Most experienced bakers have tried this WASC Cake Recipe at least once in their career, and there is a reason that folks keep coming back to it. It works!
WASC Cake
So what is a WASC cake? It is a White Almond Sour Cream cake that is semi-homemade. (Meaning there is a box mix involved!) Bakers love this recipe because it tastes so good, but also holds up very well to decorating and fondant. Not to mention that it is SO open to variation!
How to Make Box Mix Taste Like a Wedding Cake
Making a box mix taste homemade is pretty easy, there are just a few simple ingredients that make it perfect. Be sure to ONLY follow the recipe below when making the cake, do not add the ingredients suggested on the box!
Start by sifting the dry ingredients, then introduce the wet. To ensure that you have success, be sure to use ROOM TEMPERATURE ingredients! This will allow the proper incorporation of all the ingredients.
WASC Recipe
whipped vanilla buttercream recipe
#18 tip
Russian tip – rose design
pastry bags
How to Decorate White Almond Sour Cream Cake
Prepare WASC cake recipe below and allow to cool.
Prepare buttercream. (follow the instructions for WHITE buttercream!)
Set one layer of cooled white cake on the cake stand. Cover with 1/2 cup of buttercream. Place other layer on top. Cover cake in a thin crumb coat.
Divide remaining buttercream between pastry bags fitted with #18 and Russian tip.
Starting at the bottom of the cake and moving around the base, pipe out a criss-cross border with the #18 tip. (think heart shape, then overlap) For the next layer, repeat this same motion but in the opposite direction. Do this around the entire base (sides) of the cake.
For the top, simple pipe out the roses with the Russian tip. I started at the outer edge and moved in towards the center of the cake. I tried to pull up and “out” as I released pressure from the piping bag so that the outer roses are leaning out a bit instead of straight up and down.
Chill cake until ready to serve.
PRO TIPS for WASC Cake
I used egg whites and clear vanilla extract to ensure that my cake would be as white as possible.
I also used room temperature ingredients and did not over-mix the batter.
Allow the cake to cool before decorating! I often pop it into the freezer which helps to minimize crumbs.
So how does this cake hold up? Very well! Now only is it stable, but it tastes really fresh and delicious!
Check out my from-scratch Perfect White Cake here!
WASC Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix (standard size)
- 1 cup (126g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
- 1 cup water
- 4 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon pure almond extract, can use imitation if there are allergies
Instructions
- Mix all dry ingredients by hand using a whisk in a very large mixing bowl.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix on medium-low speed with a stand mixer or medium with a handheld mixer for 2 minutes.
- Pour into two 8-inch round prepared cake pans.
- Lightly tap cake pans on counter to bring air bubbles to top.
- Bake at 325°F for 25-35 minutes (every oven is different!), or until an inserted toothpick is removed mostly clean. Do not overbake.
Video
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This semi-homemade WASC Cake recipe is from Kakeladi on Cake Central.
Whenever I am looking for a recipe I always go with iambaker if given that option.
I am wondering why there isn’t any oil or butter in this cake. I would think you would need them for moistness. Please post I will be looking for your response. Thank you
The recipe works great as-is… you won’t miss the butter and oil. Box mixes are very forgiving and I assure you it is moist.
I love your recipes. Thankyou for sharing.
Is there a chance you could make cupcakes with this recipe?
Any adjustment for high altitude would you recommend? Since there’s addition of the extra flour, maybe it would work?
Hi, Nancy! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. Here are some High Altitude Baking Tips you could try. Have a great day!
Cannot wait to try this!
Would this be stable enough to use in a lamb cake mold?
I am always pleased with your recipes!!!
Could I use whole milk in place of the water? Will the recipe produce enough for 3 6 inch pans? Thank you in advance.
I haven’t tried that, but I believe you could. And yes, it should work in 3 6-inch pans. 🙂
I just made this cake in a 13×9 and it did not rise in the middle. Will still eat – sure smells good. Any idea what happened. Had everything at room temperature. 🤔