Velvety Ina Garten White Cake Recipe

Ina Garten’s white cake dazzles dessert lovers with its ethereal charm and melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

Silky layers whisper sweet promises of culinary delight that dance across your palate.

Every forkful celebrates a symphony of delicate flavors and cloudlike texture.

Passionate bakers know this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary confectionery magic.

Precision matters when crafting such a sublime dessert, blending technique with pure ingredient quality.

Professional and home bakers alike revere this classic white cake for its sophisticated simplicity.

Check out this enchanting recipe and unlock the secrets of creating a dessert that will become your signature showstopper.

Ingredient List for Ina Garten White Cake

• Milk: Choose whole milk for richer flavor and creamier texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Select a neutral-flavored oil to maintain cake's delicate taste.
• Almond Extract: Opt for pure extract to enhance nutty undertones.
• Vanilla Extract: Pick high-quality pure vanilla for robust aromatic notes.
• Water: Use filtered water for cleaner taste.
• Everclear: Select high-proof version for smooth gold dust application.

• All-Purpose Flour: Select unbleached flour for better structural integrity.
• Baking Powder: Use fresh powder within expiration date for maximum rise.
• Salt: Prefer fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Powdered Sugar: Sift to remove lumps for silky smooth frosting.
• Gold Dust: Choose edible food-grade metallic powder.

• Unsalted Butter: Select high-fat European-style butter for superior texture.
• Egg Whites: Use room temperature eggs for smoother incorporation.
• White Chocolate: Pick high-quality chocolate with minimum 30% cocoa butter.
• Softened Butter: Ensure butter is precisely room temperature for perfect frosting consistency.
• Food Coloring: Select gel-based colors for vibrant, concentrated hues.

Baking Tools to Make Ina Garten White Cake

• Stand Mixer: Perfect for whipping butter, sugar, and egg whites to fluffy perfection.
• Paddle Attachment: Essential for smooth, even mixing of cake batter.
• Two pans for creating beautiful cake layers.
• Cooling Rack: Helps cakes cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Mixing Bowls: Separate bowls for dry and liquid ingredients keep things organized.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: Great for melting chocolate smoothly.
• Whisk: Helps create silky smooth frosting and chocolate drizzle.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness like a pro baker.
• Fine Paintbrush: Adds gorgeous gold accents to your stunning cake.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient measurements.

Instructions to Bake Ina Garten White Cake

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a cozy 335°F. Grab your cake pans and give them a quick spray or butter massage to prevent sticking.

• Create Flavor Foundation

Whisk together milk, oil, and a splash of almond and vanilla extracts in a bowl. This liquid magic will give your cake its soul-warming essence.

• Mix Dry Whispers

In another bowl, gently combine flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. These quiet ingredients will provide the cake’s sturdy backbone.

• Whip Up Creamy Clouds

Fire up the mixer and transform butter into a silky dream. Gradually shower in sugar, beating until the mixture looks light as a cloud and feels like pure happiness.

• Embrace Egg Whites

Carefully introduce egg whites one by one, letting each settle into the creamy mixture before welcoming the next. This gentle dance creates incredible texture.

• Marry the Mixtures

Tenderly fold dry and liquid ingredients into the butter base. Mix just until everything becomes friends, avoiding overmixing.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour batter into prepared pans and slide into the waiting oven. Bake for 25-35 minutes, watching for that golden moment when a toothpick comes out clean.

• Cool and Preserve

Let cakes rest briefly, then transfer to a cooling rack. Quickly wrap and freeze to lock in moisture and softness.

• Craft Dreamy Frosting

Whip egg whites, powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and a whisper of salt until the mixture transforms into pillowy clouds of sweetness.

• Create Chocolate Magic

Gently melt white chocolate with water, stirring until smooth. Add a hint of color if you’re feeling playful.

• Final Flourish

Drizzle cooled chocolate along cake edges with artistic flair. For an extra touch of glamour, mix a bit of Everclear with gold dust and paint delicate accents that sparkle like edible starlight.

