Are you dreaming of a cake that's both incredibly light and intensely flavorful? Look no further! This Whole Foods Chantilly Cake recipe delivers on both fronts, offering a delightful dessert experience that’s surprisingly easy to make. Perfect for special occasions or a simple weeknight treat, this recipe showcases the elegance of simplicity and the magic of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this stunning and delicious homemade cake!
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Chantilly Cream:
- 2 cups heavy cream, very cold
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Making the Cake:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. This ensures your cake layers release easily.
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer. The fluffier the batter, the lighter the cake!
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Vanilla Boost: Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Chantilly Cream:
- Chill: Ensure your heavy cream is very cold. This is crucial for achieving stiff peaks.
- Whip: In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
- Sweeten & Flavor: Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat, or the cream will become grainy.
Assembling the Cake:
- Level (Optional): If your cake layers are uneven, use a serrated knife to level them.
- Frost: Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of Chantilly cream on top.
- Layer & Frost: Top with the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with the remaining Chantilly cream.
- Decorate (Optional): Garnish with fresh berries, chocolate shavings, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Tips for the Best Chantilly Cake:
- Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for optimal creaming.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Chill the Cream: Cold cream is essential for achieving stiff peaks in your Chantilly cream.
Variations:
- Chocolate Chantilly Cake: Add 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the cake batter for a decadent chocolate cake.
- Lemon Chantilly Cake: Add the zest of one lemon to the cake batter and a tablespoon of lemon juice to the Chantilly cream.
- Berry Chantilly Cake: Add fresh berries to the Chantilly cream for a fruity twist.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This information is an estimate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
- Calories: Approximately 400-450
- Fat: Approximately 20-25g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 12-15g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 50-60g
- Sugar: Approximately 30-40g
- Protein: Approximately 5-7g
This Whole Foods Chantilly Cake is a true showstopper, offering a delightful balance of fluffy cake and light, airy Chantilly cream. It’s a recipe that’s both impressive and surprisingly easy to make, perfect for elevating any occasion. Enjoy!