Vanilla Cake/ Butter Cake

A simple butter cake which can take on any form of dessert.... :)

Courtesy: Joy of baking.com

Ingredients:
     1 1/2 cups (195 g) all purpose flour
     2 tsp baking powder
     1/4 tsp salt
     1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
     120 g unsalted butter at room temperature
     1 tsp vanilla extract
     2 large eggs
     1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven. Butter (or spray with a non stick vegetable spray) a 9 inch (23 cm) round cake pan with three inch (7.5 cm) sides.

In a large bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and then add sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then beat in the vanilla extract. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour mixture (in three additions), alternately with the milk (in two additions), ending with the dry ingredients.
Pour the batter into the cake pan, smoothing the top. Bake in preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes (the time varies with different ovens) or until the top of the cake has browned and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan (a toothpick inserted into the cake will come out clean). Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edge of the pan and then invert the cake onto your serving plate.

Makes one - 9 inch (23 cm) cake. Serves 6 to 8.

Hot Milk Cake / Sponge Cake

I stumbled upon this recipe when searching for a cake using lots of eggs and milk. It is extremely light, yet firm enough to hold any filling or topping...more like a sponge cake. I did adapt the recipe a bit according to the ingredients at hand and it turned out great.The original recipe can be found here http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/hot-milk-cake. The cake on its own was a bit too sweet for my family's palate but the flavour and texture won them over...so will try next time with a little less sugar.

Ingredients

• 5 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons fresh cream
• 100 gm butter

In a large bowl, beat eggs on high speed for 5 minutes or more until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually add sugar, beating until mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Sift flour and baking powder and gradually add to batter; beat at low speed until smooth.
In a small saucepan, heat milk, cream and butter just until butter is melted. Gradually add to batter and beat just until combined.(the milk mixture should be warm)
Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 12-16 servings.