Sourdough Vanilla Cake Recipe
This Sourdough Vanilla Cake Recipe transforms leftover sourdough starter into a moist and flavorful dessert. With the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, this cake offers a delightful texture that’s ideal for any occasion. It’s a creative and delicious way to elevate your baking!
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Hand or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Cake pans (2 x 8-inch or 1 x 9×13-inch)
- Cooling rack
- Offset spatula (for frosting)
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup active sourdough starter fed or unfed
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk or whole milk
For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pans or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy using a hand or stand mixer (about 2–3 minutes).
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Mix in the Sourdough Starter
- Add the sourdough starter and mix until fully incorporated. The batter might look a bit curdled—this is normal.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 6: Alternate Dry Ingredients and Milk
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
Step 7: Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: Prepare and Frost
- To make the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla, salt, and cream until smooth and fluffy. Once cakes are fully cooled, frost and assemble as desired.
Notes
Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite mix-ins, like chocolate chips or citrus zest. The sourdough adds a wonderful depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with various additions.