Description
A timeless bakery classic featuring two fluffy sponge layers filled with vanilla frosting, beautifully decorated with chocolate curls.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated white sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla bean paste or high-quality vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 ½ cups (340 g) unsalted butter, thoroughly softened
- 4 ½ cups (540 g) icing sugar, finely sifted
- 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons clear vanilla extract
- A tiny pinch of fine salt
- 50 g high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate block (for shaving)
- ½ cup fine chocolate cake crumbs or dark cocoa cookie crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Lightly grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Beat the eggs and sugar on medium-high speed for 5 minutes until thick and pale. Stir in the vanilla bean paste.
- Combine the milk and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the butter melts and the milk steams.
- Fold the dry ingredients and hot milk mixture into the egg mixture in three batches until smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly between the pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Beat the softened butter until pale and fluffy. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar.
- Stream in vanilla extract, salt, and cream, mixing until smooth and spreadable.
- If the cakes are domed, slice the tops to level them. Place the first sponge layer on a plate, frost the top with one cup of frosting, then add the second layer.
- Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
- Create chocolate curls and sprinkle them on top. Press chocolate crumbs against the bottom edge of the cake.
- Chill for 20 minutes, then slice and serve.
Notes
For a professional-looking frosting, use clear vanilla extract to maintain a bright white color.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: vanilla sponge cake, dessert, cake recipe, baking, chocolate decorations