Best 5 Basic White Cake Recipes

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Baking a classic white cake is a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations. This versatile cake forms the perfect foundation for any occasion, whether it's a celebratory birthday party, a festive holiday gathering, or a simple homemade treat. With its delicate crumb, fluffy texture, and subtle sweetness, a basic white cake allows for endless customization, making it a blank canvas for your culinary creativity. From simple vanilla frosting to decadent chocolate ganache, or even a burst of fruity flavors, the possibilities are endless. So let's embark on a delightful journey as we explore the secrets of crafting the perfect basic white cake, a timeless classic that will delight taste buds and create lasting memories.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BASIC WHITE LAYER CAKE



Basic White Layer Cake image

Every recipe file should contain a standard delicious cake like this. Topped with your favorite flavor of frosting, it's great for any occasion.-Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 45m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
4 large egg whites
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/3 cups buttermilk
2-1/2 cups frosting of your choice

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition., Spread evenly into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Spread frosting between layers and over the top and sides of cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 370 calories, Fat 12g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 16mg cholesterol, Sodium 292mg sodium, Carbohydrate 61g carbohydrate (44g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.

BASIC WHITE CAKE



Basic White Cake image

Forget the boxed mix! Making a white cake from scratch is so worth it. Our easy version has a moist, tender crumb and pairs well with any frosting.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Yield Makes one 9-by-13-inch cake

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan and wire rack
4 1/2 cups sifted cake flour, plus more for pan
2 tablespoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups sugar
7 large egg whites

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter baking pan. Line bottom with parchment paper; butter paper, and dust with flour, tapping out any excess. Set aside.
  • Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl, and set aside. Combine milk and vanilla in another bowl, and set aside. Beat butter in the bowl of an electric mixture fitted with the paddle attachment until pale and creamy. Add sugar in a steady stream, and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Add dry ingredients in 3 batches, alternating with the milk mixture and starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Be careful to avoid overbeating. Set aside.
  • In a clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold a third of the whites into batter until combined. Fold in remaining whites in 2 batches.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan, and smooth top with a metal spatula. Bake until a tester inserted near the center comes out clean and the cake springs back when pressed lightly in the center, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer to wire rack; cool 15 minutes before unmolding. Butter wire rack. Loosen cake sides with a paring knife, and invert cake onto greased rack. Reinvert to prevent it from splitting. Cool completely before using or storing in the freezer.

BASIC ONE LAYER WHITE CAKE



Basic One Layer White Cake image

When split, this cake can be filled with cream for Boston Cream Pie, or Lemon Curd for a nice spring dessert

Provided by Linda Rider

Categories     Cakes

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 c sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c butter, room temperature
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 c all purpose flour
1/2 Tbsp baking powder
3/4 c milk

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease and dust with flour a single 9-inch round cake pan for a single layer cake. Dust two if you are doubling the recipe for a layer cake.
  • 2. 1. Cream the sugar, salt, and shortening together. Add the egg and beat until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla.
  • 3. 2. In another bowl, mix the flour and baking powder together.
  • 4. 3. Add about one-third of the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix briefly. Add about one-third of the milk and mix. Continue twice more with the remaining flour and milk. Do not over mix. Scrape the batter into the pan.
  • 5. 4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cake tests done with a toothpick. Let the cake rest in the pan for about five minutes and then remove it to a wire rack to continue cooling.

BASIC WHITE SHEET CAKE



Basic White Sheet Cake image

Our classic white sheet cake is the tried-and-true foundation for a traditional birthday cake. The cake ingredients are enough to make one layer; you will need two to assemble the cake.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Yield Makes one 12-by-17-inch layer

