Butter cake: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 19:02, 23 March 2025

A type of cake made with butter as a primary ingredient

Butter cake is a type of cake in which butter is a primary ingredient. It is considered a quintessential American cake, although it has its roots in European cuisine. Butter cakes are made from a combination of butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and leavening agents such as baking powder or baking soda.

History[edit]

The origins of butter cake can be traced back to the traditional pound cake, which was made with equal parts of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. Over time, variations of the pound cake evolved, leading to the development of the butter cake. The use of chemical leavening agents in the 19th century allowed for lighter and more tender cakes, which contributed to the popularity of butter cakes.

Preparation[edit]

Butter cakes are typically prepared by creaming the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the mixture, which helps the cake rise. Eggs are then added one at a time, followed by the dry ingredients, which are usually sifted together. The batter is poured into a prepared cake pan and baked until golden brown.

Variations[edit]

There are numerous variations of butter cake, each with unique flavors and ingredients. Some popular variations include:

Gooey butter cake: A rich, dense cake with a gooey topping, originating from St. Louis, Missouri.

Hazelnut brown butter cake: Incorporates hazelnuts and browned butter for a nutty, caramelized flavor.

Apple butter cake: Often includes dehydrated apple pieces or fresh apples, adding moisture and flavor.

Serving Suggestions[edit]

Butter cakes are versatile and can be served plain or with a variety of toppings and accompaniments. Common options include:

A dusting of powdered sugar
A glaze or frosting
Fresh fruit or fruit compote
Whipped cream

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Butter cake''' is a traditional [[cake]] that is popular in many cultures around the world. It is known for its rich, buttery flavor and moist texture. The main ingredients in a butter cake are [[butter]], [[sugar]], [[eggs]], and [[flour]]. Some variations may also include [[milk]], [[vanilla extract]], and [[baking powder]].
+{{Short description|A type of cake made with butter as a primary ingredient}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-== History ==
+[[File:Homemade_butter_cake.jpg|thumb|Homemade Butter Cake]]
-The origins of butter cake can be traced back to the [[Middle Ages]], when it was a popular dessert in [[Europe]]. The cake was traditionally made with a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour, which is why it is sometimes referred to as a [[pound cake]]. Over time, the recipe has evolved and variations have been developed in different regions.
+'''Butter cake''' is a type of [[cake]] in which [[butter]] is a primary ingredient. It is considered a quintessential [[American cuisine|American]] cake, although it has its roots in [[European cuisine]]. Butter cakes are made from a combination of [[butter]], [[sugar]], [[eggs]], [[flour]], and [[leavening agents]] such as [[baking powder]] or [[baking soda]].
-== Preparation ==
+==History==
+The origins of butter cake can be traced back to the traditional [[pound cake]], which was made with equal parts of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. Over time, variations of the pound cake evolved, leading to the development of the butter cake. The use of chemical leavening agents in the 19th century allowed for lighter and more tender cakes, which contributed to the popularity of butter cakes.
-To prepare a butter cake, the butter and sugar are first creamed together until they are light and fluffy. The eggs are then added one at a time, followed by the flour. The batter is then poured into a cake tin and baked in the oven until it is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
+==Preparation==
+Butter cakes are typically prepared by creaming the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the mixture, which helps the cake rise. Eggs are then added one at a time, followed by the dry ingredients, which are usually sifted together. The batter is poured into a prepared cake pan and baked until golden brown.
-== Variations ==
+==Variations==
+There are numerous variations of butter cake, each with unique flavors and ingredients. Some popular variations include:
-There are many variations of butter cake, including the [[Gooey butter cake]] from the United States, the [[Madeira cake]] from the United Kingdom, and the [[Butterkuchen]] from Germany. Each of these variations has its own unique characteristics and flavors.
+* '''[[Gooey butter cake]]''': A rich, dense cake with a gooey topping, originating from [[St. Louis, Missouri]].
-== See also ==
+[[File:182365_Gooey_Butter_Cake.jpg|thumb|Gooey Butter Cake]]
-* [[List of cakes]]
+* '''[[Hazelnut brown butter cake]]''': Incorporates [[hazelnuts]] and browned butter for a nutty, caramelized flavor.
-* [[List of desserts]]
-== References ==
+[[File:Hazelnut_brown_butter_cake.jpg|thumb|Hazelnut Brown Butter Cake]]
-<references />
+* '''[[Apple butter cake]]''': Often includes [[dehydrated apple pieces]] or fresh apples, adding moisture and flavor.
+[[File:Dehydrated_Apple_pieces.jpg|thumb|Dehydrated Apple Pieces]]
+==Serving Suggestions==
+Butter cakes are versatile and can be served plain or with a variety of toppings and accompaniments. Common options include:
+* A dusting of [[powdered sugar]]
+* A glaze or [[frosting]]
+* Fresh [[fruit]] or [[fruit compote]]
+* [[Whipped cream]]
+==Related pages==
+* [[Pound cake]]
+* [[Sponge cake]]
+* [[Chiffon cake]]
+* [[Angel food cake]]
 [[Category:Cakes]]
-[[Category:Desserts]]
+[[Category:American desserts]]
-{{food-stub}}
+[[Category:Butter cakes]]