This article was co-authored by Quynh La and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Quynh La is a Professional Baker and the Owner of Sugar Bakery & Cafe in Seattle, Washington. With over seven years of experience, she specializes in baking cakes, cookies, croissants, and bread. Quynh holds an AAS in Culinary Arts from South Seattle College and a second AAS in Specialty Desserts & Bread from Seattle Central College.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 683,977 times.
A plain cake is a simple dessert that’s easy to make at home—all you need is some basic baking ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, salt, milk, and baking powder. In this article, we’ll teach you exactly how to bake a plain cake recipe step by step so you can quickly and easily throw together a tasty treat that your friends and family are sure to enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200g) of white sugar
- ½ cup (113g) of unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp (9.9 mL) of vanilla extract
- 1½ (188g) cups of all-purpose flour
- 1¾ tsp (8.4g) of baking powder
- 1⁄2 c (120 mL) of milk
Makes one 9 in (23 cm) square cake
Steps
What Should You Know Before Baking a Cake?
Community Q&A
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QuestionHow long does it take to make a plain cake?Community AnswerAbout 15 minutes to make the dough and 25 to 30 minutes to cook for an oven preheated at 160 degrees Celsius (320 Fahrenheit).
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QuestionWhat is vanilla essence?Jerry CatCommunity AnswerVanilla essence is also called vanilla extract. It is food-safe alcohol that has had vanilla beans soaking in it. It is generally not diluted, so you only need a tiny bit. The alcohol will burn off in the oven, so it is safe for children.
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QuestionCan I make this cake in a microwave oven?Community AnswerYou cannot make cakes in the microwave oven unless you have a special recipe designed for that purpose. Otherwise, the cake will not be baked properly. There will be hot spots and other places where the cake is raw, or it may even explode in the microwave, creating a terrible mess.
Video
Tips
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To give your cake a little extra color or crunch, add a handful of chopped or slivered nuts, such as almonds or pecans. You could also scatter colorful sprinkles for a festive birthday cake or a crumbly streusel to make a simple coffee cake.Thanks
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If you don't have a stand or hand mixer, mix the batter by hand with a wooden spoon.Thanks
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Add frosting to your cake for a sweet topping. You can even flavor your frosting with things like coffee or strawberry jam.Thanks
Things You'll Need
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Spatula
- Mixer
- Baking spray
- 9 in (23 cm) cake pan
References
- ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/hersheys-perfectly-chocolate-chocolate-cake
- ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/hersheys-perfectly-chocolate-chocolate-cake
- ↑ https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/wet-and-dry-why-the-science-behind-mixing-matters/sq07cdn5o
- ↑ https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/easy-vanilla-butter-cake/24c764b0-22f1-4ba2-aa0a-78966d183f94
- ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/sponge-cake
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/5-ways-to-tell-when-your-cake-is-done-98927
About This Article
To make a plain and simple cake, start by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat together butter, sugar, and eggs. Once everything is blended, stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients to make the batter, and pour the batter into a pan lined with parchment paper. Pop the pan in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and bake the cake for 45-60 minutes. You'll know it's done when it turns a rich, golden color and starts to pull away from the edges. To learn how to spice up a plain cake with delicious added flavors, scroll down!
Reader Success Stories
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"This recipe is a lifesaver! Today I had no idea what to prepare for my guests coming over so I made this cake in 1hour (total) and everyone loved it! I whisked manually with a balloon whisk and it turned out great."..." more