The Ultimate White Almond Cake

This White Almond Cake is deliciously moist, perfectly balanced with almond flavor, and always a crowd favorite. Paired with American Buttercream, this easy almond cake recipe will become your new go-to for any occasion! If you’re new to baking, don’t worry! You can absolutely make this doctored cake recipe. With simple steps and fail-proof instructions, you’ll have this deliciousness baked in no time!

WHAT IS A WASC CAKE?

Have you heard of a WASC cake? WASC stands for White Almond Sour Cream and it’s a super popular cake flavor, especially for weddings and wedding events. There’s just something about that nutty almond flavor that screams elegance! The tangy sour cream really elevates the taste and keeps the cake layers nice and tender as well. In this recipe, we will be using a few different ingredients to keep the cake at peak moistness, but stable enough to stack for tiered cakes. I’ve added my own twist on this widely-known recipe, and I hope you love it as much as I do!

INGREDIENTS FOR THIS WHITE ALMOND CAKE RECIPE: 

• Electric Hand Mixer (affiliate)
• (3) 8 inch Round Cake Pans or (4) 6 inch Round Pans
• Non-Stick Baking Spray
• White Cake Mix (I prefer Duncan Hines)
• All-Purpose Flour
• Granulated Sugar
• Unsalted Butter
• Sour Cream
• Vegetable Oil
• Milk
• Almond Extract
• Eggs
• Salt
• Measuring Cups (or)
• Food Scale (Optional, but highly recommended!)

TIPS FOR PERFECT CAKE LAYERS:

This White Almond Cake recipe is super simple to follow, and nearly fail-proof in my opinion. But these baking tips will help you achieve the perfect cake layers, every time!

BEFORE BAKING: 

1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Let your eggs, milk, and sour cream come to room temperature before mixing. This helps the ingredients combine more evenly, resulting in a smoother batter and a finer crumb. If I forget to let these ingredients sit out, I place the whole eggs in warm water for 5-10 minutes. You can also add the milk and sour cream to a separate, microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. This does the trick!
2. Precise Measuring: Use a food scale for accuracy, especially when measuring flour. Too much flour can make your cake dry and dense. Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife for the most accurate measurement.
3. Pan Preparation: Prep your pans with a baking spray, or homemade pan release. My absolute favorite is Wilton Bake Easy Spray. I have never had a cake stick when using this spray! You can also use parchment paper rounds at the bottom of the pans for extra insurance.

MIXING INGREDIENTS & BAKING:

1. Mixing Technique: “Don’t over-mix the batter!” This is a common phrase in the baking world. Believe it or not, with recipes using a box cake mix, this isn’t the case! When you beat air into a cake mix recipe, something special happens. With that being said, don’t be afraid to use your hand mixer on a medium-high setting until your batter is smooth and all ingredients are fully incorporated.
2. Don’t Overbake: Overbaking can lead to a dry and crumbly texture. Use a toothpick or knife and insert into the center of the cake – if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s good to go. You can also gently press your finger into the top of the cake, if it springs back slowly, it’s done!

AFTER BAKING:

1. Cooling: Let your cake cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. This allows the cake to set and prevents tearing when being moved.
2. Storage: Be sure to store properly to lock in that moisture! I recommend double wrapping the cake layers in plastic wrap, and storing in the freezer until you are ready to apply the buttercream.

REASONS TO LOVE DOCTORED CAKE MIXES

1. Easy Upgrades: Adding a few simple ingredients such as melted butter, almond extract, and sour cream, can create a homemade taste with the best texture!
2. Flexibility: You can customize a doctored cake mix recipe however you’d like! Add-ins like chocolate chips, pudding mixes, or flavored extracts can completely transform a basic box mix. I’m telling you, people won’t believe it started with a cake mix!
3. Consistency: Box cake mixes provide an extremely reliable base, no messing with baking powder or baking soda, and the end result is super consistent. 
4. Time-Saving: It can be so discouraging spending time and ingredients on a cake that doesn’t turn out right. I’ve been there! Doctored cake mix recipes are absolutely delicious, without spending hours in the kitchen.

Well, there you have it – the perfect white almond cake recipe! A fail-proof, easy, and delicious almond cake that will have your family and friends dying for the recipe. Whether it’s for a special occasion, or simply because you’re in the mood for a good piece of cake, this recipe delivers every time!

Continue below for the easy-to-follow recipe, dig in, and enjoy every bite!

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