A Taste of History: Indulge in This 100-Year-Old Butter Cake Recipe

Photo byAngie Bright

There’s something undeniably special about baking a cake that’s been passed down through generations. The Old-Fashioned Butter Cake is a timeless treasure that has delighted families for over 100 years. Its simple ingredients and method create a nostalgic dessert that takes you back to the kitchens of the past, where every cake was made with love and care. This cake, with its soft, tender crumb and rich buttery flavor, is a true embodiment of old-school baking.

Many cakes today come with long lists of ingredients, but this butter cake sticks to the basics—flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and a few other pantry staples. And yet, despite its simplicity, it delivers big on flavor. It’s the kind of cake that feels familiar, warm, and comforting, making it perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to Sunday family dinners.

The Recipe for Old-Fashioned Butter Cake:

Here’s a recipe that has stood the test of time, still as beloved today as it was 100 years ago.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-inch baking pans and set them aside.
2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add the softened butter, milk, and vanilla. Using a hand mixer, beat the mixture on medium speed for about 2 minutes, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl.
4. Add the eggs and beat for another 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and creamy.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean.
7. Remove from the oven and cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, turn the cakes out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
8. Once cooled, frost the cakes with your favorite frosting. One highly recommended option is the classic "Perfectly Chocolate" frosting from the back of Hershey’s cocoa can.

"Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Frosting:

This rich, velvety frosting pairs perfectly with the light and buttery flavor of the cake. It’s a simple yet indulgent frosting that elevates the old-fashioned butter cake to another level of deliciousness.

Ingredients:

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
• 2/3 cup Hershey's cocoa
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup milk (add a few drops more if needed)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan.
2. Stir in the cocoa powder until combined.
3. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating on medium speed until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency. Add a few more drops of milk if needed.
4. Stir in the vanilla and frost the cooled cake layers.

A Cake That’s Stood the Test of Time:

The Old-Fashioned Butter Cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a piece of history. Biting into this cake is like taking a trip back in time, where the simplest of ingredients and techniques produced some of the most flavorful and satisfying results. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this cake is easy to make and will quickly become a favorite in your home. The soft, buttery layers combined with the rich chocolate frosting make it the perfect treat for any occasion. After all, there’s a reason this recipe has lasted over 100 years—its taste is simply unforgettable.

Here are a few reliable sources for the Old-Fashioned Butter Cake recipe, which has been a classic for over 100 years:

1. Susan Recipes offers a version of this traditional cake, providing step-by-step instructions along with a recommended chocolate frosting recipe from Hershey’s cocoa can​Susan Recipes.
2. Good Old Days highlights the history of the cake, tracing it back to a 1910 McCall’s cookbook. They emphasize the cake's fluffy and moist texture, making it a beloved recipe over the generations​Good Old Days.
3. CookeFast also features this 100-year-old butter cake recipe, recommending the same Hershey’s chocolate frosting to complement its buttery crumb​cookefast.com.
4. Recipes and Kitchen describes this vintage cake as a “100-year-old treasure,” offering tips like substituting buttermilk for extra tenderness​Recipes and Kitchen.