Description
This rustic two-layer naked cake features a tender, buttery buttermilk crumb finished with a silky vanilla buttercream. It is the perfect stress-free dessert that delivers bakery-quality elegance in less than an hour.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven. Heat the oven to 350°F and grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
- Whisk dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix wet components. Briefly whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract in a separate container.
- Cream butter and sugar. Beat the softened butter and sugar in a stand mixer on medium speed for four minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Incorporate the eggs. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully combined.
- Alternate dry and wet. Add one-third of the flour mixture followed by half the buttermilk mixture, repeating until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Bake the layers. Divide batter between pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Prepare the buttercream. Whip butter with half the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and spreadable.
- Stack the cake. Spread buttercream between cake layers, stacking them carefully on a pedestal or cake board.
- Apply crumb coat. Use a bench scraper to apply a thin layer of frosting over the top and sides for a rustic semi-naked finish.
- Create top spiral. Optionally, use an offset spatula to create a decorative spiral pattern on the top of the cake.
Notes
- Chill your cake layers in the refrigerator before frosting to ensure a firmer structure and fewer crumbs in your icing.
- Use a digital scale to measure batter into each pan to guarantee uniform height without the need for trimming.
- Maintain a consistent room temperature for your butter to ensure the emulsion does not curdle during the creaming process.
- Keep your frosting bowl covered with a damp towel while decorating to prevent a dry crust from forming on the buttercream.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
