Fluffy Vanilla Cake Recipe: A Classic Treat Made Simple

Baking a delightful vanilla cake with classic flavor can turn any ordinary day into a celebration of sweetness.

This vanilla cake recipe brings together simple ingredients that dance perfectly in every tender crumb.

Soft, moist, and wonderfully aromatic, the cake delivers comfort in each slice.

Home bakers adore how effortlessly the recipe comes together with basic pantry staples.

The gentle notes of pure vanilla create a rich, delectable backdrop that makes this dessert irresistible.

Professional and home bakers alike can master this straightforward technique with ease.

Let this delectable vanilla cake become your go-to dessert for special moments and spontaneous treats.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 30-35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 470 kcal

Servings: 13

Vanilla Cake Ingredient Checklist

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for classic vanilla cake texture.
• Baking Powder: Creates light, airy rise and ensures soft, fluffy cake layers.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness in the recipe.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to cake's tender, moist texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, smooth base and delivers delicate buttery flavor.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients, add moisture, and provide structural support.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers classic, warm vanilla flavor and aromatic depth.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess, tenderness, and helps activate baking powder.

• Egg Whites: Creates smooth, glossy meringue base for luxurious buttercream.
• Granulated Sugar: Stabilizes egg whites and provides sweet, silky consistency.
• Unsalted Butter: Delivers creamy, rich texture to buttercream.
• Vanilla Extract: Infuses elegant, classic flavor into frosting.

• Confetti Sprinkles: Adds playful, colorful visual appeal and festive touch.
• Nonpareils: Provides delicate, shimmering texture to cake decoration.

Vanilla Cake Gear Guide

• Stand mixer: Essential for creaming butter, mixing batter, and making buttercream with multiple attachments.
• Paddle attachment: Needed for mixing cake batter and buttercream smoothly.
• 8-inch cake rounds: Specific pans for baking the cake layers.
• Parchment paper: Crucial for easy cake removal and preventing sticking.
• Whisk: Used for combining dry ingredients and creating meringue.
• Candy thermometer: Helps achieve precise temperature for egg white mixture.
• Wire rack: Perfect for cooling cakes completely.
• Bench scraper: Helps create smooth frosting edges.
• Piping bag and 1M tip: Used for decorative rosettes.
• Medium mixing bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients.
• Small bowl: For mixing sprinkles.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness by testing center.

Baking Directions for Vanilla Cake

• Cake Pan Preparation

Coat two round baking pans with butter and dust with flour. Line the bottom with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of ingredients.

• Butter and Sugar Creaming

Beat softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process creates air pockets for a tender cake texture.

• Egg and Vanilla Integration

Add eggs one at a time, mixing completely between each addition. Pour in vanilla extract for rich flavor.

• Batter Construction

Gently fold flour mixture and buttermilk into the butter base, alternating between dry and liquid ingredients. Mix until just combined to prevent overmixing.

• Baking Process

Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center.

• Cooling Stage

Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

• Buttercream Creation

Whisk egg whites and sugar over gentle heat until smooth and warm. Whip into meringue, then gradually incorporate butter and vanilla until silky.

• Cake Assembly

Place first cake layer on serving plate. Spread buttercream between layers. Cover entire cake with frosting, smoothing sides for a polished finish.

• Decorative Touches

Sprinkle confetti and nonpareils around cake edges. Optional: Pipe decorative rosettes using remaining frosting.

Ideas to Make Vanilla Cake Your Own

• Swap vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste or scrape real vanilla bean seeds into the batter for an intense, authentic flavor profile.
• Fold in finely chopped toasted almonds or coconut flakes to add unexpected crunch and depth to your cake layers.
• Experiment with different buttercream variations by adding a hint of almond extract, lavender, or citrus zest to transform the classic recipe into something uniquely delicious.
• Wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 weeks, allowing you to prepare components in advance and reduce day-of stress.

Serving Vanilla Cake the Sweet Way

• Festive Party Centerpiece: Transform this classic vanilla cake into a showstopping dessert for birthdays, weddings, or special celebrations by adding elegant decorative elements like gold leaf, delicate sugar flowers, or a personalized cake topper.
• Sweet Flavor Pairings: Complement the vanilla cake's delicate taste with raspberry coulis, fresh strawberry slices, lemon curd, or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce to enhance its richness and create exciting flavor combinations.
• Elegant Presentation Style: Serve each slice on a beautiful ceramic plate with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to elevate the dessert's visual appeal and taste profile.
• Texture Adventure Upgrade: Incorporate crunchy elements like toasted almond slivers, caramelized pecans, or chocolate shavings around the cake's base to introduce delightful textural contrast and add gourmet sophistication to the classic vanilla cake.

Storing and Reheating Vanilla Cake

• Cake Storage Sanctuary: Keep the fully decorated cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and deliciousness.
• Fridge Strategy: Refrigerate the cake if decorated with buttercream for up to 5 days, covering loosely with plastic wrap to prevent moisture absorption.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cake layers in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing them flat in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before assembling.
• Slice Separation Trick: Place wax paper between individual cake slices when storing to prevent sticking and maintain the frosting's pristine appearance.

Moist Vanilla Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade vanilla cake delights with its classic, melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich, creamy frosting. Bakers can create this beloved dessert with simple ingredients and precise mixing techniques to ensure a perfect, tender crumb.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• ¾ cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk or whole milk, room temperature
• 1 ½ tsps vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ tsps baking powder
• ¾ tsp salt

Buttercream Ingredients:

• 2 cups (454 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• 6 large egg whites
• 2 tsps vanilla extract

Assembly Ingredients:

• confetti sprinkles
• nonpareils

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and flour two 8-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper.
2. Dry Ingredient Blend: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl to ensure even distribution.
3. Butter Creaming: Use stand mixer to cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base.
4. Egg Integration: Add eggs one at a time, thoroughly incorporating each. Mix in vanilla extract for aromatic depth.
5. Batter Development: Alternately fold flour mixture and buttermilk into the base, starting and ending with flour. Mix minimally to maintain cake’s tender texture.
6. Baking Process: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes. Test doneness with a toothpick – minimal crumbs indicate perfect baking.
7. Cooling Stage: Rest cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
8. Buttercream Foundation: Combine egg whites and sugar in stand mixer bowl, creating a meringue base over simmering water until smooth and reaching 160°F.
9. Frosting Technique: Whip meringue to stiff peaks, then incorporate butter cubes gradually. Blend in vanilla extract for silky consistency.
10. Cake Assembly: Place first layer on serving plate, spread buttercream. Position second layer and apply a thin crumb coat.
11. Frosting Refinement: Chill cake for 20 minutes, then generously frost entire surface using a bench scraper for smooth finish.
12. Decorative Touches: Optional texturing with decorating comb. Combine confetti sprinkles and nonpareils to embellish cake edges and top.
13. Final Embellishment: Pipe decorative rosettes using 1M tip with remaining frosting for an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• Temperature Precision: Ensure oven is accurately calibrated at 350°F for consistent cake texture and even baking.
• Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing batter to prevent tough, dense cake; blend ingredients just until combined for tender crumb.
• Buttermilk Magic: Room temperature buttermilk helps create smoother batter and enhances cake’s moisture and softness.
• Frosting Finesse: Whip meringue to stiff peaks and cool completely to prevent butter separation and achieve silky buttercream texture.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg