Easy Cake Recipe: A Beginner's Guide to Baking Success
This easy cake recipe is perfect for beginner bakers! It's simple, delicious, and requires minimal ingredients and equipment. Let's get baking!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe uses common ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. No special trips to the store required!
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour: This provides the structure for your cake.
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder: The leavening agent that makes your cake rise beautifully.
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda: Another leavening agent, working in tandem with the baking powder.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and moisture. Make sure it's softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
- 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a tender crumb.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a delightful flavor. Feel free to experiment with other extracts like almond or lemon!
- 1 cup (240ml) milk: Adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb.
Equipment You'll Need:
You don't need fancy equipment for this recipe. Here's what you'll need:
- Mixing bowls: Two medium-sized bowls are sufficient.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are key to baking success.
- 9x13 inch baking pan: This is a standard size, but you can adjust the baking time if using a different size pan.
- Electric mixer (handheld or stand): Makes mixing the batter much easier, but you can use a whisk if you prefer a good arm workout!
- Spatula or wooden spoon: For mixing and scraping down the sides of the bowl.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Follow these simple steps for a perfectly baked cake:
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your 9x13 inch baking pan. This prevents the cake from sticking.
Step 2: Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This incorporates air into the batter, resulting in a lighter cake.
Step 4: Add Eggs & Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Step 5: Combine Wet & Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 6: Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool & Enjoy!
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before frosting or serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade cake!
Tips for Success:
- Room temperature ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for optimal creaming and mixing.
- Don't overmix: Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake.
- Check for doneness: Use a wooden skewer or toothpick to check if the cake is baked through.
- Let it cool: Allowing the cake to cool slightly in the pan prevents it from crumbling when you frost it (if you choose to frost it!).
This easy cake recipe is a great starting point. Feel free to experiment with different frostings, fillings, and add-ins to create your own unique variations! Happy baking!
