How to Bake a Cake from Scratch (Step by Step for Beginners)

There is no feeling quite like baking a soft, fluffy cake from scratch. Whether you are baking for a wedding, birthday, or simply to enjoy something delicious, cake baking is wonderful and exciting. While it may seem daunting at first, cake baking is simple once you are familiar with and understand the fundamentals.

This guide explains everything you will need to know on how to bake a cake, from ingredients and equipment to baking and decorating, so even if you are new to the world of baking, you will be prepared and ready to bake your first (or best) cake ever.

Key Insights

1. Preparation is the secret to a fantastic cake. Having all you need in ingredients and equipment before you start is the most important step.
2. Getting the butter and sugar creamed just right results in the light, airy texture every fantastic cake requires.
3. Careful baking and cooling prevent the common problems of collapsed centers and runny frosting.
4. Quick mix-in flavorings and clever decorating shortcuts can completely transform your cake from basic to incredible.

How to Bake a Cake Step by Step

1. Prepare Your Ingredients and Equipment

You cannot measure or mix until your equipment and ingredients are ready. Baking is like science and measurements matter. The following is a basic list of what you will need to make a simple vanilla cake:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk (use milk + vinegar or lemon juice if not available)

Equipment:

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Electric mixer or hand whisk
• Spatula
• 8 or 9-inch round cake pans
• Parchment paper

Preparation Tips:

• Have your butter and eggs at room temperature when using them.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), and grease cake pans, the bottom of which is lined with parchment paper for non-stick.
• Always measure the ingredients carefully

2. Mixing the Batter the Right Way

Now that your ingredients are prepared, it’s time to mix your batter. All these steps are necessary in order to give your cake the correct texture and shape.

Step-by-Step Mixing Process:

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the sugar and butter until it becomes light and fluffy (3–5 minutes). This step incorporates air, which causes your cake to rise.

Add the eggs one at a time and beat until just combined before adding the next. Now put in your vanilla extract.

Whisk your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in another bowl.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk (begin and end with flour). Mix on low speed, and don’t overmix your batter—just mix until it’s just combined. Overmixing will result in a dense or rubbery cake.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently to ensure everything is well combined.

3. Baking and Cooling Your Cake Properly

Now it’s time to bake your batter!

How to Bake:

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Use a spatula to smooth the tops and tap the pans gently on the counter to remove air bubbles.

Bake 22–25 minutes, or until the center of the cake is clean when tested with a toothpick.

Don’t open the oven door too soon; the cake will collapse and fall apart. Wait at least 20 minutes.

Let your cakes cool for a few minutes, 5–10, in their pans before cooling on a wire rack or tray.

Cool completely before frosting. If you frost a warm cake, the frosting will melt and run off.

Don’t skip the cooling time. A hot cake will crumble and not hold frosting very well.

4. Frosting and Decorations for Your Cake

Once it has cooled completely, you can then get on with the fun part—frosting and decorating it as you desire!

Basic Buttercream Frosting Recipe:

• 1 cup softened unsalted butter
• 3–4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream

Step-by-Step Frosting Process:

Beat the butter until creamy.

Add powdered sugar a cup at a time, beating on low speed.

Beat in vanilla and milk on high 2–3 minutes until fluffy.

Frost with thin layer to cover loose crumbs. Chill 15–20 minutes before last coat.

Smooth with a spatula or use a piping bag for pretty edges or swirls.

You can also decorate with sprinkles, fruit, chocolate shavings, or edible flowers, depending on the occasion.

5. Variations and Flavor Add-Ins

Now that you’ve mastered a basic cake, it’s easy to get creative! Here are a few ideas to level up your baking:

Flavor Variations:

• Add lemon zest and juice for a tangy lemon cake.
• Add cocoa powder to mix in for a chocolate variation.
• Replace vanilla extract with almond or coconut extract for unique flavor variations.

Filling Ideas:

• Add a layer of jam, lemon curd, or Nutella between the cake layers.
• Use whipped cream and sliced fruit for a fresh, light filling.

Texture Mix-ins:

• Mix in chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits into batter before baking.
• Toasting coconut or crushing cookies and sprinkling on top of cake adds a crunchy texture.

Do not overload the batter with excessive add-ins that will cause the cake to sink or bake poorly.

Common Cake Problems and Solutions

If your cake sank in the middle, you likely opened the oven door too early, had incorrect oven temperature, or overmixed the batter.

A dense cake usually results from overmixing batter or using cold ingredients.

Runny frosting happens when the cake wasn’t completely cool or the frosting was too warm.

Cake sticking to the pan means insufficient greasing or removing too early.

Storage Tips

Unfrosted cake can be wrapped tightly and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days. Frosted cake should be stored covered at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerated for up to 1 week.

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Conclusion

Baking a cake can be difficult to do the first time, but then it becomes simple and fun. Provided that you have the right equipment, accurate measurements, and patience, you can achieve great-looking and great-tasting cakes. Whether for yourself or another person, there is such a great feeling of accomplishment that comes from having baked a cake from scratch.

So go ahead, preheat your oven, and prepare your ingredients in advance, and bake yourself to cake perfection. The sweetest results await you!