Email to Cat      

Anna's Swedish Butter Cake

Source of Recipe


From "The Perfect Cake" by Susan G. Purdy






List of Ingredients



• 2 cups (8-1/2 ounces) plus 2 Tbsp sifted all-purpose flour
  
• 1 tsp baking powder
  
• 1/4 tsp salt
  
• 1 cup (2 sticks) lightly salted butter (not margarine), at room temperature
  
• 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
  
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  
• 3/4 cup milk
  
• 1 tsp almond extract (or vanilla extract)
  
• Confectioners' sugar, optional
  






Instructions



1. Prepare pan(s): Spread solid shortening on bottom and sides of a 9-inch tube pan (6½-cup capacity) or two 9-inch layer pans. Dust evenly with flour; tap out excess. Position rack in center of oven. Preheat oven to 350° F.
   
   
2. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt onto a piece of wax paper. Set aside. With a wooden spoon in a mixing bowl, or with an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth and well blended. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk, beating after each addition, beginning and ending with flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. Stir in the almond or vanilla extract.
   
   
3. Spoon batter into the prepared pan(s), level the top, then spread the batter slightly toward the pan edges. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes for a tube cake, or 30 to 35 minutes for layers, or until the top is golden and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cake in its pan(s) on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then run a knife blade around the edge of the cake. Top with another rack or plate, invert, and lift off the pan(s). Cool the cake completely before sifting on confectioners' sugar or adding a frosting of your choice.
   
   Makes one 9-inch tube cake
   or one 2-layer (9-inch) cake.
   
   ....................
   
   VARIATIONS
   
   ♦ Anna's Orange Butter Cake
   Prepare Anna's Swedish Butter Cake, but add the grated zest of 1-1/2 oranges, and replace the milk with 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice. Use 1 teaspoon orange extract instead of almond or vanilla. Ice with Orange Buttercream Frosting, Orange Glaze, or Orange Wine Icing.
   
   ♦ Anna's Chocolate Butter Cake
   Prepare Anna's Swedish Butter Cake, but replace 1/2 cup flour with 1/2 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa (preferably Dutch-process), and add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.