarine might alter the cake’s richness and taste.

• How do I know my cake is perfectly mixed?

The batter should look smooth and light, with no flour lumps visible. When you lift the mixer, the batter should fall smoothly off the beater.

• What if I don't have an 8-inch pan?

You can use a 9-inch pan, but reduce baking time by 5 minutes and check doneness early. The cake might be slightly thinner but still delicious.

• Why do I add dry and wet ingredients alternately?

This technique prevents overmixing and helps create a tender, even crumb by gradually incorporating ingredients without developing too much gluten.

Butter Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent butter cake whispers sweet comfort from grandma’s kitchen, promising pure culinary bliss. Moist crumb and rich flavor invite warm memories, drawing you into a delectable slice of homemade happiness.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Ingredients:

• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (313 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups (250 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancer:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a pristine 8-inch cake pan by generously coating with butter and a light dusting of flour. Position the oven rack in the center and heat to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, whip room-temperature butter and granulated sugar until the mixture transforms into a fluffy, pale landscape with increased volume.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly blending each before adding the next, ensuring a smooth and homogeneous mixture.
4. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate vessel, creating a uniform dry ingredient blend.
5. Gradually introduce the dry ingredients and milk into the creamed butter mixture, alternating between the two. Begin and conclude with the dry ingredients to maintain optimal texture.
6. Gently fold in vanilla extract, stirring until the batter achieves a consistent and silky composition.
7. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly with a spatula to create a level surface.
8. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until a inserted toothpick emerges completely clean.
9. Remove from oven and allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, permitting gentle cooling and slight contraction.
10. Carefully invert the cake onto a wire cooling rack, allowing complete cooling before serving or decorating.

Notes

• Soften butter at room temperature for easier creaming and smoother texture, avoiding cold or melted butter.
• Sift dry ingredients to eliminate lumps and ensure even distribution of baking powder for a lighter cake.
• Use full-fat milk for richer flavor, but can substitute with non-dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk for dairy-free version.
• Check cake doneness early to prevent overbaking, as every oven performs differently and can cause dryness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg