Quick Description
This Old-Fashioned Butter Cake is soft, tender, and beautifully rich—just like the classic cakes grandma used to bake. Made with simple pantry staples, it has a fine crumb, buttery flavor, and a golden top that’s perfect on its own or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Servings & Timing
- Serves: 10–12 slices
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 40–45 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1¼ cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
-
Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round pan or square pan. -
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. -
Add Butter & Wet Ingredients
Add softened butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until smooth and well combined (about 2–3 minutes). -
Bake
Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. -
Cool & Serve
Let cool 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
Why This Cake Never Goes Out of Style
- Classic buttery flavor
- Soft, tender crumb
- Simple ingredients
- Perfect base for fruit, glaze, or frosting
Tips & Variations
- Dust with powdered sugar for a vintage finish
- Serve with berries and whipped cream
- Add lemon zest or almond extract for a twist
- Frost with chocolate or vanilla buttercream if desired
Storage
- Store covered at room temperature for 2 days
- Refrigerate up to 5 days
- Freeze slices up to 2 months
