Desserts, Cake, High Elevation Brenda Drake + Chelsea Kasen Desserts, Cake, High Elevation Brenda Drake + Chelsea Kasen

Best Sour Cream Cake for High Elevations

This recipe makes a great basic white cake with a tender crumb, particularly perfect because it can be put together in mere minutes. This recipe was written for an elevation of ~6k above sea level.

This recipe was written for an elevation of ~6k above sea level.

This Brenda recipe was inspired by a Williams Sonoma recipe.

Baking at sea level? Use Brenda’s Best Sour Cream Cake recipe.

Remember, when baking cakes or cake-like goods, reference Brenda’s Elevation infographic.


Best Sour Cream Cake at High Altitude

In the bowl of a stand mixer, sift together:

2 5/8 cup flour

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

Set to low speed until combined. 

In a small bowl, combine:

3/4 cup oil

1 cup sour cream

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 Tbsp vanilla

Stir well and then pour into flour mixture.

Turn mixer to low speed until ingredients are combined. Stop mixer and scrape bowl sides. Mix on medium speed for 30 seconds. 

Divide between 

  • 24 cupcakes, bake at 360F for 20-22 minutes

  • OR

  • Two 9" rounds, bake at 360F for 25-28 minutes


Brenda’s tips:


Window to B’s kitchen…

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Cake, Desserts Brenda Drake + Chelsea Kasen Cake, Desserts Brenda Drake + Chelsea Kasen

Best Sour Cream Cake

This recipe makes a great basic white cake with a tender crumb, particularly perfect because it can be put together in mere minutes. 

Brenda’s a huge fan of baking cakes. It’s no surprise that everyone who’s eaten a Brenda cake is a huge fan of Brenda Cakes. While she loved baking them, she was NOT a fan of decorating them. April 30, 2013 was a pivotal day in the Brenda/Chelsea Friendship Story…read more

This Brenda recipe was inspired by a Williams Sonoma recipe.

Baking at a high altitude? Brenda’s written a Best Sour Cream Cake for High Altitude.

Remember, when baking cakes or cake-like goods, reference Brenda’s High Elevation Adjustments infographic.


Best Sour Cream Cake

In the bowl of a stand mixer, sift together:

2 1/4 cup flour

1 3/4 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

Set to low speed until combined. 

In a small bowl, combine:

3/4 cup oil

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup milk

1 Tbsp vanilla

Stir well and then pour into flour mixture.

Turn mixer to low speed until ingredients are combined. Stop mixer and scrape bowl sides. Mix on medium speed for 30 seconds. 

Divide between 

  • 24 cupcakes, bake at 350F for 23-25 minutes

  • OR

  • Two 9" rounds, bake at 350F for 28-30 minutes


Brenda’s tips:


Window to B’s kitchen…

Read More
Desserts, Fan Favorite, Cake Brenda Drake + Chelsea Kasen Desserts, Fan Favorite, Cake Brenda Drake + Chelsea Kasen

Cream Cheese Frosting

For the smoothest, fluffiest frosting, allow the cream cheese and butter to naturally reach room temperature.

BOOKMARK THIS. You’ll thank me later. This fluffy, creamy goodness is what Brenda uses on a few of her Fan Favorite recipes:


Cream Cheese Frosting

Add to bowl or stand mixer:

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 

1 cube (4 oz) butter, softened 

Mix until combined, then add:

1 tsp vanilla 

1 lb powdered sugar

Stir until fully incorporated. Scrape bowl sides. Whip until fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Use immediately.


Brenda’s Tips:

Serving Size: one batch will frost: 

  • one 3 tier cake 

  • 24-36 cupcakes

  • 12-24 cinnamon rolls 

  • 3-4 dozen cookies

If possible, Brenda allows cream cheese and butter to naturally reach room temperature for the very smoothest, fluffiest frosting.

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