Number Of Ingredients 10

18 tablespoons (2 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan and wire rack
4 1/2 cups sifted cake flour (not self-rising), plus more for pan
2 tablespoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon table salt
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
7 large egg whites
White Confectioners' Sugar Icing
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 17-by-12-by-1-inch rimmed sheet pan. Line bottom with parchment, butter parchment, and dust pan with flour, tapping out any excess; set aside.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl, and set aside. Beat the butter in the bowl of an electric mixture fitted with the paddle attachment until it is creamy. Add the sugar to the butter in a steady stream, and continue beating until the butter is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and add dry ingredients alternately with the milk and vanilla in three additions, starting and finishing with the dry ingredients; be careful not to overmix. Set batter aside.
  • In a medium metal bowl or clean bowl of an electric mixer, whisk egg whites just until stiff peaks form. Fold one-third of the egg whites into the batter until combined. Fold in remaining whites in two batches. Pour batter into prepared pan, and smooth top with a metal spatula. Bake until a tester inserted near the center comes out clean and the cake springs back when pressed lightly in the center, about 30 minutes. Let pan cool 15 minutes on a wire rack before unmolding. Loosen the sides with a small metal spatula or paring knife, and invert onto greased wire rack. To prevent the layer from splitting, invert again so that the top is up. Cool completely before assembling cake or wrapping airtight to freeze cake for later. While this layer cools, repeat steps with a second batch of ingredients for a second cake layer.
  • To assemble, trim tops of each layer so they are flat. Place one layer of cake on serving platter. Set aside, covered, 1 cup of the icing for coloring. Spread top of cake layer with 1/4-inch layer of the icing, and cover with second cake layer. Frost cake, using remaining icing. Chill cake.
  • Place chocolate in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir, using a plastic spatula, until melted. Remove bowl from heat, and set aside to cool for about 15 minutes, until no longer warm but still liquid. Roll a parchment triangle into a tight cone. Fill halfway with melted chocolate. Roll down the top of the cone like you are rolling a tube of toothpaste. Avoid overfilling, because it will be harder to pipe decorations. Remove cake from refrigerator; using sharp kitchen shears, cut a very small hole in tip of filled cone. Pipe desired decoration with chocolate; set aside for 10 minutes to set. Color remaining cup of icing, if desired; pipe designs on cake.

BASIC WHITE CAKE



Basic White Cake image

Here's a basic white cake that utilizes a slightly different mixing method that ensures success every time. This cake is slightly off white due to the butter and extract. It's a classic wedding cake. Cover with any flavor classic butter cream.

Provided by Steve_G

Categories     Dessert

Time 55m

Yield 1 nine inch cake, 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 large egg whites
1 cup milk
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups sifted cake flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups superfine sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes and then sit out to soften

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease two 9-inch x 1 1/2 inch cake plans line bottoms with parchment paper grease bottom and flour entire pan.
  • Prepare magic cake strips if using.
  • In a medium bowl lightly combine the egg whites, 1/4 cup milk, and vanilla, beat lightly with a fork to combine In a large mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients and mix on low speed for 30 seconds to blend.
  • Add the butter and remaining 3/4 cup milk.
  • Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened.
  • Beat for 90 seconds at medium speed to develop cake structure.
  • Stop mixer, scrape down the sides.
  • Gradually add the egg/milk/vanilla mixture in 3 batches, beating 20 seconds after each addition.
  • Stop mixer, scrape down the sides and give it a final mix by hand.
  • Pour the batter in the prepared pans and smooth surface.
  • (Pans will be half full.) Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean and the cake springs back when pressed lightly in center.
  • (The cakes should start to shrink from the sides of pans after taking them out of the oven.) Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a buttered rack.
  • Reinvert cakes so that tops are right side up.
  • Cool to room temperature and wrap tightly with plastic wrap.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 344.6, Fat 12.6, SaturatedFat 7.8, Cholesterol 33.4, Sodium 297.2, Carbohydrate 53.2, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 25.2, Protein 4.8

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment you'll need. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: When a recipe calls for room temperature ingredients, it's important to follow that instruction. This will help the ingredients blend together more easily and create a smoother batter.
  • Creaming Butter and Sugar: When creaming butter and sugar together, be sure to do it until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will help incorporate air into the batter, resulting in a lighter, more tender cake.
  • Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: When adding dry ingredients to the batter, do it gradually and in small amounts. This will help prevent the batter from becoming lumpy.
  • Do Not Overmix: Overmixing the batter can result in a tough, dense cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Proper Baking Temperature: Make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature before baking the cake. This will help ensure that the cake bakes evenly.
  • Cooling the Cake: Once the cake is done baking, let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help prevent the cake from falling apart.

Conclusion:

With careful preparation, precise measurements, and attention to detail, you can create a moist, fluffy, and delicious white cake that will impress your family and friends. Remember to follow the tips and instructions provided in the recipe, and don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors and decorations to make your cake unique. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, baking a white cake is a great way to practice your skills and enjoy a classic dessert.

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