Get ready to experience pure comfort in cake form with this delightful Granny Cake recipe! This simple yet incredibly satisfying dessert offers a tender crumb, a hint of sweetness, and a lovely golden crust that’s sure to bring back happy memories. Picture a warm, homemade cake, perfect for any occasion.
This Granny Cake is wonderfully moist, delicately sweet, and ideal enjoyed with a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Gently sweet with a buttery depth and a hint of vanilla.
- Textures: Tender crumb, moist interior, and a slightly crisp exterior.
- Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Difficulty: Easy, perfect for beginner bakers.
What You’ll Need
This Granny Cake recipe is a classic, relying on simple ingredients to create a perfect treat. You’ll need pantry staples like flour, sugar, and baking powder, along with eggs, butter, and milk to create the batter. The magic happens with a touch of vanilla extract, bringing everything together for that authentic homemade flavor.
Ingredient Notes
- All-Purpose Flour – All-purpose flour provides the structure for this cake, giving it its tender crumb.
- Granulated Sugar – This adds sweetness and helps with browning.
- Baking Powder – Don’t skip the baking powder, it’s the ingredient responsible for the cake’s light and airy texture.
- Salt – Salt enhances the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Large Eggs – Eggs bind the ingredients and contribute to the cake’s moistness.
- Unsalted Butter – Unsalted butter adds richness and a tender texture. Be sure your butter is softened to room temperature for the best results.
- Milk – Milk adds moisture and creaminess to the batter.
- Vanilla Extract – A splash of vanilla extract adds a lovely warm flavor.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Citrus Zest: Add the zest of 1/2 lemon or orange to the batter for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Spices: A pinch of ground nutmeg or cinnamon can add warmth and complexity.
- Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips for a chocolatey twist.
How to Make Granny Cake
Making Granny Cake is a truly simple process that anyone can master. Follow these easy steps to bake a delicious treat!
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan. You can also use a round or rectangular pan, but adjust the baking time as needed.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined. This step ensures that all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, softened butter, milk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
- Mix the Batter Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients together on medium speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tougher cake.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tip: Don’t overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a less tender cake. Mix until just combined.
Recipe Tips
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room-temperature eggs and butter helps the ingredients incorporate properly, creating a smoother batter.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on the cake towards the end of baking. Overbaking can dry it out.
- Cooling Time: Allowing the cake to cool completely before frosting or serving helps prevent it from crumbling.
- Pan Preparation: Properly greasing and flouring your pan is crucial to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Test for Doneness: Always use a toothpick or cake tester to check if the cake is done. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready!
FAQs
- Can I use a different type of pan? Yes, you can use a round or rectangular pan, but you may need to adjust the baking time.
- How do I store this Granny Cake? Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Can I freeze this cake? Yes, you can freeze the cake. Wrap slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- Why is my cake dry? Overbaking or using too much flour can cause a dry cake. Always check your oven’s temperature and avoid overmixing the batter.
Serving Suggestions
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of homemade or store-bought whipped cream is a classic pairing.
- Powdered Sugar: Dust the cake with powdered sugar for a simple, elegant touch.
- Fresh Fruit: Serve with fresh berries, sliced peaches, or other seasonal fruits.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes this cake a truly indulgent dessert.
- Simple Glaze: Drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can make the batter a day ahead of time and store it, covered, in the refrigerator. Let the batter come to room temperature before baking. The baked cake can also be made a day in advance, stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
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Granny Cake Recipe
- Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes
Description
This delightful Granny Cake recipe offers a tender crumb, a hint of sweetness, and a lovely golden crust that’s sure to bring back happy memories. This Granny Cake is wonderfully moist, delicately sweet, and ideal enjoyed with a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 20 ounce can crushed pineapples, with juice
2 large eggs
Topping
1 cup brown sugar packed
1 cup pecans chopped
Glaze
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9×13-inch glass baking dish.
In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt.
Add eggs and crushed pineapple with juice; mix until combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared dish.
Sprinkle pecans and brown sugar on top. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
While the cake bakes, combine evaporated milk, sugar, and butter in a saucepan. Heat over medium. Boil, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Poke the baked cake all over. Pour the hot glaze over the cake. Cool completely before serving.
Notes
Using room-temperature eggs and butter helps the ingredients incorporate properly, creating a smoother batter.
Don’t overbake! Keep a close eye on the cake towards the end of baking. Overbaking can dry it out.
Allowing the cake to cool completely before frosting or serving helps prevent it from crumbling.
Properly greasing and flouring your pan is crucial to prevent the cake from sticking.
Always use a toothpick or cake tester to check if the cake is done. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready!
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
