Snickerdoodle Cake

 

Snickerdoodle Cake

For the Cake:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 sticks butter, softened to room temperature
1 3/4 cups fine or superfine sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups whole milk, warmed to room temperature 
Preheat oven to 325°F.  Butter and flour two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans.  In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.  Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy and pale in color.  Beat the eggs in one at a time, fully incorporating each egg and scraping down the bowl between each addition.  Add about 1/3 of the milk, beat to incorporate, then 1/3 of the flour, again beating to incorporate.  Repeat this process, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until all of the milk and flour are added and mixed in evenly.
Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and bake, rotating midway through, for about 30-35 minutes or until the cake tests done.
For the Buttercream:
4 1/2 sticks butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
8-9 cups confectioner's (powdered) sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup of half and half, plus more if needed
Optional:
Whole cinnamon sticks for garnish
Beat together the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until fluffy and pale in color.  Add 6 cups of the confectioner's sugar and the vanilla extract and beat, starting on low and moving up to high, until it is fully incorporated.  Scrape down the bowl and add the half and half. Beat to incorporate again.  Add another 2 cups of the confectioner's sugar and beat, starting on low and moving up to high, until fully incorporated. Check the consistency of the buttercream. If it needs to be thicker, add the remaining confectioner's sugar. If it is too thick, add more half and half a teaspoon at a time, beating after each addition, until it reaches the consistency you like.

To Assemble and Frost the Cake:
Level out your cooled cakes and cut each into two even layers.  Place one layer on a cake plate then add a layer of buttercream, spreading to the edges and evening out as you go. Repeat with the remaining layers.  Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining buttercream.  If desired, garnish the top of the cake with whole cinnamon sticks.  Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before slicing.  Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator. 
**I am a lover of the snickerdoodle, and when I saw this cake, I had to give it a shot.  Everyone liked it, but I have to say (because of my snickerdoodle love) it is quite honestly one of the yummiest cakes I've ever made. Ever.
**Recipe from foodiewithfamily.com