26 May 2016

Homemade Cake Mix - Vanilla Butter Cake

Homemade Cake Mix - Vanilla Butter Cake / www.delightfulrepast.com

I didn't grow up with a mom who used cake mixes, so I've never used them. But one day when I was making my vanilla butter cake and saw one of my quart jars sitting on the counter, I thought, Why not just measure out the dry ingredients for another cake or two while you're at it? After all, it's the measuring or weighing that takes the most time. 

And I've made this an easy one-bowl cake recipe that takes just a few minutes and starts with creaming the softened butter. I use a stand mixer for it, but you can use a hand mixer or even, as my mother usually did, just a big wooden spoon. I'll post variations soon, including chocolate, but included here are the directions for the vanilla butter cake. 

This makes a nice host(ess) gift when you've been invited to dinner and want to take something that the host(ess) can use later. You can do something fancier with the recipe card than I did here: just ivory card stock and kitchen string to tie it round the neck of the canning jar. 

Homemade Cake Mix - Vanilla Butter Cake / www.delightfulrepast.com


The texture of this cake is perfect, tender and fluffy but sturdy enough for layering and easy slicing.

And here is the Homemade Cake Mix - Chocolate Butter Cake.



Homemade Cake Mix 


(Makes two 8-inch layers or 24 cupcakes) 

The Cake Mix 

2 dip-and-sweep cups (10 ounces/283 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (10.5 ounces/298 grams) sugar
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt 

The Cake Batter 

1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces/170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup (8 fluid ounces/237 ml) milk, room temperature
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

1 Into a quart canning jar for each cake mix, measure flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; whisk it with a fork; put on a lid. 

2 On baking day, bring the butter, milk and eggs to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350F/180C/Gas4. Grease well and lightly flour two 8-inch layer pans

3 In large mixing bowl (I use a Cuisinart stand mixer), beat the softened butter on medium speed for 1 minute. Add cake mix to butter; mix on low speed for 1 minute. Add milk, eggs and vanilla extract; mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened. With mixer on medium-high speed, beat for 1 1/2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and beat on medium-high for another 30 seconds. 

4 Pour into prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. 

5 Cool in pans on wire racks for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on racks for at least an hour, until completely cool, before frosting.

Or just top slices with lemon curd and whipped cream (as pictured below).

Homemade Cake Mix - Vanilla Butter Cake / www.delightfulrepast.com

74 comments:

Thomas "Sully" Sullivan said...

Well, this is historic. 5 cleavers, upfront! Cake, cake, cake…let them eat cake. Just reading your words, I no longer need breakfast. But I’ll have a second helping of cake, please. And I like your prepping out the measurements in glass jars for future repasts. Sort of like the Dr. Fu Manchu of tastebuds and culinary delights. May I lick out the frosting bowl?

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

I'm so honored -- the 5 cleavers, upfront! And you could become famous in your circle for giving these as host(ess) gifts. Just buy a dozen 1-quart wide-mouth canning jars, a couple 5-pound bags of flour, a couple 4-pound bags of sugar, etc. and make a dozen at once. Print out a recipe card or make it easy on yourself and just write the URL of this blog post on it!

Richard Sheppard said...

Delicious looking cake, especially with that lemon curd frosting! I love the homemade cake mix jar idea. The card included could have a little watercolor painted on it to use as a gift. Thanks for the great idea and the recipe too!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Richard, whoever gets a jar of homemade cake mix with a little watercolor you've painted on the card is going to love it. That card will definitely be a keeper (so be sure it has my URL on it! wink wink)!

Angie's Recipes said...

The cake looks great! The cake mix is for sure a great hostess gift.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Angie, thank you! I need to make a big batch for gifting over the next month or two.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Marilyn! Pins and Yums and all sharing is soooooo appreciated!

Richard Sheppard said...

Of course your URL would go on it! :-) BTW, I forgot to ask what size jar do you recommend?

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Richard, these are 1-quart wide-mouth canning jars.

Daniela said...

Oh, my dearest Jean, with this recipe of yours you truly won my heart !
I have a folder with all the links of your posts and this last one is going to reach the others {{smiles}} !!!

