Okay, let’s talk Christmas baking! If you’re anything like me, the holidays are all about cozy kitchens, the smell of spices, and of course, delicious treats that don’t stress you out. That’s exactly why I’m thrilled to share my absolute go-to: the Never Fail Cake with 1 Cup of Ingredients for Christmas. Seriously, I’ve been making this for years, and it’s a lifesaver when things get hectic. It’s the perfect combination of simplicity and festive flavor, making it my secret weapon for effortless holiday baking. This recipe is so foolproof because it uses that magic “one cup” measurement for all the main players, meaning no complicated weighing or measuring cups flying everywhere. It’s consistently delicious, always turns out beautifully, and has saved my Christmas dessert plans more times than I can count!
Why You’ll Love This Never Fail Cake with 1 Cup of Ingredients for Christmas
Trust me, this cake is a holiday game-changer! Here’s why it’s earned a permanent spot on my Christmas baking list:
- Super Simple Measuring: Seriously, just one cup of the main ingredients! It makes prep a breeze, even when your mind is on a million other things.
- Foolproof Results: It’s practically impossible to mess up. This recipe is designed to be incredibly forgiving, giving you a perfect, moist cake every single time.
- Deliciously Festive: It has that classic, comforting cake flavor that just screams holiday cheer. It’s the perfect canvas for all your festive decorations!
- Quick & Easy: From start to finish, you’re looking at about an hour, which is amazing for busy holiday schedules.
- Crowd Pleaser: Everyone loves it! It’s simple enough for picky eaters but delicious enough for everyone to rave about.
Ingredients for Your Never Fail Cake with 1 Cup of Ingredients for Christmas
Alright, let’s get our ingredients ready! This is where the “one cup” magic really happens. You’ll need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, just make sure it’s softened so it creams up nicely
- 1 cup large eggs – that’s usually about 2 big ones, so crack ‘em into a separate bowl first to make sure you get a full cup!
- 1 cup milk – whole milk is great here for richness, but any milk works!
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – don’t skimp on this, it adds so much warmth!
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – this is what gives our cake its lovely lift!
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – just a pinch to balance all that sweetness.
Having everything measured out before you start makes the whole process so much smoother, especially when you’re trying to get this done between wrapping presents and setting the table!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
A couple of quick notes to make sure your cake is absolutely perfect. The butter really needs to be softened – not melted, but soft enough that you can easily indent it with your finger. This is key for getting that light and fluffy texture when you cream it with the sugar. If you forget to leave it out, a quick trick is to cut it into small cubes and pop it in the microwave for just 10-15 seconds on low power. For the milk, whole milk gives the richest flavor, but if you only have 2% or even skim, it will still work beautifully. You could also use a non-dairy milk like almond or soy if you need to!
How to Prepare Your Never Fail Cake with 1 Cup of Ingredients for Christmas
Alright, let’s get this beautiful cake into the oven! It’s really straightforward, but paying attention to a few little things will make all the difference. Trust me, I’ve learned from a few ‘oops’ moments myself over the years, so you don’t have to!
Step 1: Preparing the Pan and Oven
First things first, let’s get our oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s 175 Celsius). While that’s heating up, grab your 9-inch round cake pan. You want to make sure this cake doesn’t stick, so give it a good grease with butter or cooking spray, then dust it all over with a little flour. Tap out any extra flour – this creates a nice, non-stick surface so your beautiful cake comes out in one piece. It’s like giving the pan a little hug!
Step 2: Creaming Butter and Sugar
Now, grab your softened butter and that cup of sugar. Pop them into a big mixing bowl. This is where the magic starts! You want to cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. I usually use an electric mixer for this, but a good sturdy whisk and some elbow grease work too. Keep going until it’s pale yellow and looks almost like whipped cream – that fluffiness is key for a tender cake!
Step 3: Incorporating Eggs and Vanilla
Next, we’ll add our eggs. It’s important to add them one at a time, beating well after each addition. This helps them blend in smoothly without making the batter look funny. Once the eggs are all mixed in, stir in that teaspoon of vanilla extract. The smell alone is just heavenly, isn’t it?
Step 4: Combining Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, let’s get our dry ingredients together. Whisk the flour with the baking powder and that little pinch of salt. Whisking them helps to distribute the baking powder and salt evenly, so you don’t get any surprise salty bites! Just a quick whisk is all you need.
