I love baking cakes for birthdays and other celebrations. I started doing that when my son was born - I baked him a cake for every one of his monthly birthdays until he turned one. So I was looking for new cake recipes left and right. I have added quite a few recipes to my repertoire. This perfect eggless birthday chocolate cake is a family favorite. I love these cute mini chocolate layer cakes to make for any celebration as well. This eggless vanilla cake was one of my favorite that I bake quite often. It is easy to make and is perfect for a celebration and even as a nice tea time snack. Also, it is a versatile recipe that can be customized with add-ins. More on customizations below.
Ingredients
Recipe for this eggless vanilla cake is very basic. I used condensed milk, the resulting cake soft, fluffy and slightly moist. Here are the ingredients you need:
For the Vanilla cake:flour - recipe calls for cake flour. That gives the cake a soft and fluffy texture. But if you don’t have cake flour, then use a combination of all-purpose flour and cornstarch. Exact quantities needed for this recipe are under Notes in the recipe card. leaveners - baking powder and baking sodaunsalted butter - adds lots of buttery flavor. But feel free to substitute with neutral flavored oil like canola, grapeseed or light olive oil.condensed milk - this is the key ingredient that adds sweetness and holds everything together in the recipe. milk and vinegar - regular or non-dairy (almond, oat or soy) will work. Apple cider or white vinegar can be used. vanilla extract - use pure vanilla extract or vanilla powder for the best flavor. For the Chocolate Ganache:half n half - or use a combination of milk and creamdark chocolate - feel free to substitute it with milk or bittersweet or semisweet chocolatevanilla extract
Instructions
This recipe makes 1 8" round cake. If you want to make a 2 layer cake, then double the ingredients and bake in 2 8" round cake pans. To make the Cake: To make the Ganache:
Tips & Substitutions
Here are a few tips and substitution ideas to make this delicious cake:
Condensed milk: I have made this recipe many times using low-fat, fat-free and regular condensed milk. All of them work. Vegan condensed milk will work as well.Please note that condensed milk is different from evaporated milk. Condensed milk (aka milkmaid in India) is milk that is quite thick and has added sugar in it. Whereas evaporated milk is slightly creamy and is unsweetened. So make sure to use the right kind of milk in the recipe.Melted butter can be substituted with any neutral flavored oil like canola, grapeseed and light olive oil. milk and vinegar - You can also use buttermilk instead of these. Powdered buttermilk will work as well.vanilla extract - use pure vanilla extract or vanilla powder for the best flavor. Use 2 tablespoons whole milk and 2 tablespoons cream instead of half n half.
How to customize vanilla cake
It is a versatile recipe that can be customized with just about any add-ins. Here are a few ideas to add to the batter before baking to jazz up this basic recipe to something special:
Crushed oreos or other chocolate cookies - this is one of our family favorite. Chocolate Chips - classic and delicious.Nuts - go nuts with these.Tutti-frutty - my Indian family and friends enjoy this variation a lot.Sprinkles - my daughter loves this version.M & M’s - who doesn’t love this??Heath bar bits - this is MY favorite.
If not for the add-ins, you can dress up the cake with your favorite frosting. But just so you know, this is a great to cake just as is. simple with chocolate ganache. Simple treat for big or small celebrations.