Hope you're having a beautiful week I wish you most wonderful days to come, sending my dearest love, hugs and more hugs to you

Dany

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Oh, this is wonderful! I love the idea of using these as hostess gifts, too. Thank-you so much for sharing and for the great lemon-curd recipe in the previous post. The two together would make a wonderful gift for any occasion. xx K

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you so much, Dany! It has been a beautiful week. Hugs to you.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Karen, I'm so glad you liked the homemade cake mix and lemon curd posts. And putting the together as a gift would make me very happy!

Quinn said...

What a nice idea for a take-along gift! And you last picture with the lemon curd...oh my!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Quinn! And a compliment on the cake and curd picture means a lot coming from a photographer like you!

Jeanie said...

This looks fabulous! I don't know why people make cakes from mixes when home isn't all that tough! And I love the term "dip and sweep." Perfect!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Jeanie! And have you seen the list of ingredients of cake mixes? Kinda scary.

Margaret D said...

Never made a cake with cake mix, always make my own.

Debra @ Bowl Me Over said...

Love the idea for gift giving - super cool! I'll take my slice with the lemon curd and whipped cream, that looks just perfect!! Thanks for sharing with us at #FoodieFriDIY!!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Margaret, I had a neighbor who always used cake mixes, and I seem to remember the chocolate ones tasted better than the white or yellow ones.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Debra! And thanks for hosting!

Bernideen said...

Dear Jean:
Now that is a very sweet gift idea Jean! Even children could makes these for gifts! I'm suredprinting this out. Thanks for sharing and linking.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Bernideen! I wish I'd thought of it when *I* was a kid!

Debbie Harris said...

Wonderful idea. I would like to make this and have it in the jars on hand just for my own use too.
Thank you for sharing another great recipe and creation for us to enjoy.
Blessings~~

TONY said...

Ah Jean, you have found another use for lemon curd. You have turned it into something sophisticated!! I always think of it as something cheep and a working class treat, but there you go. "The times they are a changin'." Have you heard the story about Bob Dylan and the Beetles bus tour in Liverpool? I'm getting off the point here. Oh yes, wide mouthed jars. Have you heard the story about the wide mouthed frog? I am REALLY getting off the point now. Have a lovely day Jean. I am very pleased that you Americans are getting into lemon curd.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Debbie, thank you so much! I'm all for anything that makes life easier (as long as it's homemade)!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Tony! The Beatles and Bob Dylan -- I'd like to have been on *that* bus tour! Not sure how lemon curd could be thought a "cheap and working class treat" -- maybe an off-brand of the stuff in jars -- but organic eggs, butter, etc are, unfortunately, not cheap. A lot of people find the word "curd" rather off-putting, but once they try it ...

TONY said...

Ah, Jean, after the Second World War we got cheap butter from New Zealand, eggs, seemed to be plentiful and you could buy lemons, cheaply from Spain. They were all cheap ingredients then.
As for Bob Dylan, I must explain. Liverpool does a few Beetles related things for tourist. The city council have bought up two of the Beetles childhood homes, John Lennons Aunty Mamies house in Menlove Avenue and Paul McCartneys childhood home , an old council house, in Forthlin Road. They run a couple of small mini vans driven by guides. Myself and three old school friends did the tour together. I lived in Liverpool during my adolescence and attended a school in Menlove Avenue near John Lennons old home. As we were driving along the bus driver told us how the previous year he picked up his group of customers in Liverpool docks. A scruffy old man got on board and sat at the back of the bus. He seemed very interested in John Lennon especially and asked a lot of questions when they were all standing in John Lennons childhood bedroom. He was very chatty with the other people in the group. The driver noticed he had a gruff American accent. The peopl in the group got on with him. At the end of the trip he shook hands and said goodby to everybody and walked off. One the peopl on the tour turned to the driver and said, " that was Bob Dyln." This story was in the local Liverpool news and has been verified by Bob Dylnas staff.

Michelle said...

What a lovely gift idea, Jean...so thoughtful. Who wouldn't love getting a gift like that?!!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Michelle, thanks so much.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a great idea, Jean, and yes, perfect for hostess gifts!! I LOVE this!! Who wouldn't appreciate getting a quart jar of this yumminess? I know I sure would! Thank you!
Happy Memorial Day to you!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Kitty, thank you! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, too!

