Southern Butter Cake with Unreal Frosting

by

Sure! Here’s a comprehensive, fun, and detailed cake recipe write-up that covers everything you asked for—from introduction to lovers of the cake—with a rich and expressive tone. I’ll base this on a beloved classic-style frosted cake that fits the excitement you’ve shared: a Southern Butter Cake with Whipped Cooked Frosting (a.k.a. “The Unreal Frosting Cake”).

Southern Butter Cake with Unreal Frosting

The Cake That’s Been Passed Around Like a Secret Love Letter

Introduction

Some recipes aren’t just made—they’re discovered, often at the right moment when hearts are hungry and souls crave nostalgia. This Southern Butter Cake is one of those hidden gems that circulates through whispers at potlucks, slips through text messages between friends, and earns a sacred spot in handwritten family cookbooks. The frosting? It’s so light, so silky, so ethereal, people just call it “the unreal frosting.” And once it hits your lips, you’ll understand why.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Unreal Frosting (Ermine or Cooked Flour Frosting):

  • 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (not powdered sugar!)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Method & Instructions

1. Bake the Cake:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy (3–5 minutes).
  3. Beat in eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated.
  4. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with flour.
  6. Stir in the vanilla.
  7. Divide batter evenly between the pans and bake 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Let cakes cool completely before frosting.

2. Make the Unreal Frosting (Ermine Frosting):

  1. In a saucepan, whisk flour and milk until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick like pudding. Remove from heat and cool completely.
  2. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 5–7 minutes).
  3. Add cooled flour mixture and vanilla, beating until the frosting turns creamy, white, and fluffy—like whipped velvet.
  4. Frost your cooled cake generously.

History of the Cake

Butter cake dates back to the early 1900s, part of the American South’s culinary charm. Often found at church gatherings and family reunions, it’s a celebration cake—rich, simple, unforgettable. The ermine frosting (used before cream cheese and buttercream became trendy) was the original icing for red velvet cakes in the 1800s and early 1900s. It’s making a comeback, thanks to bakers rediscovering its cloud-like texture and magic.

Benefits

  • No powdered sugar in the frosting = no grit, just silk.
  • Stays moist for days, making it great for make-ahead.
  • Family-friendly and easy to customize with fruit, jam, or even cocoa in the frosting.
  • Perfect for celebrations—birthdays, anniversaries, or random Tuesdays that need joy.

Formation (Baking Science Bit)

  • The cake rises due to creamed butter trapping air, supported by the leavening power of baking powder.
  • The frosting uses a roux base—a cooked flour-milk mixture that stabilizes the fat and sugar when whipped together. This avoids separation and creates volume.

Nutrition (per slice, estimated from 12 slices)

  • Calories: 450
  • Fat: 25g
  • Carbs: 52g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Sugar: 34g
    Note: It’s cake—not a salad. But it’s joy in edible form.

Conclusion

This is the cake you talk about. The one people ask for again and again. It’s not just about the flavor—it’s the texture, the mouthfeel, and the nostalgia. And that unreal frosting? It turns this simple cake into an unforgettable experience.

Lovers of This Cake Include:

  • Southern grannies who “don’t share all their secrets.”
  • Brides and grooms who wanted something timeless.
  • Tired moms needing one win for the week.
  • Friends who say “Just one slice” and then sneak back for more.
  • You—because you finally found it.

Would you like a printable or shareable version of this recipe next?

Leave a Comment