Ina Garten White Cake Recipe

Ina Garten’s Dreamy White Cake Recipe: Perfect Every Time

Ina Garten white cake stands as a pinnacle of simple elegance in the world of desserts.

Sweet memories dance through kitchens where this delicate confection emerges golden and tender.

Bakers adore its subtle complexity, which transforms basic ingredients into something magical.

Professional techniques elevate this classic recipe beyond ordinary home baking expectations.

Soft, light textures promise a melt-in-your-mouth experience that delights every palate.

Butter and vanilla intertwine to create a symphony of rich, comforting flavors.

Precise measurements and careful mixing guarantee a consistently perfect result every single time: Get ready to wow your guests with this irresistible treat!

Why Ina Garten White Cake Feels So Classic

Why Ina Garten White Cake Feels So Classic
  • Create Bakery-Quality Cake at Home: Whip up a professional-level white cake that rivals any fancy bakery, right in your own kitchen with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
  • Perfectly Tender Crumb Texture: This recipe delivers an incredibly soft, delicate cake with a moist interior that melts in your mouth, creating a luxurious eating experience that feels light and heavenly.
  • Versatile Dessert for Any Occasion: Whether you're celebrating a birthday, hosting a dinner party, or craving a sweet treat, this classic white cake works beautifully as a standalone dessert or as a base for frosting and decorations.

Ingredients List for Ina Garten White Cake

Cake Ingredients:
  • Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar: Creamy base that provides rich sweetness and tender texture, with butter at room temperature for smooth mixing.
  • Eggs: Binding agent that adds structure and richness to the cake, preferably large eggs at room temperature.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor and enhances overall cake taste, pure vanilla gives best results.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Primary structure of the cake, unbleached flour recommended for consistent texture.
  • Baking Powder: Leavening agent that helps cake rise and become light and fluffy, fresh and unexpired for best results.
Liquid Ingredient:
  • Milk: Moistens the batter and helps create smooth, tender cake crumb, whole milk preferred for richer flavor.

Instructions to Bake Ina Garten White Cake

Instructions to Bake Ina Garten White Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Grab a 9-inch square cake pan and generously coat it with butter, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, whip butter and sugar together until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture. Gently fold in eggs one by one, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Splash in vanilla extract for a delightful aroma.

Step 3: Blend Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine your dry ingredients:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder

Sift these together to eliminate any lumps and ensure a smooth texture.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly introduce the dry ingredients into the creamy butter mixture. Stir gently until everything is harmoniously blended. Pour in milk and mix until the batter becomes silky and uniform.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the velvety batter into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, creating a smooth surface.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Remove the cake from the oven. Let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack. Allow it to cool completely before slicing and enjoying your homemade masterpiece.

Helpful Tips for Ina Garten White Cake

Helpful Tips for Ina Garten White Cake
  • Whip Butter and Sugar to Perfection: Cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light, pale, and fluffy, which helps create a tender, soft cake texture with a delicate crumb.
  • Temperature Matters: Pull out all ingredients at least an hour before baking to ensure they're at room temperature, allowing for smoother mixing and more even baking.
  • Precise Flour Measurement: Use the spoon-and-level method when measuring flour to avoid packed, dense measurements that can make the cake tough and dry.
  • Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold ingredients together just until combined to prevent developing too much gluten, which can result in a dense, chewy cake.
  • Pan Preparation Trick: Grease the cake pan thoroughly and line the bottom with parchment paper to guarantee an easy release and beautiful cake presentation.

Storage Notes for Ina Garten White Cake

  • Refrigeration Strategy: Seal cake slices in vacuum-sealed bags to maximize freshness and prevent moisture loss. Professional bakers recommend this method to maintain optimal texture and taste for up to a week.
  • Freezing Technique: Carefully slice cake into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each slice separately in parchment paper, then place in a hard-sided freezer container to prevent potential freezer burn and preserve delicate cake structure.
  • Counter Storage Method: Position cake under a glass cake dome with a silicone seal to protect from air exposure. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources, ensuring room temperature remains consistent between 68-72 degrees for ideal preservation.

