This was my grandmother’s favorite cake!

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cake Batter:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This helps evenly distribute the dry ingredients and ensures the cake will rise beautifully.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 3-5 minutes. This step is crucial for creating a soft, moist cake texture.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

2. Incorporate the Dry and Wet Ingredients:

• Alternately add the flour mixture and sour cream to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. If the batter seems too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until the batter reaches a smooth, slightly thick but pourable consistency.
• Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this could make the cake dense.

3. Bake the Cake:

• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to make sure it’s even.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
• Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Optional Garnishing:

• Once the cake has cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar for a simple finishing touch, or if you’re feeling indulgent, you can frost it with your favorite frosting (cream cheese frosting or whipped cream works beautifully).
• Serve the cake as-is, or pair it with fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra sweetness.

5. Serve and Enjoy:

• Slice the cake into generous portions and enjoy the warm, nostalgic flavors with friends and family. It’s the perfect cake to serve after dinner, for a coffee break, or simply as a sweet afternoon treat.

Why This Cake Was My Grandmother’s Favorite

My grandmother wasn’t one for overly complicated recipes or extravagant desserts. She believed in the power of simplicity and quality ingredients, and this cake reflects her philosophy perfectly. It’s a dessert that doesn’t need to be fancy to be impressive—it’s all about comfort, flavor, and tradition.

For her, baking was a way to show love. The soft, tender cake brought warmth and joy to every gathering, and the familiar smell of it baking in the oven was enough to bring a smile to anyone’s face. It was a cake she baked for every family birthday, every holiday gathering, and sometimes just because it made her happy to share something she made with her own hands.

Tips for Making the Perfect Cake

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them incorporate better into the batter, resulting in a smoother texture.
• Don’t Skip the Sour Cream: Sour cream is the secret ingredient in this cake. It not only adds richness but also keeps the cake moist for days. If you don’t have sour cream, you can substitute with plain yogurt or buttermilk.
• Flavor Variations: While the vanilla flavor in this cake is delicious, you can also experiment by adding a teaspoon of almond extract, lemon zest, or even a handful of chocolate chips or chopped nuts for added texture and flavor.
• Make it a Layer Cake: If you want to take it a step further, you can make two cakes, layer them, and frost them with your favorite icing for a more decadent version of this family favorite.

Conclusion

This grandmother’s favorite cake is a celebration of love, tradition, and the joy of sharing something homemade with those you care about. Its moist texture, subtle sweetness, and comforting flavor make it the perfect dessert for any occasion. Whether you’re baking it to carry on a family tradition or simply because you’re craving a delicious treat, this cake will always remind you of the warm memories tied to those who came before you.

Bake this cake for your family, and you might just create the kind of memories that will be cherished for years to come. It’s more than just a cake—it’s a connection to the past and a gift of love for the future.