These mini Vanilla Cream Cakes are a soft, dense and perfectly portioned dessert.
Hello, I’m Jen Farley and I’m a sugar addict. If you’ve been following along with my journey this year you are probably aware of my struggle to find a balance between working full time as a food blogger and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
In January I went on a five day juice detox and then began transitioning to an 80/20 paleo lifestyle. I started writing a column over at Parade Magazine detailing my experience. So how am I doing?Â
Surprisingly well! I bet you didn’t see that coming since I’m sharing a sugary cake recipe today. But I have to share a cake recipe because I’m celebrating.
I’m celebrating the fact that I can prepare these mini vanilla cream cakes, frost them, photograph them and eat only one. That may sound trivial to you, but for me it’s HUGE. I was completely satisfied with one mini cake. I didn’t fall into this old cycle:
- Jen bakes a cake.
- Jen photographs the cake while eating a piece of cake.
- Jen puts the cake away.
- Jen gets more cake 30 minutes later.
- Jen lectures herself for eating the second piece.
- Jen eats more cake.
- Jen feels like a failure.
- More cake.
Does that sound completely ridiculous? Well it is, and it has been my life story for the past two years. I felt completely out of control which was agonizing since I love my job.
By going on a juice detox and then switching to a paleo diet, I feel like I have regained control of my life. I no longer stress about my job and long term health. I’m no longer desperately seeking a solution.
I’ve been slowly bringing some sugar and carbs back into my diet once a week or so. And I’m aware that it’s a slippery slope. But for the first time in ages, I feel like I have a game plan and I know what to do if I fall down.
So I’m celebrating with cake.
Vanilla Cream Cakes
Ingredients
for the cakes
- 8 ounces all-purpose flour (approximately 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 vanilla bean, optional
- 6 ounces unsalted butter, slightly above room temperature
- 5 1/2 ounces granulated sugar (approximately 3/4 cup)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
for the vanilla cream
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 315 degrees F. Grease a large muffin pan.
- Use a small knife to slice the vanilla bean in half and scrape out the seeds.
- Whisk/sift together the flour, baking powder and vanilla seeds. Set aside.
- Place the butter, sugar and vanilla in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and cream on medium high speed until light and fluffy. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the eggs, one at a time, allowing them to fully incorporate into the batter.
- Add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Use a spatula to scrape the bowl all the way down to the bottom to make sure no flour remains.
- Spoon the dough into the prepared muffin pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the muffin pan for several minutes and then cool on a wire rack.
- To prepare the vanilla cream, whisk the cream, sugar and vanilla together by hand or on medium speed in a stand mixer until it reaches a soft peak.
- To serve, slice the cakes in half and spread with half of the vanilla cream. Spread the remaining vanilla cream on top of the cakes and serve.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
Paula – bell’alimento says
These just are the cutest little mini cakes! There is nothing wrong with having an addiction to sugar! ;) Pinning!
Sabrina - A Spoonful of Photography says
Those little cakes look super tempting – lovely photography! And congrats on your journey so far, you’ve got this – stay strong! Have a nice day! :)
Mary Happymommy says
Wow…eat only one? I don’t think I could do that!
Trish F says
These look yummy and I think these could be modified to be more paleo healthy. I’ve had really bad candida and have learned to substitute xylitol and stevia for sugar. You should try it sometimes, baked goods can be healthy sugar free.
Jennifer Farley says
I thought sweeteners weren’t considered paleo? I’d rather stick to healthy paleo food most of the time and then enjoy a real dessert every now and then.
Mary Frances says
These cakes are gorgeous! I completely agree with you – everyone needs a “real” dessert every now and again. I’m so glad you feel god about what you are eating and when, etc. Keep it up!
Hazel says
Congrats! Thanks for the recipe… :)
Heather @ French Press says
these are just stuning
Cavin says
Making these!!!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
Congratulations, and what a nice way to celebrate! Vanilla cream cake sounds delicious.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
CONGRATS! You are doing so great!! And these gorgeous and luscious little cakes are the perfect way to celebrate!
dina says
nothing like a classic cupcake!
michelle says
These look delicious. I love everything vanilla
Angie says
These look delicious! can’t wait to try them
Kendall says
They look so cute and perfect!
Kirsten says
Jen,
I’m good with everything in moderation and rarely want sweets–but when I do, something really delicious like this fits the bill. I love the single serving size. My daughter baked a chocolate chip pie yesterday and the temptation to slice off just a little bit is very strong. So far, I’ve resisted, but after dark . . . especially getting up so early with the time change . . . well, we’ll see. Thanks!