Hot Milk Cake Recipe: Soft, Spongy & Easy to Bake at Home

Hot milk cake is a classic, old-fashioned dessert known for its soft crumb, light texture, and rich buttery flavor. Unlike regular sponge cakes, this cake uses hot milk and butter, which gives it a moist, melt-in-the-mouth finish. The best part? It’s simple, uses basic pantry ingredients, and doesn’t require fancy equipment.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to making a perfect hot milk cake at home.

Why Hot Milk Cake Is Special

What sets this cake apart is the technique. Warm milk mixed with butter is added to the batter, helping the flour absorb moisture evenly. This creates a tender crumb and a soft texture that stays moist for days. It’s perfect for tea-time, birthdays, or when you want a quick homemade dessert.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (maida)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• A pinch of salt

How to Make Hot Milk Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Oven

• Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F)
• Grease a cake tin and line it with parchment paper

Step 2: Whip Eggs and Sugar

• In a bowl, beat eggs and sugar together
• Whisk until the mixture turns pale, thick, and fluffy

This step helps create a light and airy cake.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt
• Gently fold the dry mixture into the egg batter
• Avoid overmixing to keep the cake soft.

Step 4: Heat Milk and Butter

• Heat milk and butter together until the butter melts
• The mixture should be hot but not boiling

Step 5: Combine and Bake

• Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the batter
• Add vanilla essence and fold gently
• Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin
• Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Cooling and Serving

• Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes
• Transfer to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely
• Slice and serve plain or dust with powdered sugar. It also tastes great with fresh fruits or whipped cream.

Tips for a Perfect Hot Milk Cake

Use room-temperature eggs
Always add hot milk slowly to avoid deflating the batter
Do not overbake, as it can dry out the cake
Measure ingredients accurately

Variations You Can Try

• Chocolate hot milk cake: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the flour
• Nutty version: Fold in chopped almonds or walnuts
• Flavored cake: Add cardamom or orange zest for aroma

Hot milk cake is proof that simple ingredients can create something truly delicious. With its soft texture and rich taste, this cake is perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike. Once you try it, it’s sure to become a regular in your baking routine.