Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Please Don't Eat the Daisies

Yellow Cake.
It's basic and simple, moist and delicious.
You can top it with anything you like best.
Most people seem to prefer it frosted in chocolate.
What's not to love about this classic cake?
Over the years I have discovered that all yellow cakes are not created equal.
My quest for the perfect recipe
has caused me to bake literally countless yellow cakes.
Some were too dry, while others were too spongy.
Then there were those that were just about tasteless.
Several years ago I finally found this recipe.
Honestly, I have no memory of the source 
but once I baked it my search was finally over.
So here's the recipe.
Still basic, simple and classic but...
Oh So Good.

Yellow Cake

1 Cup Butter {softened to room temp}
2 1/2 Cups Sugar
3 Large Eggs
1 1/2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla
2 1/2 Cups Buttermilk
3 3/4 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 1/4 Teaspoons Baking Powder
2 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Line bottoms of  three 8 inch cake pans with parchment paper.
Spray bottoms and sides with cooking spray.
Sift flour, baking powder & baking soda together in medium bowl.
Set aside.
In large bowl, cream butter & sugar till light and fluffy {app. 2 minutes}.
Beat in eggs and vanilla.
Beat in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk until well blended.
Pour into prepared pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes.
Remove from pans.
Peel parchment paper off.
Cool completely on wire rack before frosting.

Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting

1 Stick Butter {softened to room temp}
5 Cups Confectioner's Sugar {sifted after measuring}
3/4 Cup Hershey's Cocoa Powder
1/2 Cup Buttermilk
2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla

Cream butter in medium to large bowl.
Sift confectioner's sugar over butter.
Add cocoa powder, buttermilk & vanilla.
Beat to spreading consistency.
Frost cake and enjoy!

For Chocolate Curls ~
Run a vegetable peeler along the edge of a giant Hershey's chocolate candy bar.
When chocolate becomes too soft from the warmth of your hand,
place in freezer for a few minutes.

I had some lovely flowers left over to sprinkle around the house.
A little vase for my desk and some to float in
a crystal bowl for the dining room table.
Don't look too closely...
You might see tiny smudges of chocolate here and there.

10 comments:

  1. Looks (and sounds) scrumptious! I liked baking cakes when I was a girl. I remember Bonnie's Butter Cake. I had high hopes for it but it was a soggy flop. I'd like to try your recipe!
    I made sourdough bread (a mix) in the bread machine today. It wasn't pretty but we put good butter on it and it was tasty!
    Thank you, Danette!

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    Replies
    1. Yes Ma'am ... Bonnie's Butter Cake is one of those recipes that I tried and threw by the wayside. I found it to be somewhat spongy and even tough. Nearly tasteless, actually. Do try this one. I promise that it's easy and you won't be disappointed. It makes a lot of batter though. That's why I put it in 3 pans.
      Bread doesn't have to be pretty... just butter that sucker while HOT and go to town on it!!!

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  2. O my been looking for a homemade one too. Going to put this in my book. Its looks great Danette, thanks so much for sharing. Happy Wednesday with love Janice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes please try it Janice! It's very easy and you will love it.
      It makes a lot of batter so it takes 3 pans.
      Happy Wednesday to you too... And Love...

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  3. Your cake is enticingly beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Billie! And you are most welcome :-)
      So nice to have you stop by for a visit... hope you come again.

      Delete
  4. It looks so delicious! Thanks for the piece of cake, yum!
    Meredith

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    Replies
    1. You're so welcome! I wish you were here for a real piece and some tea or coffee to go along with a nice long visit!

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  5. ooh, this looks incredible! There's nothing better than a yellow cake, the better content makes it so satisfying! And it looks beautiful with the flowers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Julie! Yes, it's all about the butter! Flowers always make things better 😊

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Thank you for taking time to chat with me ~
Your comments make me so Happy!
Have a lovely day.
Danette