CPK Butter Cake is a rich, moist dessert from California Pizza Kitchen known for its buttery flavor and dense, cake-like texture. It’s often served with a sweet topping or a drizzle of sauce.
What Is CPK Butter Cake Recipe
The full form of CPK is California Pizza Kitchen’s. CPK butter cake recipe is a must-try dessert, renowned for its warmth and rich flavor. Recreating this delectable treat at home is a rewarding experience. CPK copycat butter cake is a warmly sweet and moist delight, some argue it surpasses the original in flavor. This rich, moist, and utterly satisfying dessert is a symphony of flavors, reminiscent of a sugar cookie and a pound cake’s love child.
Now, you can make it at home. This recipe isn’t an exact copy, but this recipe comes remarkably close to CPK’s masterpiece. Many consider it the best cpk butter cake recipe.
“CPK Butter Cake is special dessert because it has two delicious layers. One is a dense and tender butter cake base, that’s very delicious and second is decadent cream cheese layer.”
Condensed milk elevates the flavor, a unique touch that sets this recipe apart. California Pizza Kitchen serves these cakes individually, so you use the little pans. You can find the affordable sets of cooking pan on Amazon. Change the cooking time when using smaller pans. If you’re using 5-inch or 8-inch pans, manage the cooking time for the best results. This helps make sure your butter cake turns out just right, matching CPK’s well-balanced portions.
Origin of Butter Cake
Butter cake is a traditional dessert that originated in Europe, particularly in Germany, and later became popular in the 1930s in St. Louis, Missouri. The German version, called “Butterkuchen,” is a yeast-based cake topped with a mixture of butter and sugar, sometimes finished with sliced almonds. It’s a simple yet rich dessert that has been popular in German bakeries and homes for centuries.
When German immigrants came to the United States, especially to the Midwest in states like Missouri, they brought this cpk butter cake recipe with them. Over time, it evolved into the American-style butter cake we know today, which is typically made without yeast and uses a more straightforward method of creaming butter and sugar together to create a lighter, fluffier texture. The St. Louis variant, known as Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, became particularly famous for its dense, moist texture and extra sweetness.
Butter cake has evolved into various forms around the world, but its roots trace back to Europe, where simple, butter-rich cakes have long been a staple in home baking.
CPK Butter Cake Recipe Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 2 to 2 1/2 sticks of softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 3 eggs (or 2 large eggs)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or 1 teaspoon almond extract + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
- 1/4 cup condensed milk (optional)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Cream Cheese Layer (Optional Topping)
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Equipment Needed
- 2 medium mixing bowls
- 1 small bowl for scrambling and dividing the egg for the topping
- Hand mixer
- 9×13 Inch baking pan
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Whisk
- Spatula
Ensure you have these basic kitchen tools on hand before you making the CPK Butter Cake recipe for a smooth baking experience.
How to Make CPK Butter Cake Recipe
Preparing for Baking
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (200°C).
- Butter the bottom of the cake pan(s) and coat with sugar for a caramelized layer.
- Place a sheet of parchment paper at the bottom of the pan.
Making the Butter Cake Batter
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, sugar, and flour until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla extract (and almond extract if using).
- Mix in buttermilk and condensed milk (if using).
- Gently fold in baking powder.
Baking the Butter Cake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s), filling no more than 3/4 full.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and the cake is golden brown.
- Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack for 6 minutes.
Making the Cream Cheese Layer (Optional)
- In a small bowl, whip together cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Adding the Cream Cheese Layer
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the partially cooled butter cake batter, spreading it evenly.
- Continue baking for an additional 10-20 minutes until the toothpick comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the butter cake warm, optionally with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Berry compote or peaches
- Guava marmalade
- Caramelized sugar with a kitchen torch (if using the cheesecake-like topping)
Enjoy your delicious CPK Butter Cake Recipe!
How to Store Your Cake
- Room Temperature: Keep the cake fresh for three days by placing it in an airtight container on the counter.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the entire cake first. Then, wrap individual pieces in plastic, add foil, and store them in a zip-lock bag. Enjoy frozen cake for up to 2 months or more.
CPK Butter Cake Recipe Calories And Detail
- Calories: 572kcal
- Author: Katarina Frank
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 1hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 min
- Servings: 10
Why Homemade?
While CPK restaurants offer this delightful treat, there’s something special about crafting it at home. You control the ingredients, portions, and savor the joy of creating a beloved dessert from scratch. Plus, the aroma wafting through your kitchen as it bakes is an added bonus.
Check out these Extra Dishes We Have on the Menu
- Italian Hangover Cake Recipe
- Cake Boss Cannoli Cream Recipe
- Mastro’s Butter Cake Recipe
- Lloyds Carrot Cake Recipe
Some Tips for Best CPK Butter Cake Copycat Recipe
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are softened for a smooth batter.
- Fold ingredients gently to maintain the cake’s dense and tender texture.
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated for even baking.
- Insert a toothpick, it should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- Enjoy the butter cake fresh from the oven for the best taste and texture.
Recipe FAQs
What’s the best way to reheat California Pizza Kitchen Butter Cake?
For the best results, reheat slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or warm it in the oven at a low temperature until heated through.
Where can I find the official CPK Butter Cake recipe?
The official recipe may be available on the California Pizza Kitchen website or in their cookbooks. Many food blogs also offer similar versions inspired by the restaurant’s dessert.
Can I customize the CPK Butter Cake recipe from scratch?
Absolutely! You can add flavors like lemon zest, chocolate chips, or nuts to the batter. You can also experiment with different toppings to suit your taste.
I hope you enjoy this CPK butter cake recipe. It’s buttery, easy to make, with simple ingredients, and bakes quickly. Topped with a moist, fluffy crumb, it has a crisp golden-brown crust and gooey center. While I usually go for healthier recipes, treating my family to sweet desserts, like this one, is a joy. For more delightful recipes, check out “A Crispy Cookies” on my website.
Spread the Joy!
If you love this CPK butter cake recipe, give it 5 stars and share it with your loved ones. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Feel free to share your family recipe stories in the comments.
CPK Butter Cake Recipe Making With Easy Step (Copycat)
Equipment
- 2medium mixing bowls
- 1 small bowl for scrambling anddividing the egg for the topping
- Hand mixer
- 9x13 Inch baking pan
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Whisk
- Spatula
Ingredients
- Cake Batter:
- 2 to 2 ½ sticks of softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
- 3 eggs or 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon almond extract + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup buttermilk or regular milk
- ¼ cup condensed milk optional
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Cream Cheese Layer Optional Topping:
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preparing for Baking:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (200°C).
- Butter the bottom of the cake pan(s) and coat with sugar for a caramelized layer.
- Place a sheet of parchment paper at the bottom of the pan.
- Making the Butter Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, sugar, and flour until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla extract (and almond extract if using).
- Mix in buttermilk and condensed milk (if using).
- Gently fold in baking powder.
- Baking the Butter Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s), filling no more than 3/4 full.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and the cake is golden brown.
- Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack for 6 minutes.
- Making the Cream Cheese Layer (Optional):
- In a small bowl, whip together cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Adding the Cream Cheese Layer:
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the partially cooled butter cake batter, spreading it evenly.
- Continue baking for an additional 10-20 minutes until the toothpick comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
- Serving Suggestions:
- Serve the butter cake warm, optionally with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Berry compote or peaches
- Guava marmalade
- Caramelized sugar with a kitchen torch (if using the cheesecake-like topping)
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