The Best White Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to a perfect cake? ›

Vanilla extract is usually added to the batter to give the cake its distinctive taste. While the texture of vanilla cake can be light and fluffy like white cake, it can also be denser and moister, depending on the recipe. Vanilla cake is a great choice for those who prefer a cake with more flavor than white cake.

There's a big chance your butter and sugar will over-cream, meaning the butter will trap more air than it should. As the batter bakes, that extra air will deflate and leave you with an overly dense cake. It's all science! For best results, cream butter and sugar together for about 1-2 minutes.

Applesauce acts much like the fat. It keeps the flour protein from mixing completely with the wet ingredients and forming a rubbery, dense texture. This is what does applesauce do in baking.

Simple syrup is a great all-purpose glaze for cakes and fruitcakes, adding moisture and a bit of sweetness. It's also a key element in certain mixed drinks.

Let me introduce you to the cake soak.

When you do this, the cake integrates moisture and flavor, and the sweetened liquid helps preserve the cake's freshness, so a slice can taste just as delicious a couple days after baking.

It's common for a white cake only to use egg whites, which gives you a purer “white” color and light texture. I like using the whole egg for a more decadent, slightly denser cake for this white cake recipe with a subtle vanilla flavor.

White cake is a type of cake that is often vanilla flavored and made without egg yolks. White cakes can be butter cakes or sponge cakes. Angel food cake is a type of sponge cake that is considered a white cake because it is made using only egg whites.

What is wedding cake flavor? ›

The wedding cake flavor is how the cake actually tastes. This includes the cake batter, fillings, frosting, icing or other toppings, which all ultimately affect the taste. Wedding cakes often have more than one flavor, which makes it easier to incorporate both your and your partner's preferences.

Consider using a pedestal stand for added height and drama. Make sure the surface is clean and free of any smudges or crumbs. Additionally, you can adorn the base of the cake with decorative elements such as edible pearls, gold leaf, or sugar flowers to create a visually appealing and luxurious look.

Use extracts and flavorings.

Since extracts are more concentrated, however, they typically create richer, more natural tastes. To experiment with different extracts, consider starting with a cake recipe that already contains vanilla extract.

Step 1: Look at the directions on the cake mix. Step 2: Add one more egg (or add 2 if you want it to be very rich). Step 3: Use melted butter instead of oil and double the amount. Step 4: Instead of water, use whole milk.

Add a leavening agent to the flour. Most cakes will call for a leavening agent like baking powder or baking soda. These create the bubbles you need for the cake to rise. If the flour you use is self-raising, it already has a leavening agent in it.

In order to bake cake evenly, you have to insulate its edges. Preventing the temperature of batter at the edge from increasing quickly allows the cake to rise longer before it sets. A cake whose edges rise at nearly the same rate as its center will remain flat across the top — no dome, perfect for stacking and icing.

Similarly to using expired leaveners, letting your batter sit for too long before cooking will result in a heavy and dense cake. Fortunately, the solution is simple — be sure to preheat your oven as you mix up your batter, and pop the cake in to cook as soon as possible.

When left out at room temperature without any covering, a baked cake—even a frosted cake—dries out quickly. A better way to store cake is to cover it in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. This seals in moisture and prevents air from drying out the cake. Store cupcakes in an airtight container.