How to Bake a Cake

Basic Steps for Baking a Cake

1. Gather Your Ingredients: Typically, you’ll need flour, sugar, eggs, butter or oil, baking powder, and milk or water.
2. Preheat Your Oven: Set it to the temperature specified in your recipe, usually around 350°F (175°C).
3. Prepare the Pan: Grease and flour your cake pan to prevent sticking.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
6. Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract or other flavorings.
7. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
8. Pour Batter into Pan: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
9. Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for the time specified in your recipe, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Cool and Frost: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.