Perfect White Cake Recipe: Light & Fluffy Sweet Success

White cake stands as a timeless dessert cherished by bakers and sweet lovers alike.

Soft, delicate layers promise a delightful experience that converts ordinary moments into celebrations.

Each carefully measured ingredient contributes to the cake signature tender crumb and pristine appearance.

Culinary magic happens when simple components blend seamlessly, creating a dessert that looks as elegant as it tastes.

Home bakers appreciate this classic recipe for its versatility and crowd-pleasing nature.

Achieving that signature light texture requires precision and a few essential techniques.

Smooth, velvety, and irresistibly pure, this white cake recipe will elevate your baking skills and impress everyone at the table.

Perfect White Cake for Any Celebration

• Silky Smooth Frosting: This white cake frosting delivers an ultra-creamy texture that glides effortlessly across your palate, creating a luxurious mouthfeel that feels like pure indulgence.
• Customizable Consistency: The recipe allows flexible liquid adjustments, letting you control thickness by gradually adding whipping cream or milk until you achieve your perfect spreadable or piped frosting texture.
• Flavor-Packed Elegance: Combining vanilla and almond extracts creates a sophisticated, nuanced taste profile that elevates the traditional buttercream with subtle, sophisticated undertones that dance on your taste buds.
• Quick and Easy Preparation: Using an electric mixer makes this recipe incredibly simple, requiring minimal ingredients and just a few minutes to whip up a professional-quality frosting that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end bakery.

What Goes into a Perfect White Cake

• Butter: Rich, creamy base that provides smooth texture and rich flavor for the frosting.
• Whipping Cream or Milk: Helps create smooth, spreadable consistency and adds subtle richness.

• Powdered Sugar: Main sweetener that creates silky smooth frosting texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Classic flavor enhancer with warm, sweet aroma.
• Almond Extract: Adds delicate, nutty background note to complement vanilla.

• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile of the frosting.

Baking Instructions for a Perfect White Cake

Step 1: Soften the Butter

Grab a large mixing bowl and your electric mixer. Beat the butter on medium speed until it turns smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Create Powdered Sugar Base

Gradually add powdered sugar to the butter, pouring at a time. Start mixing on low speed to prevent sugar clouds. Once ingredients blend, increase mixer speed to medium and whip for 3 minutes.

Step 3: Enhance Flavor Profile

• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• Salt

Step 4: Adjust Frosting Consistency

Incorporate whipping cream or milk, starting with . Blend slowly and add more liquid as needed until you reach the perfect smooth, spreadable texture.

Tips for Fluffy and Tender White Cake

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, creamy texture without lumps.
• Control Mixer Speed: Start beating on low speed when adding powdered sugar to prevent sugar clouds and messy kitchen mishaps.
• Check Frosting Consistency: Add liquid gradually to avoid runny frosting, aiming for a spreadable, silky-smooth texture that holds its shape.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Experiment with quality vanilla extract or try a splash of pure almond extract for a more complex, gourmet taste.
• Chill Before Decorating: Refrigerate frosted cake for 15-20 minutes to set the frosting and create a more stable surface for piping or additional decorations.

Preserving the Freshness of White Cake

• Refrigeration: Store leftover white cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Carefully cover the cake with plastic wrap or place it in a sealed container to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Freezing: Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Frozen cake can maintain its quality for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
• Reheating: Thaw refrigerated or frozen cake at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. Microwave individual slices for 10-15 seconds to restore softness, being careful not to overheat and dry out the delicate cake texture.

Great Pairings for a Slice of White Cake

• Elevate Sweetness with Berry Bliss: Pair this delicate white cake with a chilled raspberry bellini or strawberry-infused champagne to enhance the cake's subtle vanilla and almond notes.
• Complement Creamy Textures: Serve alongside a scoop of lavender honey ice cream or a delicate lemon sorbet to balance the cake's rich buttercream frosting and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Create Afternoon Tea Magic: Match the cake with Earl Grey tea or a light Darjeeling, whose floral and subtle bergamot undertones will beautifully complement the cake's delicate almond and vanilla flavors.
• Indulge in Dessert Wine: Enjoy a small glass of Moscato d'Asti or a light Sauternes, whose sweet and slightly effervescent characteristics will harmonize perfectly with the cake's smooth, creamy profile.

Flavor Variations for Perfect White Cake

• Citrus Zest Frosting: Enhance the classic white cake frosting by adding fresh lemon or orange zest for a bright, tangy flavor that complements the sweet base.
• Lavender Infused Cream: Gently steep dried lavender buds in warm cream before adding to the frosting, creating a subtle floral undertone that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Coconut Cream Transformation: Replace regular milk or whipping cream with coconut cream to introduce a rich, tropical dimension to the frosting's texture and taste.
• Chocolate Drizzle Edition: Melt dark or milk chocolate and carefully drizzle over the finished frosting, creating an elegant and indulgent contrast to the white cake's simplicity.

Perfect White Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

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

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Description

Classic white cake delivers pure elegance with delicate crumb and silky buttercream frosting. Celebration desserts reach new heights with this refined recipe that invites sweet memories at special moments you’ll treasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (340 grams) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 5–6 cups (550–660 grams) powdered sugar, sifted

Liquid Ingredients:

• ¼ to ⅓ cup (60–80 ml) whipping cream or milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract

Seasoning:

• ½ teaspoon salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious mixing bowl and select either a stand mixer or a hand-held electric mixer for optimal cream preparation.
2. Position the mixer on medium speed and whip the butter until it transforms into a smooth, creamy texture with soft peaks forming.
3. Methodically incorporate powdered sugar into the butter mixture, adding one cup at a time while maintaining a low mixer speed to prevent sugar dispersion.
4. Once all sugar is integrated, elevate the mixer speed to medium and continue beating for approximately 3 minutes, creating a light and fluffy frosting base.
5. Introduce flavor enhancers by adding pure vanilla extract, delicate almond extract, and a pinch of salt to elevate the frosting’s complexity.
6. Gradually stream in whipping cream or whole milk, starting with , and adjust the liquid quantity to achieve the ideal spreadable consistency.
7. Pause periodically during mixing to scrape down the bowl’s sides, ensuring all ingredients blend uniformly and no dry pockets remain.
8. Continue mixing until the frosting reaches a silky, spreadable texture that holds its shape but remains easily manipulated for cake decoration.

Notes

• Creamy butter creates the perfect base for a smooth, luxurious frosting texture.
• Gradually adding powdered sugar prevents lumps and ensures a silky, even mixture.
• Beat the frosting on medium speed to incorporate air, making it light and fluffy.
• Extracts like vanilla and almond add depth and complexity to the classic frosting flavor.
• Adjust the cream or milk carefully to control the frosting’s spreadability and consistency.
• Chill the frosting briefly if it becomes too soft, helping it set up perfectly for cake decorating.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg