The Ultimate Guide to Making California Pizza Kitchen Butter Cake at Home
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As you walk into any California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), the aroma of the freshly baked pizzas is
undeniably enticing. However, there is another hidden gem that the regulars swear by - the Butter
Cake. If you've had a slice of this decadent dessert, you'll understand why it's a crowd favorite. Rich,
buttery, and perfectly balanced with a slightly tangy cream topping, this cake is a testament to CPK's
mastery beyond pizzas. Today, we're going to unravel the mystery behind this delicious dessert and
provide a step-by-step guide to recreating the California Pizza Kitchen Butter Cake at home.
The Origin of the Butter Cake
The butter cake has its roots in the traditional pound cake, which originated in northern Europe around
the early 1700s. Over the years, various adaptations have been made to the original recipe, leading to
the creation of several delightful variations, including the butter cake.
The CPK butter cake, however, is a unique take on this classic dessert. It combines the richness of a
traditional butter cake with a slightly tangy cream cheese topping, creating a delicious contrast that
tantalizes the taste buds. The cake's exterior is crisp and golden, while the interior remains soft and
moist, providing a delightful textural contrast.
Ingredients for the CPK Butter Cake
The ingredients for this dessert can be divided into three categories. The first is for the cake itself, the
second for the cream cheese topping, and the third for the vanilla ice cream that accompanies the
dessert.
Ingredients for the Cake:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredients for the Cream Cheese Topping:
- 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredients for the Vanilla Ice Cream:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 8 large egg yolks
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Creating the CPK Butter Cake
Making the CPK butter cake involves three stages: preparing the cake batter, preparing the cream
cheese topping, and making the vanilla ice cream. Let's dive into each of these stages.
Preparing the Cake Batter:
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9-inch cake pan.
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In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 5 minutes.
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Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
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In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and egg mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. This ensures that the ingredients are well incorporated without overbeating the batter.
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Stir in the vanilla extract.
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Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Preparing the Cream Cheese Topping:
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In a separate bowl, cream the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth.
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Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
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Spoon this mixture over the top of the cake batter, spreading it out evenly but leaving a small border around the edge.
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Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 45-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cake is set. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.
Making the Vanilla Ice Cream:
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In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and half the sugar over medium heat until it reaches a simmer.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the remaining sugar until well combined.
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Gradually pour the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
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Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
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Strain the mixture into a clean bowl and stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until the mixture is thoroughly chilled at least 2 hours.
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Transfer the chilled mixture to an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once churned, transfer the ice cream to a lidded container and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours.
Serving the CPK Butter Cake
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Once the cake has cooled, remove it from the pan and slice it into serving pieces.
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Serve each slice of cake with a generous scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream.
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For an added touch of decadence, you can also drizzle some caramel sauce over the top of the cake and ice cream before serving.
The California Pizza Kitchen Butter Cake is a dessert that is worth the effort. It's a testament to CPK's
ability to create desserts that are as memorable as their pizzas. So, the next time you're craving
something sweet, give this recipe a try. You'll be pleasantly surprised by how closely it resembles the
original, and you might even impress yourself with your culinary skills. Enjoy!
What is the origin of the California Pizza Kitchen Butter Cake?
The butter cake has its roots in the traditional pound cake, which originated in northern Europe around
the early 1700s. Over the years, various adaptations have been made to the original recipe, leading to
the creation of several delightful variations, including the butter cake. The CPK butter cake is a unique
take on this classic dessert, combining the richness of a traditional butter cake with a slightly tangy
cream cheese topping.
What are the ingredients for the CPK Butter Cake?
The ingredients for the CPK Butter Cake can be divided into three categories: the cake itself, the cream
cheese topping, and the vanilla ice cream. For the cake, you'll need unsalted butter, granulated sugar,
large eggs, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, whole milk, and vanilla extract. The cream cheese
topping requires cream cheese, granulated sugar, a large egg, and vanilla extract. The vanilla ice cream
is made with whole milk, granulated sugar, large egg yolks, heavy cream, and pure vanilla extract.
How do you make the CPK Butter Cake?
Making the CPK Butter Cake involves three stages: preparing the cake batter, preparing the cream
cheese topping, and making the vanilla ice cream. The cake batter is made by creaming together butter
and sugar, then adding eggs, and alternating between adding dry ingredients and milk. The cream
cheese topping is made by creaming together cream cheese and sugar, then adding an egg and vanilla
extract. The vanilla ice cream is made by heating milk and sugar, then gradually adding this to a
mixture of egg yolks and sugar, before adding heavy cream and vanilla extract.
How do you serve the CPK Butter Cake?
Once the cake has cooled, it can be removed from the pan and sliced into serving pieces. Each slice of
cake is served with a generous scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream. For an added touch of
decadence, you can also drizzle some caramel sauce over the top of the cake and ice cream before
serving.
Can I make the CPK Butter Cake in individual portions like they do at the restaurant?
Yes, you can make the CPK Butter Cake in individual portions by using ramekins and dividing the cake
batter and topping among each one. The cooking time may be less, depending on the size of your
ramekins, so be sure to use the toothpick test earlier than 45 minutes.
Can I make substitutions in the recipe?
Yes, you can make substitutions in the recipe. For example, if you're gluten intolerant, you can use
gluten-free flour in place of the all-purpose flour. If you're lactose intolerant, you can use lactose-free
milk in place of whole milk. However, keep in mind that making substitutions may alter the taste and
texture of the final product.
What if I don't have an ice cream maker for the vanilla ice cream?
If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can still make homemade ice cream. After the ice cream
mixture has been chilled in the refrigerator, you can put it in the freezer. Every 30 minutes for the first
few hours, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork or whisk to break up any ice crystals that form. This
will help keep the ice cream creamy as it freezes.
Can I make the CPK Butter Cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the CPK Butter Cake ahead of time. After baking, allow the cake to cool completely,
then cover it and store it in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve the cake, you can warm it up in
the oven or microwave, then top it with a scoop of ice cream.
