California Pizza Kitchen Butter Cake Recipe
This California Pizza Kitchen Butter Cake Recipe uses butter, eggs, milk, flour, and vanilla to recreate the famous warm restaurant dessert at home.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Small cake pans or ramekins (6–8 oz size)
- Baking sheet
- Oven
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Optional for serving: vanilla ice cream whipped cream, fresh berries
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your ramekins or cake pans generously with butter. Place them on a baking sheet to make transferring in and out of the oven easier.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is important because it creates the structure of the cake while keeping it tender.
- Add the egg and egg yolk, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. The batter should look smooth and glossy at this point.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in stages, alternating with the milk. Mix just until combined. The batter will be thick, and that’s exactly what you want.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Smooth the tops gently.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes for ramekins or 25–30 minutes for a small cake pan. The edges should be set and lightly golden, while the center remains soft. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out with moist crumbs, not clean.
- Let the cakes cool for about 10 minutes, then dust generously with powdered sugar. Serve warm.