Step-By-Step Vintage Cake Recipe for Beginners
This vintage cake recipe brings back the soft texture and rich flavor of old-school desserts—perfect for cozy family gatherings or special occasions!
Equipment
- Stand or hand mixer
- 3 x 6-inch cake pans
- Rotating cake stand
- Offset spatulas
- Piping bags and assorted tips
- Bench scraper
- Serrated knife
- Digital kitchen scale
- Mixing bowls
- Wire cooling racks
Ingredients
Vintage Cake Base
- 2 ½ cups 300g all-purpose flour (King Arthur recommended)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup 226g unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups 350g granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup 240ml whole milk, room temperature
Swiss Meringue Buttercream
- 150 g egg whites about 5 large eggs
- 320 g caster sugar
- 400 g unsalted butter room temperature
Optional Add-ins
- Beet powder matcha, cocoa (for natural coloring)
- Sugar pearls gold leaf, edible lace (for decoration)
Instructions
Prepare Cake Batter
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line 3 x 6-inch cake pans.
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time.
- Mix in vanilla. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk.
- Divide into pans and bake 25–30 minutes. Test with a toothpick.
- Cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
Level and Chill Layers
- Use a serrated knife to level each layer.
- Wrap and chill for 30 minutes before assembly.
Make Swiss Meringue Buttercream
- Heat egg whites and sugar over simmering water until 160°F.
- Whip to stiff peaks. Slowly add butter until creamy and smooth.
- Optional: Add natural food coloring.
Assemble Cake
- Use a cake board with a dab of frosting to anchor the first layer.
- Spread even layers of buttercream between cakes.
- Apply crumb coat, chill for 20 minutes.
- Finish with final coat using a bench scraper for sharp edges.
Decorate
- Use star, petal, leaf, and round piping tips to decorate.
- Apply sugar pearls, vintage floral patterns, or edible gold.
- Stick to vintage color palettes: blush, ivory, mint, lavender.