Butter Cake (Vanilla Sponge Cak)
Recipe video above. An exceptional, classic butter cake made with basic pantry staples. Tender crumb, moist, keeps well for 3 days. Slightly adapted from a Cook's Illustrated master recipe - refer to notes. I prefer making this recipe using a handheld beater rather than a stand mixer.Want to ste
Foto: RecipeTin Eats
Ingredients
- 225 g / 2 sticks unsalted butter (, cut into 8 pieces and softened)
- 4 large eggs ((55 - 65g / 2 - 2.5 oz each), at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup / 125 ml milk ((whole or low fat, not no fat), room temperature)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups / 265g plain flour ((all purpose flour, 7 oz) (Note 1))
- 1/4 cup cornflour / cornstarch ((Note 1))
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups / 330g caster sugar / superfine sugar ((normal white sugar also ok))
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cups / 625 ml whipping cream
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 400 g / 14 oz strawberries (, halved (1 1/2 punnets))
Steps
-
Preheat oven to 180C/350F (standard) or 160C/320F (fan / convection). Put the rack in the middle of the oven.
-
Butter 2 x 20cm / 8" cake pans (Note 2). Line the base with baking paper.
-
Place Wet ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine.
-
Place Dry ingredients in a bowl and use a handheld beater on speed 1 (slowest) to quickly whisk.
-
Add 1/3 of the butter, then put the beater whisk in the butter, and mix using speed 1. Once the butter is incorporated a bit, speed up to 5 and whisk for 10 seconds.
-
Add another 1/3 of the butter then repeat, then add remaining butter and repeat again. It should look like wet sand (see video / photos in post).
-
Add half the Wet mixture, beat until incorporated. Add remaining Wet mixture, then beat on speed 5 (medium) until almost completely smooth.
-
Divide between cake pans, smooth surface (it levels out in the oven), then bake for 25 minutes.
-
A skewer inserted into the middle should come out clean but moist.
-
Cool on cooling rack for at least 15 minutes then remove cake from pan.
-
Optional: Use a serrated knife (I use a bread knife) to cut the top off each cake to make it completely flat. This makes neat layers when you cut into the cake.
-
Place cream, vanilla and sugar in a bowl. Beat on high with a handheld beater or stand mixer until firm peaks form.
-
If piping little swirls around the edge like in the photos, transfer 1 cup of cream into a piping bag fitted with a large star nozzle.
-
Place a cake on a serving platter. Spread a thin layer of cream over the top.
-
Cover with strawberries, cut side down.
-
Top with 1/3 of the cream.
-
Place 2nd cake on top. Cover top and sides with remaining cream. Pipe cream around the edge.
-
Decorate with remaining strawberries, as desired.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Macronutrients
*DV = Daily Value based on a 2,000 calorie diet
π° Cost Estimate
π Price Breakdown (8% ingredients detected)
| Ingredient | Amount | Unit Price | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| / 2 sticks unsalted butter | 225 g | - | - |
| large eggs | 4 | - | - |
| / 125 ml milk | 0.5 cup | - | - |
| vanilla extract | 2 tsp | - | - |
| / 265g plain flour | 0.25 cups | - | - |
| cornflour / cornstarch | 0.25 cup | - | - |
| baking powder | 2 tsp | Rp 8.000/100g | Rp 800 |
| / 330g caster sugar / superfine sugar | 0.5 cups | - | - |
| salt | 0.75 tsp | - | - |
| / 625 ml whipping cream | 1 cups | - | - |
| white sugar | 2 tbsp | - | - |
| vanilla extract | 1 tsp | - | - |
| / 14 oz strawberries | 400 g | - | - |
*Estimated market prices, may vary by region


















Loading comments...