I’ve share myWASC cake recipe, which has received rave reviews. It’s an amazing recipe but makes a pretty big cake. What if you wanted to make a 6 inch cake?? I’ve received some emails requesting exactly this, so here is my recipe for a small batch WASC cake.
My regular sized cakes are large enough to feed about 24 people. Those recipes make three,8-inch cake layers or four,7-inch cake layers.
This is all great and dandy if you’re making a cake for a party or a big group of people.
But sometimes you don’t need to make that big of a cake! You might just want to make a cute little six-inch layer cake.
Sometimes you simply don’t need to feed that many people. Or maybe you want to make a smaller cake to create a certain look.
The other thing to consider is that some people don’t have bigger pans. Most people start off with6-inch cake pans, which may be the only size they have on hand. If that’s you, then this recipe is for you!
How Many Cake Layers Does This Recipe Make?
This small batch version of myWASC layer cake recipemakes 3, perfect little 6-inch cake layers.
These cake layers bake up relatively flat, so leveling your cake layers is optional. With that in mind, you should end up with cake layers that are around 1 inch.
What Does Small Batch Mean?
In this case, small batch just means I’ve updated the recipe to make a smaller cake.
Initially I thought I could just cut the recipe in half. You can do this, but the cake layers turn out quite thin.
I wanted each cake layer to be about an inch tall, so I knew I’d have to play around the with ratios.
In the end, it turned out that making 2/3 of a batch is the ideal amount of batter for a 6-inch layer cake.
Tips for Making This Small Batch WASC Cake Recipe:
- Chill your cake layers in the freezer for about 20 minutes before assemblingthe cake to make it easier to stack and frost.
- Properly measure your flour (spoon into the cup measure, then level) oruse akitchen scaleto measure your dry ingredients.
- Use aserrated knifetolevel your cake layersonce they’re fully cooled. This makes it easier to assemble and frost your cake.
- Ido not recommend using this recipe to make cupcakes! Instead, try mywhite almond cupcake recipe. I like the texture better for cupcakes.
- Use myregular WASC cake recipeto make a 7-inch or 8-inch layer cake
Making These WASC Cake Layers in Advance and Storage Tips:
- Make yourcake layers in advance and freeze them. It breaks the process up and makes it more approachable.
- Make yourfrostingahead of time too or save any leftover frosting! It can be stored in an airtight container in thefridge for up to a month, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to give it a good stir once it thaws to get the consistency nice and smooth again., or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- If you cut into the cake and have leftovers,use any remaining frosting to cover the cut section to keep it moistand store in the fridge for up to a week.
Let Me Know What You Think!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this small batch WASC cake recipe! Do you like making smaller cakes like this? Let me know by sharing a rating and comment below.
And don’t forget to tag me @chelsweets and use #chelsweets so that I can see your delicious creations!
Other Recipes You Might Like:
Yield: 16
This WASC cake recipe makes the ultimate white cake and is perfect for any special occasion! It has a hint of almond and makes three, perfect six-inch cake layers!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Additional Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes
Ingredients
WASC Cake
- 2 cups + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour (270g)
- 2 cups granulated sugar (400g)
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder (6g)
- 1/2 tsp fine salt (3g)
- 2/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (150g) - 1 and 1/3 sticks
- 2/3 cup egg whites or about 5 egg whites, room temperature (155g)
- 1 cup sour cream, room temperature (255g)
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil (14g)
- 2 tsp almond extract (8g)
- gel food coloring (if desired)
Almond Buttercream Frosting
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature (339g)
- 5 cups powdered sugar (625g)
- 2 Tbsp heavy cream or whipping cream, room temperature (30g)
- 2 tsp almond extract (8g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (4g)
- 1/2 tsp fine salt (3g)
Instructions
WASC Cake Layers:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line three 6-inch pans with parchment rounds and grease with non-stick baking spray.
- Mix together 2 cups + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt in a large bowl. Use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or hand mixer to mix on a low speed until combined.
- Mix in 2/3 cup (1 & 1/3 stick) unsalted butter slowly into the dry mix, on a medium-low speed. Continue to mix until no large chunks of butter remain, and the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Pour in 2/3 cup or 5 egg whites. If you want to use whole eggs, use 3 large eggs. Mix on low until just incorporated and the batter looks wet.
