How to Bake a Simple Cake for Beginners: Easy Vanilla Cake Recipe

This post is all about how to bake a simple cake for beginners.

Baking a cake can seem like a daunting task for beginners, but with a little bit of know-how and practice, it can be a fun and rewarding experience.

In this post, we will go over the basic steps and ingredients needed to bake a simple cake that is both delicious and easy to make.

Ingredients

Before we begin, it is important to gather all of the necessary ingredients and equipment. For this recipe, you will need:

• 1 1/4 cups cake flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 medium eggs

Tools & Equipment

In this recipe, you will also need:

• an 8-inch round cake pan
• an electric mixer
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• a whisk
• a spatula
• 3 mixing bowls
• parchment paper

If you want to explore more about the basic baking tools and equipment, visit the 11 baking essentials a home baker should have.

Instructions

• Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 180 degrees Celsius). Grease and flour the cake pan, or line the bottom with parchment paper.
• Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Then whisk them together until they are well-combined.
• Step 3: In a small mixing bowl, combine the milk, oil and vanilla extract.
• Step 4: In another mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until they are light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes on medium speed with a mixer.
• Step 5: Add the eggs, one at a time, to the butter and sugar mixture, making sure to mix well after each addition.
• Step 6: Gradually add the flour mixture and the milk mixture alternately, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure that all ingredients are well-combined..
• Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth out the top with a spatula.
• Step 8: Place the cake pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
• Step 9: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then turn the cake out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Step 10: Once the cake has cooled, it is ready to be decorated and served. You can frost it with your favorite frosting, or simply dust it with powdered sugar.

And that’s it! You have now made a simple yet delicious cake. Remember, baking is a skill that takes practice, so don’t get discouraged if your first cake doesn’t turn out perfectly. Keep trying and experimenting with different recipes, and you’ll be a pro in no time.

Baking Tips to Note

• You can also add some fruits, nuts, chocolate chips or any other ingredients of your choice to the batter, depending on the type of cake you want to make.
• Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before you begin.
• Be sure to measure the ingredients accurately. Baking is a science, and small deviations in measurements can greatly impact the final result.
• Always preheat the oven before baking.
• When measuring flour, spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife instead of packing it down.
• Keep an eye on the cake while it’s baking and check it a few minutes before the suggested baking time, as oven temperatures can vary.

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This post is all about how to bake a simple cake for beginners.