Mrs NgSK's Butter Cake

Ingredients

• 230 g Butter (Mrs Ng reduced from 250g; use high-quality butter like SCS)
• 200 g Sugar (divided (some for creaming, some for egg whites))
• 4 Eggs (separated into yolks and whites)
• 200 g Self-raising flour (sifted)
• 60 ml Milk
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract (add more if egg fragrance is too strong)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Grease and line an 8-inch (20cm) square cake pan.

2. 2

   Separate the 4 eggs into yolks and whites.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, cream the 230g butter with a portion of the sugar (approximately 150g) until pale and fluffy. If using a KitchenAid, use speed 4-6 with a paddle attachment.

4. 4

   Add the egg yolks one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition.

5. 5

   Stir in the vanilla extract.

6. 6

   Fold in the sifted self-raising flour in three batches, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour.

7. 7

   In a separate clean bowl, beat the 4 egg whites on high speed until foamy. Gradually add the remaining 50g of sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.

8. 8

   Gently fold the egg whites into the butter batter in three batches until just combined, being careful not to deflate the mixture.

9. 9

   Pour the batter into the prepared pan and level the top.

10. 10

    Bake at 170°C for about 35-40 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 150°C for the final 10-15 minutes to ensure the center is cooked without over-browning the top.

11. 11

    Test the cake by inserting a skewer into the center; it should come out clean. The cake may have a slight hump in the oven but should flatten out as it cools.

12. 12

    Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Using high-quality butter is essential for the flavor of this cake. If the cake is dense at the bottom, try moving the oven rack higher. If using a convection or toaster oven, you may need to lower the temperature slightly (around 160°C).

Nutrition per serving

• cake
• dessert
• butter cake
• baking
• tea time
• classic