Magnolia’s Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Buttercream and purple sprinkles on the side in an ombre effect. This was our daughter’s request for her birthday. Fortunately, I watch Project Runway, so I was familiar with the ombre (graduated color) concept. I mixed purple and white sugar crystals with varying the amounts, but applying them to the side of the cake was so difficult that I’ll need an air brush before I try to get this look again. . . oh well, I tried, and I know she appreciated the effort.
Even though my ombre wasn’t what I’d hoped for, the cake – plain and simple, was delicious, moist and tender with a delicate crumb. This will make 24 cupcakes if you prefer (bake 20 – 25 min.)
for cake:
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C)
- Grease 2-9 inch pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper, grease the paper and flour the pans
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside
- In a large bowl,cream the butter until smooth
- Slowly add the sugar beating until fluffy, about 3 minutes
- Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition
- Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla, make sure the ingredients are incorporated but do not over-mix
- Spoon the batter into the prepared pans, bake for 30 – 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
- Cool in the pans for 15 minutes. Remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack before icing.
for frosting:
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
6 to 8 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine the butter and 4 cups of sugar
- Add the milk and vanilla, beat until smooth and creamy
- Gradually add remaining sugar, beating well until the icing is thick enough for spreading or piping (you may not use all of the powdered sugar)
- This frosting will set up in the fridge
An accountant by trade and a food blogger since 2009, Lois Britton fell in love with Polish cuisine during the years she lived in Poznań, Poland. As the creator of PolishHousewife.com, she loves connecting readers with traditional Polish recipes. Lois has a graduate certificate in Food Writing and Photography from the University of South Florida. She is the author of The Polish Housewife Cookbook, available on Amazon and on her website.
Frugal in WV
I absolutely love buttercream 🙂 Your recipe looks yummy!