:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/buttermilk-cake-recipe-2215916-hero-01-5c90119546e0fb0001f8d0d7.jpg)
The Spruce
Buttermilk cake is light yet flavorful. It's also a snap to make. This recipe will make a single 8 x 8-inch cake, perfect for serving as is with coffee or tea with its simple sprinkling of sugar on top. You can dress it up in a lovely way with sweet, delicate berries alongside, or frost it with vanilla or chocolate buttercream or cream cheese frosting.
For a larger sheet cake or making a layer cake of two layers, you can double the recipe. You will need to adjust the baking time for a sheet cake, with 35 to 45 minutes for a doubled single-layer cake in a 7 x 10 x 2-inch pan. If you make 8-inch round layers, no baking time adjustment is needed.
Ingredients
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
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1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg, optional
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2/3 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
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1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
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1 large egg
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1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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1/2 cup buttermilk
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1/4 teaspoon lemon extract, optional
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Preheat an oven to 400 F.
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In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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If you want to add some spice, add that to the flour mixture (but know the cake is perfectly lovely without any spice). Set this dry mixture aside.
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In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter together until the mixture turns much lighter in color and very fluffy.
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Scrape down sides of the bowl to bring the mixture together again and beat in the egg and vanilla until thoroughly combined, at least 30 seconds.
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Add half of the buttermilk and stir to combine.
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Add half the flour mixture and stir to combine.
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Repeat with the remaining buttermilk and flour mixtures until everything is in the bowl making a lovely smooth, if quite thick, batter.
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Scrape the batter into an 8 x 8-inch baking pan, smooth the top, and sprinkle with a bit of sugar for a prettier crust.
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Bake until golden and a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean—about 25 minutes.
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Let cool on a cooling rack until the cake pulls away from the edges of the pan—10 to 15 minutes.
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Cut pieces or slices and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
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Buttermilk Substitute
If you are out of buttermilk but want to make this simple cake, you can make fake but serviceable buttermilk. Add 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar in 1/2 cup of milk and letting it sit out for 10 to 15 minutes. It won't be real buttermilk, but it will have the thickness and tang needed for this cake. Alternatively, use plain, unsweetened yogurt for a yummy yogurt cake. It will be a tad heavier but just as delicious.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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189 | Calories |
7g | Fat |
30g | Carbs |
3g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 6 to 8 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 189 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 7g | 9% |
Saturated Fat 4g | 20% |
Cholesterol 39mg | 13% |
Sodium 259mg | 11% |
Total Carbohydrate 30g | 11% |
Dietary Fiber 0g | 2% |
Total Sugars 18g | |
Protein 3g | |
Vitamin C 0mg | 1% |
Calcium 42mg | 3% |
Iron 1mg | 5% |
Potassium 51mg | 1% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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