05/21/2024
# # # My Very Best Vanilla Cake – Stays Moist 4 Days!
**Ingredients:**
*For the Cake:*
- 2 cups plain / all-purpose flour (cake flour OK too)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cooking salt (kosher salt)
- 4 large eggs (50 - 55g / 2 oz each), at room temp
- 1 1/2 cups caster / superfine sugar (granulated/regular ok too)
- 115g / 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1.5cm / 1/2” cubes
- 1 cup milk, full-fat
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tsp vegetable or canola oil
*For the Vanilla Buttercream:*
- 225g / 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 500g / 1 lb soft icing sugar / powdered sugar, sifted
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 - 4 tbsp milk, to adjust thickness
**Instructions:**
*Preparation:*
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan) for 20 minutes before starting the batter. Place the shelf in the middle of the oven.
2. Grease 2 x 20cm / 8” cake pans with butter, then line with parchment / baking paper.
*Combine Dry Ingredients:*
3. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
*Beat Eggs until Aerated:*
4. Beat eggs for 30 seconds on speed 6 of a Stand Mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, or hand be**er.
5. Slowly add sugar over 45 seconds while still beating. Then beat for 7 minutes on speed 8, or until tripled in volume and white.
*Finish Cake Batter:*
6. While eggs are beating, place butter and milk in a heatproof jug and microwave for 2 minutes on high to melt butter (or use stove).
7. When the egg is whipped, scatter 1/3 flour across the surface, then beat on Speed 1 for 5 seconds. Add half remaining flour, then mix on Speed 1 for 5 sec. Add remaining flour, then mix on Speed 1 for 5 - 10 sec until just mixed in.
8. Combine milk, vanilla, and oil. Pour hot milk mixture into the now-empty flour bowl. Add about 1 1/2 cups of the Egg Batter into the Milk-Butter and mix until smooth.
9. Slowly pour the Milk mixture into the Egg Batter over 15 seconds while the be**er is on, then turn off the be**er. Scrape down sides and base of bowl, then beat on Speed 1 for 10 seconds until smooth and pourable.
*Bake:*
10. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bang each cake pan on the counter 3 times to knock out big bubbles.
11. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
*Cool & Frost:*
12. Remove from oven. Cool in cake pans for 15 minutes, then gently turn out onto cooling racks. If using as layer cakes, cool upside down.
13. Once cake layers are fully cool, top with Vanilla Buttercream or frosting of choice.
*Vanilla Buttercream:*
14. Beat butter with paddle attachment in a stand mixer for 3 minutes on high until fluffy and creamy.
15. Gradually add icing sugar / powdered sugar in 3 lots, beating slowly, then beat on high for 3 minutes until fluffy.
16. Add vanilla and milk, then beat for a further 30 seconds. Use milk only if needed to adjust thickness.
Enjoy your incredibly moist and delicious Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Buttercream! 🎂