These soft, buttery mini cakes with a gooey strawberry center are incredibly easy to make—even if you’re a beginner. Perfect for tea time, kids, or even selling on your website 💛
🧁 Ingredients
- 1 cup (225g) butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) sugar
- 3 eggs (room temperature)
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (60ml) milk
- Strawberry jam (for filling)
🍰 Step-by-Step Instructions (Detailed)
1. Preheat & Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Grease your mini loaf pan or muffin tray lightly with butter or oil.
👉 This prevents sticking and gives a clean finish.
2. Cream Butter & Sugar (Very Important Step)
- In a large bowl, beat butter + sugar together.
- Mix for about 3–5 minutes until it becomes light, fluffy, and pale.
👉 This step adds air, making your cakes soft and fluffy.
3. Add Eggs One by One
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
👉 Don’t rush this—proper mixing prevents the batter from curdling.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
- In another bowl, combine:
- Flour
- Baking powder
👉 Mixing separately ensures even rising.
5. Combine Everything Smoothly
- Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
- Add milk and vanilla extract.
- Mix gently until smooth.
👉 Do NOT overmix—this can make cakes dense instead of soft.
6. Fill the Molds (Layering Trick!)
- Fill each mold halfway with batter.
- Add 1 teaspoon strawberry jam in the center.
- Cover with a little more batter.
👉 Don’t overfill—leave some space for rising.
7. Bake to Perfection
- Bake for 18–25 minutes.
- Check using a toothpick (edges should be done, center slightly soft).
👉 Slight softness in the center = perfect “runny” effect.
8. Cool & Serve
- Let cakes cool for 10 minutes before removing.
- Serve warm for that gooey strawberry center 😍
💡 Pro Tips (Small Details That Matter)
- Use room temperature ingredients for best texture
- Don’t skip creaming butter—it’s key for softness
- Slightly underbake for a runny center
- Use thick jam, not watery
❓ FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
🔸 Why is my cake not soft?
You may have overmixed the batter or not creamed the butter properly.
🔸 Why didn’t I get a runny center?
- You may have baked too long
- Or used too little jam
👉 Try adding a bit more jam and reducing bake time slightly.
🔸 Can I use other fillings?
Yes! You can use:
- Chocolate spread
- Blueberry jam
- Caramel
🔸 Can I make this without an oven?
Yes, you can bake it in a covered pan on low heat or use a steamer—but texture may vary.
🔸 How to store these cakes?
- Room temp: 2 days (airtight container)
- Fridge: up to 5 days
- Freezer: up to 1 month
🔸 Can I reheat them?
Yes! Microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back the gooey center.
