Desserts · United States

1-2-3-4 Cake

Name: 1-2-3-4 Cake
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 8–10
Cuisine: United States
Ingredients: 1 cup (240 g / 8.5 oz) butter; 1 cup (240 ml / 8.1 oz) milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups (450 g / 16 oz) white granulated sugar; 3 cups (400 g / 14 oz) all-purpose flour; 3 teaspoons baking powder; 3 pinches of salt; 4 eggs

This is a traditional American recipe for a 1-2-3-4 cake, a simple form of yellow cake. The name comes from the volumetric ratio of butter to sugar, flour, and eggs.

Published October 16, 2026

EST. TOTAL TIME1h 20m

DIFFICULTYEasy

SERVES8–10

Time and difficulty are editorial estimates; allow extra time for your equipment and experience.

Jump to recipe ↓

What you’ll need

Tap an ingredient as you get it ready.

Let’s make it

Step 1
Preheat oven to 175 °C (350 °F)
Step 2
Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy.
Step 3
Beat in the vanilla and eggs, one at a time, ensuring the batter is well mixed after each egg.
Step 4
Gradually sift in the dry ingredients, alternating with small additions of the milk.
Step 5
Transfer to a greased and floured baking pan.
Step 6
Bake at 175 °C (350 °F), until a skewer inserted shows no moist crumbs.

1-2-3-4 Cake

What you’ll need

Let’s make it

More to savor

Reindling (Austrian Yeasted Easter Cake)

Simple Tarragon Quiche

Pound Cake: The Simple Idea Behind a Rich Slice

Muffins: The Small Bake with More Than One Identity