Preheat the oven to 170 deg Fan assisted. Grease and line a 1lb loaf tin with baking parchment or a cake tin liner.
Using an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go along.
Add the eggs, one at a time, adding a little flour in between each one to help prevent curdling. Add the Vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
Add the remaining flour and mix until well combined.
Pour the cake batter into the prepared tin. Bake in the centre of the oven for 35 – 40 mins or until baked, testing the centre of the cake with a skewer until it comes out clean.
Leave in the tin to cool a little before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Buttercream Topping.
Using an electric hand mixer, beat the butter, vanilla extract and icing sugar together until light and fluffy to a thick piping or spreadable consistency.
Add the buttercream into a piping bag fitted with your favourite rosette nozzle. Pipe rosettes over the top of the cake, decorate with a good scattering of colourful sprinkles.
Notes
TIPS AND FAQ’S
Vanilla Extract – I made a batch of Vanilla Extract some time ago, it’s so worth making your own. Here’s how to make Vanilla Extract.
Loaf Tins – I love using 1lb loaf tins for making cakes, they bake beautifully and are so easy to slice in nice square portions.
Colour Sprinkles – Not all Sprinkles are Colour fast. If you are making this loaf cake for a special occasion, bake the cake and prepare the buttercream a few hours earlier. Once you have decorated with the Vanilla Buttercream, add the sprinkles just before serving.
What is a Loaf Cake?As the name implies, a loaf cake is made in a loaf tin or loaf pan. The sizes range between 1lb and 2lb loaf tins.
Can You Freeze Buttercream?Buttercream will Freeze for up to a couple of months. Make sure that you wrap it properly in either baking parchment or a suitable freezer-bag squashing out all the air to help prevent freezer burn. Or store in an airtight container. Remember to label it. Leave to thaw slowly in the fridge overnight before using it again. If needed, re mix back to a spreadable consistency.
What is the difference between a Pound Cake and a Loaf Cake?A pound cake, is made up of the four basic ingredients butter, flour, sugar and eggs. Pound cakes can be baked in most kinds of cake tins ranging from round, square or loaf tins. When baked in a loaf tin, they are often called Loaf Cakes, because of the type of tin it is baked in.
How long will buttercream keep?Buttercream will keep for up to two weeks in the fridge when kept in an airtight container. Because of the butter content, which will harden in the fridge, you will need to bring it back up to room temperature before using it again. If needed you can give it a good mix to help bring it back to a piping/spreadable consistency.