Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Dot Cake Recipe

Dot Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A traditional dot cake recipe creates a light, fluffy Portuguese sponge cake with a simple butter-based batter topped with decorative dots of cake batter, creating a distinctive spotted appearance.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) Unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup (200g) Granulated sugar
  • 3 large Eggs, room temperature
  • 1.5 cups (187g) All-purpose flour
  • 1.5 teaspoons Baking powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons Vanilla extract
  • 0.5 cup (120ml) Whole milk
  • 0.25 teaspoon Fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius) and position the rack to the center position for even baking.
  2. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan thoroughly with butter or cooking spray and line the pan bottom with parchment paper.
  3. Measure all ingredients properly, spooning flour into measuring cups and leveling with a knife.
  4. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest (if using) in a medium bowl and whisk together thoroughly.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, cream room-temperature butter and granulated sugar together for 3 to 4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  6. Add the three room-temperature eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition, then add vanilla extract.
  7. Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture in three portions, beginning and ending with flour, mixing until just combined.
  8. Pour approximately two-thirds of the batter into the prepared pan, reserving the remaining batter for creating dots.
  9. Spoon the reserved batter carefully across the top of your cake in evenly spaced dollops roughly the size of walnuts.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  11. Remove the cake from the oven and let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Chef Tips: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before beginning to promote proper emulsification. Cream butter and sugar for the full 3 to 4 minutes to incorporate air. Use a light hand when folding in flour to maintain a tender crumb. Drop the reserved batter with a small spoon to form the dots evenly. Check for doneness starting at 40 minutes. Cool in the pan for exactly 15 minutes before turning out.

  • Author: Jake
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Portuguese
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 285
  • Sugar: 24g
  • Sodium: 180mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg