A Far Far Better Cake Recipes

A FAR, FAR BETTER CAKE

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the top third of the oven and crank the box to 350°F. Then prep two 9-inch round aluminum cake pans by rubbing on a thin layer of butter on the bottoms and sides, and then flour. Finally, line the bottoms of both with a round of parchment paper.
• SiftYou can use a sifter for this or a fine sieve. the flours together with the baking powder and set aside.
• Load the paddle attachment onto your stand mixer and beat the butter on low speed just until smooth, about 1 minute. Follow with the sugar and salt, boosting the speed to medium. Continue to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl after each minute or so.
• With the mixer still on medium, add the egg yolks one at a time, fully incorporating one before adding the next. When all eight are in, kill the mixer and scrape the bowl. Return the speed to low and slowly addI like to use a paper plate to dose in the flour...great multitasker. half the flour mixture.
• When the first half of the flour mix is worked in, add half of the milk and all of the vanilla. Stop and scrape the bowl yet again then return to low and slowly add the remaining flour. Then scrape one more time, making sure there's no dry flour hiding in the bottom of the bowl. Congratulations, you've conquered the creaming method.
• Divide the mixture between the two pans. I use a scale to ensure even distribution and that means about 660 grams per pan. Smooth the tops with a rubber spatula and tap the pans against the counter to remove any air pockets.
• Bake until the cakes reach an internal temperature of between 207 and 210°F, which typically takes between 30 and 35 minutes. The cakes should be golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes should come out clean.
• Remove from oven and cool cakes on a wire rack for 15 minutes then de-pan onto the rack and cool to room temp before frosting.

CONTEST-WINNING EGGNOG CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add extracts. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with eggnog, beating well after each addition. Pour into two greased 9-in. round baking pans. , Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a small saucepan, combine flour and salt. Gradually stir in eggnog until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat whisking constantly; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Cool to room temperature., In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in eggnog mixture and vanilla until smooth. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. If desired, decorate with decorating gel. Store in the refrigerator.

BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan. Line bottom with parchment or wax paper, or dust lightly with flour.
• Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
• Beat butter and white sugar until fluffy and light in color. Gradually add eggs, beating well after each addition; stir in vanilla. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Stir until just blended (see Cook's Note for Blueberry Cake variation). Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for until cake springs back when lightly touched, about 30 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto wire rack to cool completely.

BETTER THAN SEX CAKE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350.
• Make and bake cake as directed on package in a 9 x 13 pan.
• Poke top of warm cake every 1/2" with handle of wooden spoon.
• Drizzle sweetened condensed milk evenly over cake and let stand until milk has absorbed into cake.
• Drizzle with caramel or butterscotch topping.
• Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake.
• Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until cake has chilled.
• Spread cool whip over top of cake.
• Sprinkle with toffee chips.
• Store cake covered, in the refrigerator.