Najla's Ghee Cake

I like recipes that meet 3 main requirements: 1) no waiting time for butter to thaw and quick to whip up using oil, 2) doesn't require electric mixer and a hand whisk will do, and 3) would be great if it didn't need fancy ingredients as well. My schoolmate Najla, a self-employed baker in Calicut, who has turned out hundreds of cakes by now, graciously shared with me this easy recipe. Please adjust the baking time as per your pan size.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 328 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• 1 ¼ cups white sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• ¾ cup ghee (clarified butter)
• 3 ½ tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.

Step 2

Pour batter into the prepared pans.

Step 3

Preheat oven to 355 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease two 8-inch cake pans.

Step 4

Beat sugar and 3/4 cup plus 3 1/2 tablespoons ghee together in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Add flour; mix until incorporated.

Step 5

Whisk eggs and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl; add to the flour mixture and mix well. Add milk and baking powder; stir. Mix in lemon juice.