Recipe

Vanilla cake with vanilla bean icing

This simple vanilla cake is delicious on its own, or as the perfect base for creative birthday cakes or exciting flavour variations.

Oct 20, 2019 1:00pm
  • 1 hr 30 mins cooking
  • Serves 12
    • Print
    Print

Ingredients

  • 250 grams (8oz) butter, softened
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
  • 1 1/2 cups (330g) caster (superfine) sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups (260g) self-raising flour
  • 1/3 cup (50g) plain (all-purpose) flour
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) milk
Vanilla bean icing
  • 1 1/2 cups (240g) icing (confectioners') sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • 2 tablespoons water, approximately

Method

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 160°C/325°F. Grease a deep 20cm (8in) square cake pan or deep 22cm (9in) round cake pan, line base and sides of pan with baking paper, extending the paper 5cm (2in) above the sides.
  • 2
    Beat butter, vanilla and sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating until just combined between additions. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; fold in combined sifted flours and milk in two batches. Spread mixture into pan.
  • 3
    Bake cake for 1 hour 10 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave cake in pan for 5 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool.
  • 4
    Make vanilla bean icing: Sift icing sugar into a small heatproof bowl; stir in vanilla and enough water to form a firm paste. Place the bowl over a small saucepan of simmering water; stir until the icing is of a spreadable consistency. Do not over-heat.
  • 5
    Spread icing immediately on the cake, allowing a little to drip over the sides.

The Latest from Australian Women's Weekly Food

More From Women's Weekly Food