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Grandma's Old Fashioned Butter Cake Recipe

Grandma's Old Fashioned Butter Cake

A tender, golden American-style butter cake with a delicate crumb and rich buttery flavor. It is delicious plain or finished with powdered sugar, berries, whipped cream, or a simple glaze.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup (226 g) Unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400 g) Granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs Large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
  • 3 cups (360 g) All-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon Baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
Wet Ingredients
  • 1 cup (240 ml) Whole milk

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Grease and flour a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
  3. Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar for 3–5 minutes, until pale, light, and fluffy.
  4. Add the room-temperature eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
  5. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the whole milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix only until the batter is combined.
  6. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 40–50 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Cool the cake in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer it to a rack. Serve plain or with your favorite topping.

Notes

Use room-temperature butter, eggs, and milk for a smooth batter and even crumb. Do not overmix once the flour is added. For a Bundt or tube pan, grease every groove carefully and dust it with flour; bake for 50–60 minutes.