Making a Vanilla Cake without an oven is easy and fun, and you can achieve a moist, fluffy cake using a stovetop or microwave. Here’s a simple recipe that uses a stovetop method to make a delicious vanilla cake without the need for an oven.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (or vegetable oil)
- 1/2 cup milk (you can also use buttermilk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
For the Frosting (optional):
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cake Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the melted butter (or oil), milk, vanilla extract, and egg. Mix until smooth and well combined. The batter should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick, you can add a tablespoon more milk.
2. Prepare the Cooking Pan:
- Grease a small cake pan (about 6-inch or 7-inch) with butter or oil, or line it with parchment paper. If you don’t have a cake pan, you can also use a round or square baking dish.
3. Cook on the Stovetop:
- Heat a heavy-bottomed non-stick skillet or pan over low to medium heat. Once it’s warm, place a trivet, a metal rack, or a small heatproof bowl in the pan to elevate the cake pan above the direct heat.
- Pour the cake batter into your prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly.
- Place the cake pan carefully on top of the trivet or metal rack inside the skillet or pan. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. This will create a mini “oven” effect.
- Cook on low to medium heat for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the batter and the heat. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick or skewer into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If not, continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes, checking every few minutes.
4. Let the Cake Cool:
- Once the cake is done, remove it from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before frosting.
5. Prepare the Frosting (optional):
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
- Add the vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Frost the cake once it’s completely cooled.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
- Once frosted, slice and serve your homemade Vanilla Cake without an oven!
Tips:
- To add some extra flavor, you can mix in a teaspoon of lemon zest or almond extract into the cake batter.
- If you prefer to make a layered cake, you can cut the cooked cake in half horizontally after it cools to add frosting or fruit jam between layers.
- For a microwave version, use microwave-safe mugs or bowls and microwave for 1-2 minutes on high, depending on the size of the container.
Enjoy:
This Vanilla Cake without an oven is soft, fluffy, and simple to make. It’s the perfect dessert for when you don’t have access to an oven or when you just want to skip the hassle. Enjoy it plain, with frosting, or topped with fresh fruit!