Step 5: Alternating Dry and Wet Ingredients
This is a super important step for a perfect cake texture, so listen up! You’re going to add the dry ingredients and the milk to your butter-sugar-egg mixture, but do it in turns. Start by adding about a third of the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Then, add about half of the milk and mix again. Keep going like this: dry, wet, dry, wet, dry. Make sure you start and end with the dry ingredients. The most crucial part here is *not to overmix*. Just mix until you don’t see any more flour streaks. Overmixing makes cakes tough, and we definitely don’t want that!
Step 6: Baking the Never Fail Cake with 1 Cup of Ingredients for Christmas
Now, pour all that lovely batter into your prepared cake pan. Spread it out evenly with a spatula so the cake bakes up nice and flat. Pop it into your preheated oven. It should bake for about 30 to 35 minutes. The best way to know it’s done is to stick a wooden skewer or a toothpick right into the center. If it comes out clean, with no wet batter clinging to it, your cake is ready! You might see a few moist crumbs, and that’s perfect!
Step 7: Cooling the Cake
Once it’s baked, let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This little bit of time helps it firm up so it won’t break when you flip it. Then, carefully invert the cake onto a wire cooling rack. Let it cool completely before you even think about frosting or decorating it. Patience is key here, even though it smells amazing!
Tips for a Perfect Christmas Never Fail Cake with 1 Cup of Ingredients
Making this cake is already super easy, but a few little tricks can make it even more special and ensure it’s perfect for your Christmas table. These are my tried-and-true holiday baking tips that I swear by, year after year, to make sure this cake is always a hit!
Achieving the Best Texture
The secret to that wonderfully light and fluffy texture really is all about those ingredients being at the right temperature. Make sure your butter is truly softened – you know, the kind that gives a little when you press it but isn’t melted or greasy. And those eggs? Room temperature is best! This helps everything emulsify beautifully when you’re creaming the butter and sugar, and when you add the eggs. When you’re mixing the dry and wet ingredients, remember what I said: just mix until it’s combined. Overmixing is the enemy of a tender cake, so keep it gentle!
Festive Christmas Decorations
Once your cake is completely cool – and trust me, you’ll want to wait, even though it smells divine! – it’s time for the fun part: decorating! For a classic Christmas look, you can’t go wrong with a simple dusting of powdered sugar. It looks so elegant, like a fresh snowfall. Or, whip up a quick buttercream frosting – maybe a simple vanilla or a cream cheese frosting if you’re feeling fancy. Add some festive sprinkles, maybe red and green ones, or even some crushed candy canes for that extra holiday sparkle. It’s your masterpiece, so have fun with it!
Frequently Asked Questions about Never Fail Cake with 1 Cup of Ingredients for Christmas
Got questions about this super simple Christmas cake? I’ve got you covered! This recipe is designed to be so easy, but it’s always good to have a few things cleared up, especially during the holiday rush.
Q: Can I really use just one cup of each main ingredient?
Absolutely! That’s the beauty of this recipe. It uses one cup each of flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and milk, making it incredibly easy to measure and remember. It’s my go-to for stress-free holiday baking.
Q: What makes this cake “never fail”?
It’s all about the proportions and the simple mixing method! By using equal parts of the main ingredients and following the steps carefully, especially not overmixing, you get a consistently moist and tender cake every single time. It’s a lifesaver for even beginner bakers!
Q: Can I add anything to the batter for extra flavor?
You sure can! While it’s delicious as is, you could add about half a cup of festive additions like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even some dried cranberries. A little sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg in the dry ingredients is also lovely for that extra holiday touch!
Q: How should I store any leftover cake?
Once completely cooled, you can store this cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’ve frosted it with something that needs refrigeration, then of course, keep it in the fridge!
Nutritional Information for Never Fail Cake with 1 Cup of Ingredients for Christmas
Now, I’m not a nutritionist or anything, but I can give you a pretty good idea of what you’re looking at with a slice of this cake. Keep in mind these are estimates, and they can change a bit depending on exactly what you use! A typical serving usually has around 300 calories, about 15g of fat (with about 9g of that being saturated), 40g of carbs, and a good chunk of sugar at around 20g. It’s definitely a treat, but a delicious one for the holidays!
Print
Flawless Christmas Cake: 1 Cup Secret Revealed
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and foolproof cake recipe perfect for Christmas, using only one cup of each main ingredient for easy measurement.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup eggs (about 2 large eggs)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- You can add festive decorations like frosting, sprinkles, or a dusting of powdered sugar for Christmas.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- This cake is delicious served with a cup of tea or coffee.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: cake, Christmas, easy cake, simple cake, one cup cake, holiday baking, dessert recipe