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

This would be great to have on hand....and it makes a great gift to someone else or yourself! Thanks for sharing and stopping by!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Cathy, I like the way you think, "great gift to someone else *or yourself*!"

handmade by amalia said...

A great idea, Jean. I'm always looking for time-savers in the kitchen.
Amalia
xo

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Amalia. Yes, I appreciate time-savers in the kitchen more and more these days!

Tania Pelletier said...

I would love to get a hostess gift like this! Those cakes look delicious!

Tania

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, LVC! They look kind of vintage, too, don't they?

Telma said...

delicious :)

http://trapeziovermelho.blogspot.pt

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Telma! I think you might be my first commenter from Portugal!

Art and Sand said...

It looks delicious and is a great gift!

Thanks for sharing with SYC.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank *you* - love SYC!

Cocoa and Lavender said...

I think this is a great idea for gifts, Jean! I make a scone mix the same way, but never thought of cake!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, David. Mmm ... scone mix is a good idea, too. I want everyone who sees your comment to follow the link to your fantastic fungi post!

April J Harris said...

What a great idea, Jean! I love the idea of having a homemade cake mix on hand! Your cake looks lovely too.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, April! It's great to be able to have a bit of a head start on a busy day!

Stacey said...

I think this is a wonderful idea! You reach for them at a moments notice and packed up as a gift is an adorable idea.

Thank you so much for sharing this at Thoughts of Home. :)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Stacey! Love Thoughts of Home!

Decor To Adore said...

Jean I am definitely going to do this. So often I don't bake because of all the measuring but no more. My family thanks you!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Laura, thank you! You just made my day!

Anonymous said...

Oh my! That looks so good with the lemon curd and whipped cream!

Making up a homemade cake mix to have on hand is a great idea! Thanks!

Love,
Lily

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Lily! It *was* good, even if I do say so myself! :D I'm going to post my chocolate one next.

Unknown said...

I'm a huge fan of gifts in a jar and this would make a lovely one to give as a hostess or thank you gift. Homemade cakes are way better than boxed.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Erin! You can throw *anything* in a mason jar, and I'll think it's the most wonderful gift anyone ever gave me!

Anonymous said...

I love this idea as a takeaway for Bunco night! "Hey, this cake is delicious. Can I have the recipe?" Oh, I can do better than that :) (found you on WAYWOW).

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Halfa1000miles, thanks so much! That's a great idea!

Pom Pom said...

Hi Jean! Oh, your cake looks delicious!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Karen! And it comes together so quickly with the homemade cake mix.

Swathi said...

That is wonderful gift idea Jean, I love to try it for coming christmas, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning, tweeting and featuring this week.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Swathi, thank you. I'm glad you like it! I so appreciate your pins and tweets and such.

Dori said...

This is an excellent gift idea and the cake looks delicious! :)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Dori! Are (store-bought) cake mixes as popular in the UK as the US?

Kathi said...

I do the same thing, making mixes with my cake/muffin/bread recipes. It saves so much time! I have a favorite chocolate cake but haven't yet found the perfect vanilla cake - this might be the one! Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Kathi at Oak Hill Homestead

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Kathi, thank you! I hope it IS! It is our favorite.

Unknown said...

Jean, what a great idea! I have canning jars sitting here waiting to be filled when the garden produces, but for now they are empty. I always feel so unhealthy when we grab a mix, it's just quicker! But this will help us to use better ingredients and always have cake mix on hand. Brilliant!

And the lemon curd on the cake looks so delish!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Nikki, thank you! I do especially love it with the lemon curd. I hope you'll try it soon and put those jars to work!

3 Little Buttons said...

Your cake looks delicious and what a great idea to make your own cake mix so it's ready to use. How long would you normally keep it for? Thank you for linking up to the #DreamTeam

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, 3LB! I'd think there'd be no problem keeping it for, say, 3 months. Maybe longer, but I couldn't say.

Val said...

I love making homemade cakes and prefer not to use a mix if I don't need to. I'll have to try yours! Stopping by from the Country Fair Blog Party!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Val, I hope you will! It's all the convenience, none of the awful chemicals!

Carlee said...

I love this idea so much! I have been trying to decide a few more little gifts for folks and this idea takes the cake! ;-)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Love the pun, Carlee! Like you, I have a thing for jars and just love anything in a jar!

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Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Anonymous. I hope you'll try lots of the recipes!