Vanilla Buttermilk Cake with Chocolate-Buttermilk Frosting

We infused our classic birthday cake with buttermilk to add a little tang and a lot of moisture. The best part? It’s so simple to make, you don’t have to wait for a birthday to savor this tender-crumbed treat.

4.5 from 2 reviews
Vanilla Buttermilk Cake with Chocolate-Buttermilk Frosting
 
Makes 1 (9-inch) cake
Ingredients
  • ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs (100 grams)
  • ½ teaspoon (2 grams) vanilla extract
  • 1⅓ cups (167 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1¼ teaspoons (6.25 grams) baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup (120 grams) whole buttermilk
  • Chocolate-Buttermilk Frosting (recipe follows)
  • Garnish: multicolored sprinkles
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with baking spray with flour.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar at medium speed until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Reduce mixer speed to low. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating just until combined after each addition. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
  4. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan, and let cool completely on a wire rack. Spread with Chocolate-Buttermilk Frosting. Garnish with sprinkles, if desired.

 

 

4.5 from 2 reviews
Chocolate-Buttermilk Frosting
 
Makes about 1½ cups
Ingredients
  • ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (240 grams) confectioners’ sugar
  • ¼ cup (21 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon (1.5 grams) kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons (45 grams) whole buttermilk
Instructions
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter at medium speed until creamy. In a small bowl, sift together confectioners’ sugar, cocoa, and salt. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add cocoa mixture to butter, beating until combined. Stir in buttermilk until mixture reaches a spreadable consistency.
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4 COMMENTS

  1. I’ve made this a few times and it is always a crowd pleaser. Just sweet enough with a touch of saltiness from the frosting. I’ve made it for friends and they have told me that they have kept it to themselves when they meant to share. One of my new go to recipes.

  2. This is my FAVORITE cake recipe. It’s so simple and easy to make, and perfect when I need a small cake to snack on. My husband made it for my birthday (and he has never baked anything ever let alone from SCRATCH.) It’s my go to for birthdays and gatherings as well. I always weigh ingredients when I can, and weighing for this recipe has always yielded the best results.

    I’m pregnant and have made it five times so far at least and I’m only halfway through. (Oops.) Please, make this cake.

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