How to Enhance Ina Garten White Cake Flavor

• Egg White Mastery: Ensure egg whites are at room temperature for maximum volume and smoother integration into the batter.
• Moisture Magic: Freezing warm cakes for 15 minutes helps seal in moisture, creating a more tender and soft texture that prevents drying out.
• Drizzle Temperature Control: Let chocolate cool to exactly 90°F for perfect drizzling consistency – too hot will run, too cold will clump.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different extract combinations like lavender, orange, or coconut to create unique flavor profiles that make this cake your signature dessert.

Ways to Present Ina Garten White Cake

• Celebrate with Slice and Share: Cut this elegant cake into beautiful wedges and serve at special gatherings like birthdays, anniversaries, or weekend brunches with close friends and family.
• Pair with Delightful Beverages: Complement the cake's delicate almond and vanilla notes with champagne, sparkling wine, or a light herbal tea for an enhanced tasting experience.
• Create Stunning Presentation: Place each cake slice on a white porcelain plate, garnish with fresh berries or edible gold flakes to highlight the cake's luxurious chocolate drizzle and golden accents.
• Store with Care: Keep leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing the flavors to meld and maintain its moisture and texture.

Save and Store Ina Garten White Cake Properly

• Store Fresh and Fabulous: Keep cake covered in airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2 months for spontaneous dessert moments.
• Frosting Freshness Strategy: Refrigerate frosted cake in sealed container. Remove 30 minutes before serving to restore perfect room temperature texture.
• Smart Slice Preservation: Cut remaining cake into individual portions. Wrap separately in plastic wrap and store in freezer for quick sweet treats anytime.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 345 kcal

Servings: 11

Heavenly Ina Garten White Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s white cake delivers classic elegance with simple ingredients and foolproof technique. Delicate crumb and buttery sweetness make this dessert perfect for celebrations, with bakers finding joy in its straightforward preparation.

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Ingredients

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• 14 oz (396 g) all-purpose flour
• 14 oz (396 g) sugar
• 8 oz (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 10 oz (284 g) milk, room temperature
• 6 large egg whites, room temperature
• 2 oz (57 g) vegetable oil
• 2 ½ tsps baking powder
• 1 tsp clear almond extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 335°F. Grease two 8-inch cake pans with non-stick spray or butter.
2. Liquid Mixture: Whisk milk, vegetable oil, almond extract, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Set aside.
3. Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate container.
4. Butter Creaming: Using a stand mixer, cream butter until smooth. Gradually add sugar, whipping on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
5. Egg Integration: Slowly incorporate egg whites into butter-sugar mixture on low speed, ensuring complete blending after each addition.
6. Batter Assembly: Alternately fold dry ingredients and liquid mixture into the base, starting with dry ingredients and ending with the final dry ingredient portion. Mix until just combined.
7. Baking Process: Evenly distribute batter between prepared pans. Bake for 25-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cooling Technique: Rest cakes in pans for ten minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Freeze wrapped cakes to preserve moisture, then trim browned edges.
9. Frosting Creation: Whisk egg whites and powdered sugar, starting on low speed and increasing to high. Gradually add butter chunks, vanilla extract, and salt.
10. Chocolate Drip Preparation: Melt white chocolate with water in a microwave-safe bowl. Whisk until smooth, then incorporate food coloring.
11. Decorative Finishing: Cool chocolate mixture to 90°F. Apply chocolate drips around cake edges, allowing natural cascade. Once set, create metallic paint by mixing Everclear with gold dust and delicately brush over drips for a luxurious shimmer.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth, silky creaming, which creates a lighter cake texture.
• Egg White Technique: Add egg whites gradually and mix on low speed to prevent deflating the delicate foam, maintaining the cake’s airiness.
• Mixing Method is Crucial: Alternate dry and wet ingredients gently to avoid overmixing, which can lead to a tough, dense cake.
• Freezing Hack: Wrapping and freezing warm cakes helps lock in moisture, preventing the cake from drying out and maintaining its softness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 345
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg