Heavenly Old-Fashioned Butter Cake Recipe for Sweet Nostalgia

Butter cake holds a special place in my culinary memories, bringing warmth and nostalgia to every kitchen.

Memories of grandmothers whisking batter dance through my mind with each slice.

Sweet aromas wafting from the oven create instant comfort and connection.

Simple ingredients come together in a magical blend of tradition and love.

Soft, tender crumbs promise a delightful experience that speaks to generations of home baking.

Baking this classic treat connects you with cherished moments and timeless flavors.

Indulge in this beloved recipe and let its delicious magic unfold.

Why This Old-Fashioned Butter Cake Shines Bright

• Celebrate Simplicity: Classic butter cake recipe brings back nostalgic memories with its straightforward ingredients and traditional baking method.
• Master Quick Baking: Minimal steps and basic pantry staples make this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced home cooks.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Rich chocolate frosting and tender cake layers create an irresistible treat that appeals to both kids and adults at family gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations.
• Versatile Comfort Food: Easy to customize with different frostings or add-ins, this butter cake serves as a delightful base for endless sweet variations and creative twists.

Ingredients for the Old-Fashioned Butter Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cake that provides structure and texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and contributes to the cake's soft, moist texture.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet aroma.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and provide structure to the cake.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors in the cake.

• Butter: Creates a rich, creamy base for the chocolate frosting.
• Hershey's Cocoa: Provides deep chocolate flavor and dark color.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Milk: Helps achieve the right spreading consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the chocolate flavor.

Baking Instructions for Butter Cake From Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm up your oven to 350F. Generously coat two 8-inch round cake pans with butter and flour, ensuring every corner is covered.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a silky smooth dry mixture.

Step 3: Create Cake Base

Add softened butter, milk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.

Whip with a hand mixer for 2 minutes, making sure to scrape bowl sides for even mixing.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs

Gently fold in eggs and continue beating for another 2 minutes until the batter becomes light and fluffy.

Step 5: Fill Cake Pans

Evenly distribute the batter between prepared pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula for a perfectly level surface.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide pans into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool Cake Layers

Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a cooling rack to reach room temperature.

Chocolate Frosting Creation

Step 1: Melt Butter

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until completely liquid.

Step 2: Add Chocolate Base

Stir in Hershey’s cocoa until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform.

Step 3: Create Frosting Texture

• Powdered sugar
• Milk

Alternate between ingredients until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.

Step 4: Enhance Flavor

Mix in vanilla extract for a rich, deep taste.

Step 5: Frost the Cake

Once cake layers are completely cool, generously spread chocolate frosting between layers and over the entire cake.

Great Advice on Butter Cake Preparation

• Leave butter out at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before baking to ensure smooth, even mixing without lumps.
• Insert a toothpick into cake's center; if it comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is perfectly baked.
• Mix ingredients for full 2 minutes to incorporate air, creating a lighter, fluffier cake texture that melts in your mouth.
• Add milk or powdered sugar gradually to achieve the ideal spreadable frosting that's not too runny or too thick.
• Keep frosted cake covered at room temperature for 3-4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain freshness and moisture.

Unique Touches for Old-Fashioned Butter Cake

• Citrus Burst Cake: Replace vanilla extract with fresh orange or lemon zest and add 2 tablespoons of citrus juice to enhance the cake's brightness and create a tangy flavor profile.
• Spiced Comfort Cake: Mix in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and a pinch of ground ginger to transform the classic butter cake into a warm, aromatic dessert.
• Nutty Crunch Cake: Fold 1/2 cup of chopped toasted almonds or pecans into the batter before baking, adding texture and a rich, nutty undertone to the traditional recipe.

Great Choices to Eat with Butter Cake

• Savor Sweet Chocolate Companions
• Pair a slice of this rich butter cake with a robust coffee to balance its sweetness and enhance the chocolate frosting's depth.
• Boost Wine Flavor Harmony
• Match the cake with a medium-bodied port wine, whose sweet and slightly tannic notes complement the dessert's buttery texture and chocolate undertones.
• Elevate Dairy Delight
• Serve alongside cold vanilla bean ice cream, creating a creamy contrast that softens the cake's richness and provides a refreshing palate cleanser.
• Craft Beverage Fusion
• Enjoy with a classic hot cocoa, which mirrors the chocolate frosting and creates a comforting, indulgent experience that amplifies the cake's warm, homemade essence.

How to Keep Butter Cake Soft and Moist

Store covered cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.

Carefully wrap the unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.

Keep individual slices in sealed containers or wrap separately in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 3-4 days, maintaining moisture and freshness.

Warm refrigerated cake slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds at 50% power. For best texture, let cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore softness.

FAQs

• Why is sifting flour important in this recipe?

Sifting helps break up any lumps, aerates the flour, and ensures a smoother, more even cake texture with no clumpy spots.

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate the added salt in the recipe to prevent the cake from becoming too salty.

• How do I know if I've beaten the batter correctly?

The mixture should look smooth, creamy, and slightly fluffy, with no visible butter chunks after mixing for the recommended time.

• What if my eggs are cold?

Let eggs sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using to help them blend more evenly into the batter and create a more consistent cake texture.

Old-Fashioned Butter Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Grandma’s classic old-fashioned butter cake brings nostalgic comfort straight from her cherished kitchen. Buttery, golden layers promise rich memories and sweet moments you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
• 2/3 cup Hershey’s cocoa
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and prepare two 8-inch round cake pans with grease and flour.
2. Sift dry ingredients including flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large mixing bowl.
3. Incorporate softened butter, milk, and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients, using a hand mixer to blend thoroughly for 2 minutes, ensuring to scrape bowl sides.
4. Introduce eggs to the mixture and continue beating for an additional 2 minutes until batter becomes smooth and uniform.
5. Evenly distribute batter between prepared pans, carefully smoothing the surface to create level layers.
6. Transfer pans to preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted into cake center.
7. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack to reach room temperature.
8. For chocolate frosting, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
9. Whisk Hershey’s cocoa into melted butter until completely integrated and smooth.
10. Gradually blend powdered sugar and milk, alternating additions to achieve spreadable consistency, adjusting with extra milk if necessary.
11. Fold in vanilla extract to enhance frosting flavor.
12. Once cakes have completely cooled, generously apply chocolate frosting between layers and across cake surfaces.

Notes

• Soften butter at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to ensure smooth, even mixing and better cake texture.
• Sift dry ingredients thoroughly to eliminate lumps and create a lighter, more delicate cake crumb.
• Use room temperature eggs to help them blend more evenly and create a smoother batter consistency.
• Check cake doneness by gently pressing the center – it should spring back when touched and have a golden-brown surface.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum.
• Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain moisture and freshness.
• Enhance chocolate frosting by adding a pinch of espresso powder to intensify the cocoa flavor without making it taste like coffee.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg