My cake didn’t quite turn out how I planned. I followed a new recipe from Cake Blog but my cake did not look fluffy like the cake in the picture. Somehow it was dense, a little chewy and a little rubbery. I am writing to Carrie to find out what she think might have happened. I followed the recipe exactly, so I think she will probably be able to tell me where I went wrong. I’m very bummed because I wanted this cake to be spectacular, since all my family attended and tried the cake I don’t know if I should try the recipe again and see if I can get it right or stick to my usual white cake recipe here.
- 5 large egg whites
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons, room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 vanilla bean or 2 TB of vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Combine egg whites, sugar, and salt in the heatproof bowl of a standing mixer set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk constantly by hand until mixture is warm to the touch and sugar has dissolved (the mixture should feel completely smooth when rubbed between your fingertips).
- Attach the bowl to the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Starting on low and gradually increasing to medium-high speed, whisk until stiff (but not dry) peaks form. Continue mixing until the mixture is fluffy and glossy, and completely cool (test by touching the bottom of the bowl), about 10 minutes.
- With mixer on medium-low speed, add the butter a few tablespoons at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once all butter has been added, whisk in vanilla and scrape the vanilla from the pod into the mixture. Switch to the paddle attachment, and continue beating on low speed until all air bubbles are eliminated, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl with a flexible spatula, and continue beating until the frosting is completely smooth. Keep buttercream at room temperature if using the same day.