Hello, Good News! Welcome to our blog, where we share with you the best recipes for your sweet tooth. Today, we are going to show you how to make the famous Treebeards butter cake recipe at home. This is a delicious dessert that originated from the Treebeards restaurant in Houston, Texas. It is a moist and buttery cake with a crunchy sugar crust on top. It is perfect for any occasion, whether it is a birthday, a holiday, or just a treat for yourself.
If you have never tried Treebeards butter cake before, you are missing out on one of the most decadent desserts ever. It is rich, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth good. You can serve it plain or with whipped cream, ice cream, or fresh berries. No matter how you eat it, you will love it. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Treebeards butter cake recipe, including the ingredients, the steps, the tips, and the FAQs. So, let’s get started!
What is Treebeards Butter Cake?
Treebeards butter cake is a type of cake that is made with lots of butter, eggs, sugar, and flour. It has a dense and moist texture that resembles a pound cake or a sponge cake. The cake is baked in a rectangular pan and then cut into squares or bars. The top of the cake is sprinkled with more sugar before baking, which creates a crispy and caramelized crust that contrasts with the soft and tender cake.
The origin of Treebeards butter cake is not very clear, but it is believed that it was created by the Treebeards restaurant in Houston, Texas. Treebeards is a popular eatery that serves Southern-style food, such as gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and cornbread. The restaurant was founded in 1978 by Dan Tidwell and Jamie Mize. They named it after the character from The Lord of the Rings, who was a wise and ancient tree-like being. The restaurant soon became famous for its delicious food and its signature dessert: the butter cake.
Why is Treebeards Butter Cake So Good?
Treebeards butter cake is so good because it has a simple but irresistible flavor and texture. The main ingredient of the cake is butter, which gives it a rich and buttery taste that goes well with any topping or accompaniment. The cake also has a generous amount of eggs, which makes it moist and fluffy. The sugar on top adds a crunchy and sweet layer that balances the softness of the cake.
Another reason why Treebeards butter cake is so good is because it is easy to make at home. You don’t need any fancy equipment or ingredients to make this cake. All you need are some basic pantry staples and a baking pan. You can whip up this cake in less than an hour and enjoy it warm or cold. It is also great for storing and freezing, so you can always have some on hand for whenever you crave something sweet.
How to Make Treebeards Butter Cake at Home?
Making Treebeards butter cake at home is not difficult at all. You just need to follow these simple steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13-inch (23×33-cm) baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup (226 g) of unsalted butter and 2 cups (400 g) of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add 4 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of vanilla extract and mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk together 2 cups (250 g) of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) of salt.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir until well combined.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and sprinkle 1/4 cup (50 g) of granulated sugar over the top.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool slightly in the pan before cutting into squares or bars.
- Enjoy your homemade Treebeards butter cake with whipped cream, ice cream, or fresh berries if desired.
What are Some Variations of Treebeards Butter Cake?
If you want to try some different flavors of Treebeards butter cake, you can experiment with some variations. Here are some ideas:
Lemon Butter Cake
To make a lemon butter cake, you can add the zest and juice of one lemon to the batter and reduce the vanilla extract to 1/2 teaspoon. You can also add some lemon extract or lemon curd for extra flavor. For the topping, you can sprinkle some lemon sugar or powdered sugar over the cake.
Chocolate Butter Cake
To make a chocolate butter cake, you can add 1/4 cup (25 g) of unsweetened cocoa powder to the flour mixture and increase the sugar to 2 1/4 cups (450 g). You can also add some chocolate chips or chopped chocolate to the batter for extra richness. For the topping, you can sprinkle some chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips over the cake.
Nutty Butter Cake
To make a nutty butter cake, you can add 1/2 cup (60 g) of chopped nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds, to the batter. You can also toast the nuts before adding them for more flavor and crunch. For the topping, you can sprinkle some more chopped nuts or brown sugar over the cake.
Treebeards Butter Cake Nutrition Facts
Treebeards butter cake is a delicious dessert, but it is also high in calories, fat, and sugar. Therefore, it is best to enjoy it in moderation and as an occasional treat. Here is a table that shows the approximate nutrition facts of one serving (1/24) of Treebeards butter cake:
| Calories | Fat | Saturated Fat | Cholesterol | Sodium | Carbohydrates | Sugar | Protein |
| ——– | — | ————- | ———– | —— | ————- | —– | ——- |
| 247 kcal | 12 g | 7 g | 71 mg | 64 mg | 33 g | 23 g | 3 g |
As you can see, Treebeards butter cake is high in calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sugar. It is also low in protein and fiber. Therefore, it is not a very healthy choice for your diet. However, you can make some adjustments to make it healthier, such as:
- Using less butter and sugar in the batter and the topping.