Creative Twists for Ina Garten White Cake

  • Citrus Burst: Enhance the cake's flavor by adding lemon or orange zest to the batter. Replace vanilla extract with corresponding citrus extract for an extra vibrant taste.
  • Coconut Dream: Mix shredded coconut into the batter and sprinkle more on top before baking. Swap milk with coconut milk to intensify the tropical profile.
  • Berry Bliss: Fold fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries into the batter just before pouring into the pan. Reduce milk by 2 tablespoons to compensate for berry moisture.
  • Almond Classic: Incorporate 1/2 cup ground almonds into the flour mixture and add 1 teaspoon almond extract alongside vanilla. Garnish with sliced almonds on top for a crunchy texture.

Last Slice of Ina Garten White Cake

Ina Garten’s white cake emerges as pure culinary poetry, blending classic technique with delightful simplicity.

Classic Baker method shines through each carefully measured ingredient, creating heavenly texture and balanced flavor profile.

Butter-sugar creaming technique promises extraordinary cake consistency that melts on palates everywhere.

Professional home bakers can master this recipe with confidence, knowing Ina’s foolproof instructions guarantee delectable results.

Graceful preparation meets sublime taste in this signature dessert that celebrates pure baking pleasure.

Baking adventure calls – snap those mouthwatering shots, share this delectable dish across social platforms, and spread sweet inspiration with fellow cake enthusiasts!

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Low Carb Keto Bagels Recipe

Low Carb Keto Bagels Recipe


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4.6 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Keto bagels deliver a delightful twist on classic breakfast favorites, combining almond flour, cream cheese, and eggs into a golden-brown masterpiece. Savory and satisfying, these low-carb delights provide you with a guilt-free way to enjoy your morning bread without compromising nutritional goals.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Cheese Ingredients:

  • 280g (2 ½ cups) Mozzarella Cheese, shredded (must be pre-shredded or hard mozzarella, not soft “fresh” mozzarella)
  • 55g (2 oz) Cream Cheese, cubed

Flour and Binding Ingredients:

  • 150g (1 ½ cups) Blanched Almond Flour
  • 60g (½ cup) Coconut Flour
  • 2 tablespoons Baking Powder
  • 5 large Eggs

Topping Ingredients:

  • Cooking spray (to help toppings stick)
  • Sesame Seeds
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 190°C (375°F) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal bagel baking.
  2. Create a dry ingredient base by processing almond flour (or coconut flour) with baking powder in a food processor until perfectly blended, ensuring no lumps remain.
  3. Incorporate eggs into the dry mixture, blending thoroughly to create a smooth, consistent foundation for the bagel dough.
  4. Melt cheese components by combining shredded mozzarella and cubed cream cheese in a large microwave-safe bowl, heating for 2 minutes and stirring midway to achieve a completely liquid consistency.
  5. Transform the melted cheese mixture into a unified dough by pulsing in the food processor, ensuring no visible cheese strands or flour pockets remain. If mixing manually, knead persistently, using brief microwave warming if the dough becomes too stiff.
  6. Divide the prepared dough into 6 equal portions, carefully rolling each into a long log and forming elegant rings positioned on the prepared baking sheet.
  7. Enhance visual appeal and flavor by lightly spraying bagels with cooking spray and generously sprinkling with sesame seeds or everything seasoning, gently pressing toppings to adhere.
  8. Bake the bagels for approximately 15 minutes, monitoring until they achieve a golden-brown exterior and firm texture.
  9. Allow bagels to rest and stabilize for a minimum of 15 minutes after baking, which significantly improves internal texture and overall eating experience.

Notes

  • Grab pre-shredded or hard mozzarella to prevent soggy dough that falls apart during baking.
  • Thoroughly melt and blend mozzarella and cream cheese before mixing with flour to ensure a silky, consistent texture.
  • Keep the dough warm and pliable by microwaving for 15-20 seconds if it becomes stiff during shaping.
  • Create uniform bagels by rolling dough into equal-sized logs, using lightly greased hands to prevent sticky situations.
  • Allow bagels to rest and firm up for at least 15 minutes after baking, giving them the perfect texture before slicing or serving.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 360 kcal
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 360mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 8.3g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 21g
  • Cholesterol: 113mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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