We try very hard to eat local and organic food in our home and as such, it is rare that I buy processed foods. The process of making something from scratch can be time consuming, but I love the creative process cooking allows for and the fun had in the kitchen.
When it came time to celebrate Cooper’s birthday last month, he got an old fashioned homemade birthday cake adapted from a Good Housekeeping Butter Cake recipe. My adaptation, has a little twist with almond extract and half and half which adds a little bit more depth in flavor – with respect of course to those at Good Housekeeping. I use organic ingredients where available and yes, the quality and taste of the organic food really does make a difference and tastes far superior. Sorry if that sounds snotty.
As a treat for the boys this afternoon, I made the cake again and served it up with shaved almonds on top as a special after dinner treat. For todays cake, I halved the recipes and used one 8in cake pan making an iced three layer cake. It is a super easy recipe and considering that my commercial mixer is broken, I managed to make it all with a whisk and lots of hand mixing… so really, it is very easy.
Simple Butter Cake
3 cups flour (not self rising)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup half and half
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
4 large eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease & flour pans.
Beat sugar and butter until creamy. Add eggs one at a time.
In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt.
In a measuring cup, mix the half and half, vanilla & almond extracts.
Add the flower mixture alternately with the half/half mixture to the sugar and butter and mix until smooth.
Divide batter evenly and bake until toothpick in the center comes out clean. About 23-35 min depending on size of pan and how full the pans are.
Butter Frosting
1 cup butter
6 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup half and half
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
Mix together until smooth and fluffy. Frost cake once it is completely cooled. Dive in and enjoy!
GREY MATTER LIFE 