Basic Vanilla Butter Cake

Hi guys!

I am sorry I haven't been posting as regularly as I'd wanted to lately, but I promise to try getting at least two posts each week in my schedule. With the cooler weather having arrived, I like nothing better than getting my reading for university done with a nice piece of cake and a cup of tea of coffee by my side. So today's recipe is for all those among you who want a good result without a lot of extra work such as shopping for exotic ingredients. This basic cake comes from the latest edition of the Donna Hay Magazine which features a big section on Classic Cakes as Donna calls them. It is indeed basic - nothing fancy or extraordinary about this cake, but its simplicity is as soothing as it is alluring. 

Here's the recipe:

1 1/2 cups (225g) all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
120g (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (220g) superfine sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup (125ml) milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1) Preheat the oven to 160°C (325°F). Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl and set aside. 

2) Place the butter in an electric mixer and beat on medium speed for 3-4 minutes or until smooth. Gradually add the sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, and continue beating for 5-6 minutes or until very pale and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs, one after the other. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. 

3) Reduce speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture and milk, alternating and ocasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl, until smooth. Add the vanilla and beat until just combined. 

4) Spoon into a lightly greased loaf tin lined with non-stick baking paper and bake for 55-60 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Allow to cool in tin for 10 minutes turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

Serves: 8-10 (according to recipe), easily 12 thick or 16 thin slices
Active preparation time: about 20 minutes
Total preparation time: 1 hours 20 minutes
© Copyright: Donna Hay Magazine, Spring 2012, October/November 2012

Here's how mine turned out:

This cake is as easy as it gets, but the result is a perfect cake with a rich vanilla flavour and beautiful texture.

Have fun trying!