- Mix in 1 cup of sour cream on a low speed. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula.
- Add in 1 Tbsp of vegetable oil and 2 tsp almond extract. Mix on a medium-low speed for about a minute to make sure everything is mixed together properly.
- If desired, add in gel food coloring and stir by hand with a rubber spatula until the batter is evenly colored.
- Divide batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. I like to use a digital kitchen scale to weigh my pans and ensure they all have the same amount of batter. This guarantees the layers will bake to be the same height.
- Bake for 30-33 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let the pans cool for 10 minutes, then run a small offset spatula around the perimeter of the pan to separate the cake from the pan.
- Place cake layers into the freezer for 30 minutes to accelerate the cooling process. Once the layers are fully cooled, carefully flip the pans and remove the layers.
- Use a serrated knife to level the tops of the layers right before you plan to assemble your cake.
Almond Buttercream Frosting:
- While the cake layers bake and cool, make the almond buttercream frosting.
- Beat 1 1/2 cups of unsalted butter on a medium speed for 30 seconds with a paddle attachment or hand mixer until smooth.
- Gradually mix in 5 cups of powdered sugar on a low speed. Halfway through, add in 2 Tbsp of heavy cream or milk to make it easier to mix.
- Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula.
- Once the frosting is fully mixed and smooth, add in 2 tsp almond extract, 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix on the lowest speed for a couple minutes to help make the frosting silky smooth.
- If the frosting seems too thick, add in additional cream (1 teaspoon at a time). If the frosting is too thin, add in more powdered sugar (quarter of a cup at a time). If you're unsure how thick your frosting should be, you can learn what consistency you're looking for in my frosting consistency post.
- If you plan to color the buttercream, add in the gel food coloring once the frosting is fully made, and beat on low until it reaches the desired color.
Assembling This 6-Inch WASC Cake:
- Stack and frost cake layers on a greaseproof cake board using a dab of frosting to help stick the first cake layer to the board.
- Spread an even layer of almond buttercream between each cake layer with a large offset spatula.
- Spread a thin coat of frosting around the cake to fully cover the cake layers.
- Smooth using a bench scraper, then chill the cake in the fridge (20 minutes) or freezer (10 minutes) until the frosting is firm to the touch.
- Add a second, thicker layer of frosting to the cake, and smooth using a bench scraper. Then decorate as desired!
Notes
Recipe Variations
This recipe can also be used to make a sheet cake! One batch will make one, 9 x 13-inch cake that's about 1-inch tall.
One batch of cake batter makes about 1200 grams. If you plan use three circular cake pans, add 400 grams of batter into each pan.
Tips for Making the Best Small Batch WASC Cake
- Ingredients at room tempmix together better! Set out any cold ingredients ahead of time.
- Properly measure your flour (spoon into the cup measure, then level). Orbetter yet, use akitchen scaleto measure your dry ingredients.
- Use a scale to weigh your cake pans as you fill them. It will make your cake layers bake to the same height and bake more evenly.
- Bang your cake pans on the counter before putting it in the oven. This brings any big air bubbles that are trapped in the batter to the surface.
- Level your room temperature or thawed cake layers with a serrated knife to make them easier to stack.
- Chill your cake layers in the freezer for about 20 minutes before assemblingthe cake. It makes it so much easier to stack and frost them!
Making This 6-Inch WASC Layer Cake in Advance & Storage Tips
Make your cake layers in advance and freeze them. It breaks the process up and makes it more approachable.
Make your frosting ahead of time too or save any leftover frosting! It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to give it a good stir once it thaws to get the consistency nice and smooth again.
A frosted cake can last in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month. The buttercream locks in all the moisture, keeping the cake fresh and delicious!
If you cut into the cake and have leftovers, use any remaining frosting to cover the cut section to keep it moist and store in the fridge for up to a week.
Nutrition Information
Yield
16Serving Size
1
Amount Per ServingCalories 518Total Fat 30gSaturated Fat 18gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 79mgSodium 235mgCarbohydrates 61gFiber 0gSugar 59gProtein 3g
