Get ready to become the ultimate dessert hero with this jaw-dropping Special Occasion Eight Layer Cake that's guaranteed to make jaws drop and taste buds dance! This isn't just a cake - it's a culinary masterpiece that transforms an ordinary celebration into an extraordinary memory. With eight perfect layers of tender, moist cake and luxurious frosting, this showstopper will have your guests wondering if you've secretly trained in a professional pastry kitchen. Whether you're celebrating a milestone birthday, anniversary, or simply want to create a dessert that becomes the centerpiece of any gathering, this recipe is your ticket to baking legendary status!
Prep Time: 1 hrs
Cook Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 3 hrs
Cuisine: American
Serves: 16 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Frosting (for layering and decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare eight 9-inch round cake pans by greasing them thoroughly and lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate large stand mixer bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 4-5 minutes on medium-high speed.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Alternately add the dry flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined.
- Stir in the vanilla extract, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Divide the batter equally among the eight prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula to ensure even layers.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cakes are golden brown.
- Remove cakes from the oven and let cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- Once completely cooled, trim the cake layers if needed to ensure they are flat and even.
- Prepare your chosen frosting and begin layering the cake by placing the first layer on a large cake stand or serving plate.
- Spread a thin layer of frosting between each cake layer, carefully stacking them to create the eight-layer effect.
- Apply a crumb coat of frosting around the entire cake, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.
- Finish decorating the cake with a final, smooth layer of frosting and any additional decorative elements as desired.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the layers and frosting to set completely.
- Slice and serve at room temperature, storing any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Tips
- Temperature Matters: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more consistent batter.
- Precision is Key: Use a kitchen scale for measuring ingredients to guarantee perfect cake layers every time.
- Even Baking Hack: Invest in cake strips or wrap your cake pans with damp towel strips to ensure flat, evenly baked layers.
- Cooling Technique: Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
- Crumb Coat Magic: The initial thin frosting layer seals in crumbs and creates a perfect base for your final decoration.
- Chill Between Steps: Refrigerating the cake between frosting layers helps stabilize and set your masterpiece.
- Slice Tip: Use a hot, clean knife wiped between cuts for perfect, clean cake slices.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
