Description
A classic vanilla butter cake adorned with chocolate ears, perfect for birthdays and celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups (312 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, room temperature
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 4 oz (115 g) semisweet chocolate or chocolate melts
- 1 1/2 cups (340 g) unsalted butter, room temperature (for buttercream)
- 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 tbsp (30–45 ml) heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for buttercream)
- Pinch of fine sea salt (for buttercream)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing until incorporated. Stir in vanilla extract.
- With mixer on low, add the dry mix in three additions, alternating with the milk in two additions, beginning and ending with dry mix. Mix until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly between the two pans and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a rack to cool completely.
- Beat 1 1/2 cups butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then increase to medium until fluffy. Add vanilla, salt, and cream to reach spreading consistency.
- Melt chocolate in 20–30 second bursts in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Pour melted chocolate into molds, chill until set, and then remove.
- Level cake tops, place the first layer on a cake board, add about 1–1 1/2 cups buttercream, and spread evenly. Top with the second layer and apply a crumb coat of frosting. Chill for 15–20 minutes.
- Apply the final coat of frosting and decorate with colored frosting for Mickey’s shorts; press chocolate ears gently into the top.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for even mixing. Chill layers briefly before frosting to reduce crumbs.
- Prep Time: 50 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 770
- Sugar: 69g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 43g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 91g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 150mg