The Ultimate White Cake

Servings: One 9-Inch Layer Cake

Time:

Ingredients:

Cake

1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1½ cups (298g) granulated sugar

1¼ cups (284g) buttermilk

6 large (213g) egg whites

1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

2¼ cups (271g) all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Frosting

1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, at room temperature

4 cups (454g) powdered sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

¾ teaspoon almond extract

⅓ cup (81g) heavy cream

Sprinkles, as needed

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.

2. Make the Cake: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.

3. In a large liquid measuring cup, whisk the buttermilk, egg whites, vanilla, and almond extracts to combine. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt to combine.

4. Add ⅓ of the flour mixture to the mixer and mix to combine. Add half of the buttermilk mixture and mix to combine. Scrape the bowl well.

5. Repeat this process, alternating dry and wet ingredients until all ingredients are incorporated. Scrape the bowl well to ensure the batter is homogenous.

6. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans and smooth into an even layer. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.

7. Cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely. Use a serrated knife to level off the surface of each cake to make a flat surface.

8. Make the Frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix to combine.

9. With the mixer running, add the cream in a slow, steady stream until well combined.

10. Place one of the cake layers on a cake stand. Scoop about 1 cup of frosting onto the cake and spread into an even layer. Top with the second cake layer. Frost the cake all over, and garnish as desired with sprinkles.