Old Fashioned Seven Layer Cake

Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Cuisine: American

Old Fashioned Seven Layer Cake is a nostalgic dessert featuring rich, buttery layers with a tender crumb, perfect for celebrations or family gatherings.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 sticks margarine
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 3 cups self-rising flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  1. Cream sugar and margarine together.
  2. Add eggs and continue creaming.
  3. Add buttermilk, self-rising flour, and vanilla to the mixture.
  4. Beat everything together until smooth.
  5. Bake in 6 or 7 layers at 350°F until done.

Tips & Substitutions

For a lighter cake, consider using unsalted butter instead of margarine. You can substitute whole milk for buttermilk by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk. Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing. If you don't have self-rising flour, combine all-purpose flour with baking powder and salt. A dash of almond extract can also enhance the flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This Old Fashioned Seven Layer Cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of Pineapple Whip Ice Cream for a delightful dessert experience. Consider serving it alongside a cup of coffee or tea. Fresh berries can add a refreshing contrast, and whipped cream can enhance the layers. For a festive touch, decorate with seasonal fruits or edible flowers.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover layers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, place individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or warm in an oven set to 300°F for a few minutes, ensuring not to dry them out.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Old Fashioned Seven Layer Cake contains roughly 1182 calories, with 28g protein, 213g carbohydrates, and 11g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (56% of the Daily Value), iron (55% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and vitamin A. It also contributes 7g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.

1182 kcal 59% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 27.8g 56% DV
Total Fat 10.8g 14% DV
Carbs 212.6g 77% DV
Fiber 7.4g 26% DV
Sugar 12.7g 25% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 316mg 14% DV
Potassium 892.4mg 19% DV
Cholesterol 168mg 56% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 94.2mcg 10% DV
Vitamin C 20.8mg 23% DV
Vitamin D 1.6mcg 8% DV
Calcium 320.9mg 25% DV
Iron 10mg 55% DV
Diet fit High-protein High-fiber Low-fat
Contains Egg Wheat/Gluten

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular flour instead of self-rising flour?

Yes, you can use regular all-purpose flour by adding 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder and 0.5 teaspoons of salt for every cup of flour in the recipe. This will help achieve the same rise as self-rising flour.

What can I do if my cake layers are too dry?

If your layers turn out dry, brushing them with a simple syrup made of equal parts water and sugar can help add moisture. You can also serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of fruit sauce to enhance the moisture.

How do I prevent my layers from sticking to the pan?

To prevent sticking, make sure to grease your cake pans thoroughly with butter or cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Allow the layers to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

American recipes → Vegetarian recipes → Dairy recipes → All recipes →