LounjeLounjePlan my week

Nigerian Vanilla Cake with Buttercream

The Nigerian Vanilla Birthday Cake is the most important cake in Nigerian food culture — the centrepiece of every birthday celebration from a child's first birthday to an octogenarian's milestone. Nigerian birthday cakes are characteristically more moist and richer than Western equivalent due to the use of evaporated milk and a higher butter content, and they are decorated with Nigerian exuberance — generous swirls of brightly coloured buttercream, sprinkles, edible glitter,

Nigerian Vanilla Cake with Buttercream, Nigerian cooking

Ingredients

  • 4 big cups of plain flour
  • 2 and a half big cups of white sugar
  • A big stick of butter plus a cooking spoon extra, softened
  • 4 big eggs
  • 1 big tin of evaporated milk
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • Half a teaspoon of baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
  • A pinch of salt FOR THE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:
  • 2 big sticks of butter, softened
  • 5 big cups of icing sugar, sifted
  • 3 big big tablespoons of evaporated milk or fresh milk
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
  • Food colouring — any colour desired

Method

  1. 01

    Making the Vanilla Sponge. Beat softened butter and sugar together vigorously until very pale and fluffy — at least 5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Add vanilla and nutmeg. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Alternately fold in the flour mixture and evaporated milk in 3 additions, beginning and ending with flour. Divide batter equally between 2 or 3 greased and floured round cake tins. Bake at a moderate heat for 30 to 35 minutes until golden and a skewer comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

  2. 02

    Making the Buttercream. Beat softened butter until very pale and fluffy — 3 to 4 minutes. Add sifted icing sugar gradually, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and evaporated milk. Beat until smooth, light and spreadable. Divide and colour portions with food colouring as desired.

  3. 03

    Assembling and Frosting. Level the cooled cake layers if needed. Place the first layer on a serving board. Spread a generous layer of buttercream. Add the second layer. Repeat if using 3 layers. Cover the entire outside of the cake with a crumb coat — a thin layer of buttercream. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Apply the final decorative layer of buttercream with swirls, rosettes and Nigerian birthday exuberance.

  4. 04

    Decorating. Add sprinkles, edible glitter, fresh flowers or any desired decorations. Write the birthday message with a contrasting colour of buttercream.

More desserts & sweet treats