Keep it simple with a delicious Naked Cake made at home using simple ingredients. This modern cake has a delicious taste without too much frosting taking away from its incredible flavor and texture.
What’s in Naked Wedding Cake?
If you prefer to keep it light, simple, and delicious, be sure to try this recipe because it won’t disappoint you. You only need 8 common ingredients to make this naked cake at home. In fact, you probably have most of them in your kitchen already!
- Cake Flour: Makes this cake ultra light and fluffy.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake.
- Baking Powder: Gives the cake lift!
- Kosher Salt: Enhances the rich vanilla flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Makes the cake tender and moist. If using salted butter, omit the kosher salt.
- Vanilla Extract: Gives this cake a rich vanilla flavor.
- Egg Whites: Using egg whites only makes this cake lily white, giving a great contrast to the frosting.
- Milk: Moistens the cake.
- Frosting: I love the frosting from my funfetti cake recipe, but you could use store-bought frosting or your favorite recipe!
Pro Tip: For a truer white cake, use clear vanilla.
Chocolate Naked Cake
This cake is delicious topped with vanilla or brown sugar buttercream, but you could also use chocolate buttercream for even more contrast.
For a double chocolate naked cake, follow my favorite death by chocolate cake recipe and use the frosting technique from this recipe!
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The Naked Cake has less frosting than a traditional cake. It is decorated with a thin layer of frosting that doesn’t overpower the cake.
A dirty cake is the type of cake that has a rustic appearance. Many minimalists enjoy this cake style because it’s simple yet tasty.
If your cake is a bit flat, that’s most likely because you didn’t add enough baking powder. Also, be sure to check the expiration date on your baking powder! If it’s expired, it just won’t do the trick.
You will have 8 egg yolks leftover. If you do not want them to go to waste, use them to prepare other recipes, such as Boston Cream Pie Cheesecake, Chocolate Pots de Creme, or Crème Brûlée.
A dry cake can be caused by 2 things. You may have measured the ingredients incorrectly, or you might have overmixed the batter. It’s important to scoop and level your ingredients if you’re not using a scale, and it’s important to have a light hand when mixing the batter.
How to Store
Store leftover naked cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How to Freeze
Freeze naked cake tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this elegant cake topped with sugared berries, cocoa powder, caramel drizzle, or hot fudge sauce. You could also decorate this cake with some amaretto or coconut truffles!
Serve it up with a scoop of cheesecake ice cream for the ultimate pairing!
Vanilla Naked Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cake flour 480 grams, see note
- 2 cups granulated sugar 400 grams
- 1 tablespoon baking powder 12 grams
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams
- 1 cup unsalted butter 226 grams, room temperature (2 sticks)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- 8 large egg whites 280 grams, room temperature
- 1½ cups milk 341 grams, room temperature
- 2 cups vanilla buttercream frosting about 500 grams
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 4 6-inch Round Cake Pan
- Stand Mixer
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350°F. Lightly butter and flour four 6-inch round cake pans. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.4 cups cake flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add in the vanilla and egg whites.1 cup unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 8 large egg whites
- Use the whisk attachment and continue beating the mixture on medium speed for about 30-60 seconds, incorporating a small amount of air into the egg whites. (Don’t overmix until they are peaks, just add enough air for it to begin to slightly foam.)
- Add the flour mixture and milk, continuously mixing on slow to medium speed. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl, to incorporate all of the dry ingredients.1½ cups milk
- Once the batter is smooth and creamy, evenly divide the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25-28 minutes, using a toothpick to check for doneness. Let the cakes cool in their pans for about five minutes and then remove from the pans to let them cool on a rack.
- Before assembling, cut the tops off of each layer to have even and flat layers.
- Wrap and freeze cakes for about 4-6 hours before frosting.( I have found this baker’s trick helps keep the crumble to a minimum when trying to frost a naked cake. Otherwise, the crumbs will get into the frosting and it won’t be as clean.)
- To assemble the cake, add about ½ cup of frosting around the top of the first layer of cake, evenly spread over the top of the cake, allowing a small amount to go over the edges of the cake. Gently add the next cake layer, and gently press it into the bottom layer. Repeat with the next cake until all 4 layers are stacked with a layer of frosting in between each layer.2 cups vanilla buttercream frosting
- Using a flat spatula, gently spread the extra frosting that came out through the edges of the layers, to lightly coat the cake. You can adjust the thickness of the outer coating, depending on your preference and how “naked” you want your cake to look.
- Top the cake with fresh flowers, a cake topper, of fresh fruit dipped in sugar.
Notes
- Cake Flour: If you don’t have cake flour, make your own by sifting together 3½ cups of all-purpose flour and ½ cup of cornstarch.
- I used approximately 2 cups of buttercream frosting to frost this cake.
- For a truer white cake, use clear vanilla.
- Check your cakes with a toothpick before you remove them from the oven to make sure they’re done.
- You can easily adjust the level of “naked” you make your cake by adding more or less frosting.
- Store this cake in an airtight container in the fridge or even in the freezer until you are ready to frost it and serve.
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