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South African Vanilla Custard Cake Recipe

South African Vanilla Custard Cake Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 22 reviews

A classic South African Vanilla Custard Cake offering a moist, tender crumb infused with creamy custard powder and fragrant vanilla. Perfectly baked to a golden hue, this nostalgic dessert is delicious on its own or topped with a sweet vanilla glaze, making it ideal for tea time or a comforting treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (70g) custard powder
  • 1 cup (200g) white sugar
  • 2 tsp (8g) baking powder
  • Pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup (115g) butter, melted
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240ml) milk
  • 2 tsp (10ml) vanilla essence

Optional Vanilla Glaze

  • 1 cup (120g) icing sugar
  • 1–2 tbsp (15–30ml) milk
  • ½ tsp vanilla essence

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Begin by warming your oven to a gentle 170°C (340°F). Line a loaf tin or small round pan with baking paper, brushing the corners lightly with butter to ensure the cake lifts out easily later.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, custard powder, white sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. The mixture will turn a pale yellow from the custard powder, hinting at the flavour to come.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir the melted butter with the eggs, then pour in the milk and vanilla essence. Mix until smooth and aromatic.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Slowly add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients bowl, stirring gently until a thick, silky batter forms. Be careful not to over-mix to maintain a tender texture.
  5. Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, allowing it to settle evenly. Place in the oven and bake for 40–50 minutes, or until the top is golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for a short while before lifting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. Prepare Vanilla Glaze (Optional): Whisk together icing sugar, milk, and vanilla essence until smooth with a slow ribbon consistency. Drizzle over the warm cake letting it soak slightly.
  8. Serve: Slice soft and fragrant pieces to serve, perfect with tea or enjoyed warm by itself for a comforting South African experience.

Notes

  • Use custard powder to achieve the characteristic pale yellow colour and rich vanilla-custard flavour.
  • Do not over-mix the batter to keep the cake light and tender.
  • The optional vanilla glaze adds extra sweetness and moisture but the cake is delicious without it.
  • Ensure the cake is baked thoroughly by testing with a skewer before removing from oven.
  • Butter and baking paper help to remove the cake cleanly from the pan.

Nutrition

Keywords: South African custard cake, vanilla custard cake, custard powder cake, vanilla cake recipe, traditional South African dessert

Find it online: https://maicook.com/south-african-vanilla-custard-cake-recipe/