Basic Vanilla Cake

Basic Vanilla Cake is a recipe to have for a birthday cake, another special occasion, or even if you simply have a hankering for a special treat.

Basic Vanilla Cake

Makes two 9-inch cakes.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 4 1/4 cups flour
• 2 1/4  teaspoons sea salt
• 2 1/4  teaspoons baking powder
• 2 1/4  teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 cup hot water
• 6 egg whites

Measure the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a mixing bowl. Mix together.

Put the buttermilk, melted butter, sour cream, and vanilla in a separate container and whisk together. Add to the dry ingredients and mix for a couple of minutes. Add the wet ingredients and when they’re mixed in half way, add the hot water, scrape down the sides of the bowl to be sure everything is incorporated, and mix just until it becomes a lovely batter. Don’t over mix, or your cake will become tough.

Place the egg whites in a separate bowl snd whip until they have stiff peaks.

Fold the egg whites into the cake batter with a spatula. The goal is to gently fold so the ingredients come together but the batter is light because if the air in the whipped egg whites.

Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by coating the insides with butter and then a very light dusting of flour or by spraying them well with non-stick baking spray. Divide the batter between the two pans evenly. Tap the pans on the counter to remove any large air bubbles.