Description
Discover the joy of making Delicious Bento Cakes, perfect easy treats that combine a light, fluffy texture with subtle sweetness. These charming cakes are simple to prepare with common pantry ingredients, offering flexibility with dietary substitutions and a delightful presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (Swap with gluten-free flour for gluten-free version)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar (Coconut sugar for refined-sugar-free option)
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder (Ensure freshness for optimal rise)
- 1 tablespoon Beef Gelatin (Pectin or agar-agar for vegetarian alternative)
Wet Ingredients
- 4 large Eggs (Use room temperature for fluffiness)
- 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil (Melted coconut oil or butter enhances flavor)
- 1 cup Milk (Almond milk for a dairy-free alternative)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Apple Juice (Apple cider offers a bolder option)
For Finishing
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar (A light dusting adds sweetness)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking once your batter is prepared.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and baking powder. Whisk them together until evenly blended to create a consistent dry mix.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until frothy to incorporate air, then add the vegetable oil, milk, and fresh apple juice. Mix thoroughly to combine all wet components.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently and just until all ingredients are incorporated to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cake.
- Add Gelatin: Fold in the beef gelatin carefully, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout the batter to help set the texture.
- Prepare for Baking: Pour the batter into a greased baking pan and smooth the surface with a spatula to promote even baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Use a toothpick to test for doneness; it should come out clean when inserted into the center.
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing sogginess.
- Finish: If desired, dust the cooled cake lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant touch and added sweetness before serving.
Notes
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend.
- Use coconut sugar to replace granulated sugar for a refined-sugar-free version.
- Replace beef gelatin with pectin or agar-agar for a vegetarian-friendly cake.
- Almond milk can be used instead of regular milk if dairy-free is preferred.
- Apple cider can substitute fresh apple juice for a more robust flavor.
- Make sure eggs are at room temperature to improve batter fluffiness.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cakes light and tender.
