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Triple Layer Mini Vanilla Cake with Berries

A sweet little vanilla cake with cream cheese frosting and berries!

Course Dessert
Keyword #layer cake, berries, gluten free, vanilla cake
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

The Cake:

  • 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, or see my recommendation for gluten free flour above
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup soft butter room temp (1 stick)
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil (or baking oil of your choice)
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs, room temp
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
  • 2/3 cup cultured buttermilk
  • 1 7" skewer to hold the cake in place (you may or may not need it)

The Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) room temp butter
  • 4 oz cream cheese, room temp
  • 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
  • raspberry jam if you want another layer of color and sweetness between cakes!
  • an assortment of berries for topping

Instructions

Pan prep:

  1. Preheat oven to 350, place oven rack in center position. To prevent the cake from sticking you can use non stick pans, then use a paper towel to wipe sides and bottom of pans with soft butter. Dust each pan lightly with flour. OR fold a large piece of parchment paper in half twice. Use bottom of cake pan and pencil to trace a circle on parchment, then cut folded paper so you end up with three circles. Place parchment circles into the bottom of pans and spray with organic non stick spray. This is my favorite method. Set aside

Cake Prep:

  1. Place flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl, whisk and set aside

  2. Using a mixer, beat together butter, sugar, and coconut oil (or baking oil of your choice)

  3. Add vanilla paste or extract, eggs (one at a time) mixing until incorporated

  4. Add buttermilk and flour alternately and mix until smooth

  5. Pour batter as evenly as you can into the three prepared pans

  6. Tap pans on counter to take out any bubbles

  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean

  8. Allow to cool then remove cakes from pans before frosting

Frosting Prep:

  1. Place butter, cream cheese, vanilla paste or extract into a bowl and mix on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add powdered sugar and mix until well incorporated. Add buttermilk if needed.

  2. To get the "semi naked"  look, I frost the first layer lightly, adding a little more frosting around the edges of cake. Then I place the second cake layer and repeat. Last I place the top layer on, and push a skewer right through the center to keep the cake stable (cut skewer to size if needed), frost the top layer somewhat generously and use what is left to lightly frost the sides, scraping off extra frosting.

  3. If you want raspberry jam between each layer just spread on top of frosting before adding another layer of cake

  4. Top with berries, serve!