Baking a cake can seem daunting, but with a little bit of knowledge and practice, anyone can do it. Here is a simple recipe for a basic vanilla cake, along with some tips to help you achieve the perfect bake.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cool, frost and decorate as desired.
Tips:
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting
- Do not overmix the batter, as this can result in a tough cake
- Use a light hand when greasing and flouring the pan to prevent sticking
- Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting and decorating.
Congratulations, you have just baked your first cake! With this recipe and a little bit of practice, you’ll be baking delicious cakes in no time. Remember that you can always adjust ingredients or add different flavors to make it your own recipe. Happy baking!