Italian Butter Cake Recipe
Italian Butter Cake is a rich and indulgent dessert that's dense yet fluffy, with a buttery flavor that melts in your mouth. It's typically made with butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and baking powder, along with a few other key ingredients. The cake is often topped with a sweet glaze that's made from powdered sugar, milk, and flavorings such as lemon or almond extract.
Equipment
- 9-inch cake pan
- Electric mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- For the cake:
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- For the glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch cake pan with butter or cooking spray.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, until the batter is smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack.
- To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and lemon extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides.
- Let the glaze set for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Be sure to use room temperature ingredients for the cake batter.
- You can customize the glaze by using different flavorings, such as almond or orange extract.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.