- Using low-fat or non-dairy alternatives for the butter and eggs.
- Using whole wheat or gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- Adding some fruits or vegetables to the batter, such as applesauce, bananas, carrots, or zucchini.
- Cutting smaller pieces and sharing with others.
FAQs about Treebeards Butter Cake
How do I store Treebeards butter cake?
You can store Treebeards butter cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. To thaw it, let it sit at room temperature for a few hours or microwave it for a few seconds.
How do I reheat Treebeards butter cake?
You can reheat Treebeards butter cake in the oven or in the microwave. To reheat it in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and place the cake on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until warm. To reheat it in the microwave, place a slice of cake on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or until warm.
Can I make Treebeards butter cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can make Treebeards butter cake ahead of time and store it until you are ready to serve it. You can either store it at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer. However, if you want to serve it warm, you will need to reheat it before serving.
Can I make Treebeards butter cake in a different pan size?
Yes, you can make Treebeards butter cake in a different pan size, but you will need to adjust the baking time accordingly. A smaller pan will result in a thicker cake that will take longer to bake. A larger pan will result in a thinner cake that will take less time to bake. You can use this chart as a guide to convert pan sizes and baking times.
What kind of sugar should I use for Treebeards butter cake?
You should use granulated sugar for Treebeards butter cake, both for the batter andthe topping. Granulated sugar is also known as white sugar, table sugar, or regular sugar. It is the most common type of sugar and it has a fine and uniform texture. It dissolves easily and creates a smooth and even batter. It also caramelizes well and forms a crunchy crust on top of the cake.
Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for Treebeards butter cake?
You can use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for Treebeards butter cake, but it will change the flavor and texture of the cake. Brown sugar is granulated sugar that has molasses added to it. It has a darker color and a richer and more complex flavor than granulated sugar. It also has more moisture and tends to make baked goods softer and chewier. If you use brown sugar for Treebeards butter cake, you will get a cake that is more moist, dense, and fudgy, with a deeper caramel flavor. You will also need to reduce the amount of brown sugar by about 1/4 cup (50 g) because it is sweeter than granulated sugar.
Can I use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar for Treebeards butter cake?
You can use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar for Treebeards butter cake, but it will also change the flavor and texture of the cake. Powdered sugar is granulated sugar that has been ground into a fine powder and mixed with cornstarch. It has a lighter color and a smoother texture than granulated sugar. It dissolves faster and creates a finer and more delicate crumb in baked goods. However, it also tends to make baked goods drier and less tender. If you use powdered sugar for Treebeards butter cake, you will get a cake that is more dry, crumbly, and airy, with a less pronounced butter flavor. You will also need to increase the amount of powdered sugar by about 1/4 cup (30 g) because it is less sweet than granulated sugar.
Can I add some spices or extracts to Treebeards butter cake?
Yes, you can add some spices or extracts to Treebeards butter cake to give it some extra flavor. Some common spices that go well with butter cake are cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, or cloves. You can add about 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) of your favorite spice to the flour mixture. Some common extracts that go well with butter cake are almond, coconut, rum, or orange. You can add about 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) of your favorite extract to the butter mixture.
Can I make Treebeards butter cake vegan or gluten-free?
Yes, you can make Treebeards butter cake vegan or gluten-free with some substitutions. To make it vegan, you can replace the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil, and replace the eggs with flax eggs or applesauce. To make it gluten-free, you can replace the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour or almond flour. However, these substitutions may affect the taste and texture of the cake, so you may need to adjust the baking time and temperature accordingly.
Conclusion
Treebeards butter cake is a delicious dessert that you can easily make at home with some basic ingredients. It is a moist and buttery cake with a crunchy sugar crust on top that goes well with any topping or accompaniment. It is perfect for any occasion, whether it is a birthday, a holiday, or just a treat for yourself.
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned how to make Treebeards butter cake at home. If you did, please share it with your friends and family who love desserts as much as you do. Also, don’t forget to check out our other articles for more amazing recipes and tips.
Thank you for reading and happy baking!