Introduction
Are you looking for a cake recipe that is easy to make but still tastes amazing? Look no further than this delicious 4-inch cake recipe! Perfect for small gatherings or just satisfying your sweet tooth, this recipe is sure to impress. In this article, we’ll go through everything you need to know to make this cake, including the ingredients, instructions, nutritional information, cooking time, equipment, serving suggestions, variations, substitutions, storage, tips, notes, and frequently asked questions. Let’s get started!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious 4-inch cake:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup whole milk
Instructions
Now that you have all your ingredients ready, let’s get started with the instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 4-inch cake pan and set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add in the egg and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
- Add in the flour mixture and whole milk, alternating between the two, starting and ending with the flour mixture.
- Pour the batter into the greased cake pan and smooth out the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, you can decorate your cake however you like! Enjoy!
Nutritional Information
Here is the nutritional information for one serving of this 4-inch cake recipe:
- Calories: 364
- Total fat: 20g
- Saturated fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 108mg
- Sodium: 246mg
- Total carbohydrates: 41g
- Sugars: 26g
- Protein: 4g
Cooking Time
The total cooking time for this 4-inch cake recipe is about 25-30 minutes.
Equipment
Here is the equipment you will need to make this cake:
- 4-inch cake pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Electric mixer (optional)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cooling rack
Serving Suggestions
This 4-inch cake is perfect for small gatherings or for satisfying your sweet tooth. You can decorate it with your favorite frosting or toppings, or serve it with a scoop of ice cream on the side. It’s also great for birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions.
Variations
This 4-inch cake recipe is very versatile and can be adapted to suit your tastes. Here are some variations you can try:
- Chocolate cake: Add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the flour mixture.
- Lemon cake: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the batter and use lemon juice instead of milk.
- Vanilla bean cake: Scrape the seeds from 1 vanilla bean and add them to the batter.
- Strawberry cake: Add 1/2 cup of chopped strawberries to the batter.
Substitutions
If you don’t have all the ingredients for this 4-inch cake recipe, here are some substitutions you can try:
- Butter: You can use margarine or shortening instead of butter.
- Flour: You can use cake flour or gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- Milk: You can use any type of milk or non-dairy milk, such as almond milk or soy milk.
- Sugar: You can use brown sugar or coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar.
Storage
This 4-inch cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.
Tips
Here are some tips to help you make the perfect 4-inch cake:
- Make sure your butter is softened before you start mixing the batter.
- Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the batter to prevent it from curdling.
- Grease your cake pan well to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
This 4-inch cake recipe makes one small cake, so if you’re serving a larger crowd, you may want to double or triple the recipe. You can also adjust the baking time accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions about this 4-inch cake recipe:
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! This cake can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Can I freeze this cake?
Yes! This cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Make sure to wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container.
Can I use a different size cake pan?
Yes, you can use a different size cake pan, but you may need to adjust the baking time accordingly.
Personal Thoughts
This 4-inch cake recipe is one of my favorites because it’s so easy to make and tastes delicious. I love how versatile it is and how you can adapt it to suit your tastes. It’s perfect for small gatherings or for satisfying your sweet tooth. I hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy it as much as I do!