Prepare to transport yourself to the refined world of Jane Austen with this exquisite birthday cake that promises to be as delightful as her prose! Imagine a cake so delectable it could have graced the tables of Longbourn or Pemberley, with a soft, buttery crumb that melts in your mouth and a history as rich as Austen's beloved novels. Whether you're a die-hard Austen fan or simply a lover of sublime British baking, this recipe will turn your kitchen into a time machine of culinary romance.
Prep Time: 1 hrs
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
Cuisine: British
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Frosting of choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, ensuring even coating to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures a smooth, lump-free cake batter and helps distribute the leavening agents evenly.
- In a separate large bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and sugar using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale yellow, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure complete incorporation.
- Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Stir in the vanilla extract, mixing gently to distribute the flavor throughout the batter.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cakes are golden brown.
- Remove cakes from the oven and let cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- Once cooled, frost the cake with your chosen frosting, creating layers between the two cake rounds and covering the entire cake.
- Decorate as desired, perhaps with a light dusting of powdered sugar or delicate piped frosting details to honor Jane Austen's elegant style.
Tips
- Ingredient Temperature Matters: Ensure your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature for the smoothest, most luxurious batter.
- Sifting is Essential: Take extra care when sifting dry ingredients to achieve the delicate texture Austen would approve of.
- Don't Overmix: Mix the batter just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake light and tender.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent a melting mess.
- Decoration Inspiration: Consider using delicate piping or a light dusting of powdered sugar to capture the elegance of the Regency era.
- Frosting Options: While the recipe suggests using a frosting of choice, a classic vanilla buttercream or a light lemon frosting would complement the cake beautifully.Pro Tip: Serve this cake on a beautiful vintage plate to truly capture the spirit of Jane Austen's time!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 112mg
