6-Ingredient Old-Fashioned Sugar Cake

Introduction

This old-fashioned sugar cake feels like it was lifted straight from a handwritten index card tucked inside a kitchen drawer. Simple, cozy, and timeless, it delivers the comforting flavor of a dessert your grandmother might have baked on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

Tender and buttery with a crackly sugar crust, this cake needs no frosting or fancy tools. Inspired by classic Midwestern church-basement desserts, it’s humble, dependable, and always the first treat to disappear at potlucks. Whether you’re baking for busy weeknights, surprise guests, or a sweet moment with coffee, this sugar cake is comfort in its purest form.

Ingredients (6 Ingredients)

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick / 113 g)

• 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g), plus 2 tablespoons for topping

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour (180 g)

• 1½ teaspoons baking powder

Optional (for extra flavor):

• Pinch of salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
   In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt if using. Set aside.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar
   In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.

4. Add the Eggs
   Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the vanilla extract if using.

5. Combine the Batter
   Add the dry ingredients in two additions, alternating with the milk. Mix gently just until combined—do not overmix.

6. Bake
   Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar over the top to create a crackly crust. Bake for 25–32 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

7. Cool and Serve
   Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes. Slice into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

Conclusion

This 6-Ingredient Old-Fashioned Sugar Cake proves that simple ingredients can create something truly special. Buttery, tender, and topped with a crisp sugar crust, it’s the kind of dessert that feels familiar from the very first bite. Enjoy it on its own, or dress it up with whipped cream, fresh berries, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. However you serve it, this classic cake is sure to bring comfort, nostalgia, and smiles to every table.