The Flourishing Abode

Butter Cake Recipe That Tastes Like It Came Straight Outta Grandma’s Kitchen!

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This image shows a freshly baked golden butter cake resting on a white plate placed over a clean white marble countertop, captured from a top-down view with a soft, natural light aesthetic and no background clutter.

Desserts

Buttery, tender, and unapologetically rich—this cake feels like the velvet curtain call of a Southern kitchen and a Parisian pâtisserie rolled into one. The texture? Think Tokyo castella meets Kentucky pound cake, golden and melt-in-your-mouth with every bite.

Inspired by my travels through Southeast Asia, where sweetened condensed milk is a pantry staple, I learned to coax extra moisture and richness into simple bakes. A touch of clarified butter (ghee) adds a nutty undertone you might not expect—easy to try, unforgettable once you do.

Whether you’re dressing it up with macerated berries or letting it shine solo beside a cup of Assam tea, this butter cake invites experimentation. It’s a lesson in balance—technique meets heart, indulgence meets ease, global flair meets home comfort.

What I Didn’t Expect About This Recipe?

This image shows the butter cake inverted from its pan and cooling on a wire rack placed on a white marble cooktop, with the pan flipped beside it.
  • I thought it’d be too dense, but the cake came out cloud-light—perfect for midweek dessert and weekend brunch.
  • I subbed in brown butter once by accident, and it turned into a warm, toasty revelation—might do it on purpose next time.
  • It freezes like a dream, so I started making double batches—future me always thanks past me.
  • Surprisingly, this butter cake made a big difference in my portion control—I feel full faster, so I naturally eat less.
  • It’s ridiculously good on its own, but with a spoonful of whipped cream and a drizzle of honey? Absolute magic.
This image shows a freshly baked golden butter cake resting on a white plate placed over a clean white marble countertop, captured from a top-down view with a soft, natural light aesthetic and no background clutter.

Butter Cake Recipe

Rich, moist, and delightfully tender, this classic butter cake is a timeless treat perfect for any occasion. With its simple ingredients and buttery vanilla flavor, it bakes up golden and fluffy—ideal for serving on its own or topped with fruit, glaze, or cream.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 people
Calories 210 kcal

Equipment

  • 8-inch square baking pan
  • Mixing bowls (large)
  • Electric mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Sifter or fine mesh sieve
  • Rubber spatula
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Parchment or wax paper

Ingredients
  

  • ½ tsp salt
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cups milk, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan and either line the bottom with parchment or wax paper, or dust it lightly with flour.
    This image shows an 8-inch square silver baking pan being lined with parchment paper on a white marble countertop, ready for the butter cake batter, with a small bowl of flour nearby.
  • In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
    This image shows flour, baking powder, and salt being sifted into a large clear glass mixing bowl using a stainless steel sifter, all placed on a clean white marble cooktop.
  • In a separate large bowl, beat the sugar and butter with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.
    This image shows an egg being added to a creamy butter-sugar mixture inside a clear glass bowl, with a bottle of vanilla extract and a white electric hand mixer resting nearby on a white marble cooktop.
  • Gradually add the flour mixture in 1/2 cup increments, alternating with the milk, and beat briefly after each addition until just combined.
    This image shows flour mixture being added into the glass mixing bowl in 1/2 cup increments, alternating with milk from a clear measuring cup, using a white electric hand mixer over a clean marble cooktop.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
    This image shows smooth pale yellow butter cake batter being spread evenly into a greased 8-inch silver square baking pan using a white rubber spatula, placed on a white marble cooktop.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
    This image shows the butter cake batter in its square pan being placed into a preheated oven, with the oven door open and the white marble cooktop visible below.
  • Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a wire rack and allow it to cool completely.
    This image shows the butter cake inverted from its pan and cooling on a wire rack placed on a white marble cooktop, with the pan flipped beside it.

Notes

  • Bring eggs and butter to room temperature for better mixing and texture.
  • Don’t overmix the batter—stop as soon as everything is incorporated to keep the cake tender.
NutritionValue
Calories210kcal
Carbohydrates30g
Fat9g
Protein3g
Cholesterol53g

Tips To Ease Your Job!

  1. Bring eggs and butter to room temperature for better mixing and texture.
  2. Don’t overmix the batter—stop as soon as everything is incorporated to keep the cake tender.
  3. You can use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour for an even lighter crumb.
  4. Add a teaspoon of lemon zest or almond extract for a subtle flavor twist.

Tags:

butter recipes / cake recipes / Creative Cake Ideas / homemade cake recipes

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