Fluffy Vanilla Cake Recipe: A Sweet Classic Made Simple

Vanilla cake stands as a timeless dessert beloved by bakers and sweet enthusiasts everywhere.

Soft, tender crumbs characterize this classic confection that melts delightfully on your tongue.

Sweet aromatic notes waft through kitchens, promising delectable comfort with every slice.

Baking this treat requires minimal ingredients yet delivers maximum satisfaction for novice and experienced bakers alike.

simple techniques revamp basic pantry staples into a luxurious celebration of pure, uncomplicated flavor.

Rich yet light textures create a perfect canvas for countless creative decorations and personal touches.

Generations have cherished this straightforward recipe that connects families through shared culinary memories.

Simple Vanilla, Pure and Sweet

• Effortless Baking Delight: This vanilla cake recipe offers a simple, foolproof method that even novice bakers can master with confidence, requiring basic ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or a sweet afternoon treat, the cake's classic vanilla flavor appeals to all ages and can be easily customized with different frostings or decorations.
• Texture Heaven: The combination of sour cream, milk, and careful mixing creates an incredibly moist, tender crumb that melts in your mouth, delivering a soft and luxurious eating experience that feels like a warm hug.
• Quick and Adaptable: With minimal prep time and flexible pan options, this recipe allows bakers to whip up a delicious dessert in under an hour, making it ideal for spontaneous baking sessions or last-minute gatherings.

Ingredients That Make This Cake a Staple

• All-Purpose Flour: A soft, fine flour that gives the cake a tender and light texture. All-purpose flour works well for most baking recipes.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise and creates a soft, fluffy structure.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake brown and provides additional lift when combined with acidic ingredients.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a smooth, creamy cake texture. Use unsalted butter for better control of saltiness.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a golden brown color during baking.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps keep the cake soft and tender.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and creates a tangy, rich flavor. Full-fat sour cream works best.
• Milk: Helps thin the batter and adds moisture to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic, sweet flavor. Use pure vanilla extract for the best taste.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet frosting with a spreadable consistency.
• Milk or Heavy Cream: Helps adjust the frosting's thickness and creates a creamy texture.

How to Bake a Soft and Fluffy Vanilla Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Workspace

Warm oven to 350°F. Grease 2-3 springform pans with butter. Line each pan bottom with parchment paper. Set pans aside.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Step 3: Create Butter Mixture

• Butter
• Sugar
• Vegetable oil

Blend until fluffy and light, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Sour cream
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Continue beating until smooth.

Step 5: Combine Cake Batter

Slowly add dry ingredient mixture to wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.

Step 6: Fill Cake Pans

Divide batter evenly among prepared pans.

Step 7: Bake Cake Layers

Bake 2 pans: 40-50 minutes

Bake 3 pans: 32-37 minutes

Check doneness with toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool Cake Layers

Let cakes rest in pans for 20-30 minutes. Remove and cool completely on wire rack.

Step 9: Prepare Frosting

• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Gradually add powdered sugar and milk/heavy cream. Adjust sweetness and consistency.

Step 10: Assemble Cake

Level cake layers if needed. Spread frosting between layers and around sides.

Tips for Even Layers and Clean Slices

• Ensure Butter Softness: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to guarantee smooth, creamy texture.
• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold flour mixture into wet ingredients until just combined to maintain cake's delicate, tender crumb.
• Check Cake Doneness: Use the toothpick test by inserting it into the center; if it comes out clean with minimal crumbs, the cake is perfectly baked.
• Create Even Layers: Use a cake leveler or serrated knife to trim cake tops for uniform, professional-looking layers.
• Frosting Consistency Trick: Add powdered sugar or milk gradually to achieve ideal spreading texture without becoming too thick or runny.

Storage Tips for Moistness That Lasts

• Refrigerate the frosted cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or place inside a cake carrier to prevent drying out. Store cake at a consistent 40°F to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth. Freeze unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving. Reheat individual slices briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness, being careful not to overheat and dry out the cake.

What to Serve With a Classic Vanilla Cake

• Sip Sparkling Champagne: Elevate your vanilla cake experience with a crisp, bubbly champagne that complements the cake's sweet and delicate flavor profile.
• Brew Classic Earl Grey Tea: Pair the vanilla cake with a fragrant Earl Grey tea, whose bergamot notes beautifully enhance the subtle vanilla undertones.
• Serve Fresh Berries: Add a vibrant touch by serving the cake with a side of fresh strawberries or raspberries, providing a tart contrast to the cake's rich sweetness.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a decadent dessert moment by topping the cake with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream for a double vanilla indulgence.

Easy Ways to Change Up the Flavor

• Citrus Burst Cake: Replace vanilla extract with fresh lemon or orange zest for a bright, tangy flavor profile. Add a splash of citrus juice to the batter for extra zing.
• Chocolate Marble Cake: Swirl melted dark chocolate into half the batter before baking, creating a beautiful marbled effect. Use cocoa powder in the frosting for a rich chocolate undertone.
• Nutty Spice Sensation: Mix ground cinnamon and chopped pecans or almonds into the batter. Incorporate cream cheese into the frosting for added depth and creaminess.
• Berry Bliss Cake: Fold fresh or frozen berries like raspberries or blueberries into the batter just before baking. Top with a berry compote or add berry puree to the frosting for intense fruit flavor.

Simple Vanilla Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet Simple Vanilla Cake delivers pure comfort with its classic charm. Moist layers of golden perfection invite you to savor each delightful bite of homemade happiness.

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Ingredients

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Main Dry Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups (300 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 0.75 cup (198 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1.75 cups (346 grams) granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup (59 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (227 grams) sour cream
• 0.5 cup (118 milliliters) whole milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups (565 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 0.125 teaspoon salt
• 6–10 cups (681–1135 grams) powdered sugar
• 3–6 tablespoons milk or heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Prepare oven by heating to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Generously coat two or three 8-inch (20-centimeter) springform pans with unsalted butter and line bottoms with circular parchment paper.
2. Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt in a separate medium bowl.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and vegetable oil until light and airy, approximately 2 minutes.
4. Incorporate whole eggs, sour cream, whole milk, and pure vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until smooth.
5. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing carefully to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender texture.
6. Distribute cake batter evenly across prepared pans, ensuring consistent depth.
7. Bake two pans for 40-50 minutes or three pans for 32-37 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into cake center – it should emerge without wet batter.
8. Allow cakes to rest inside pans for 25 minutes, then carefully transfer to wire cooling rack to reach room temperature.
9. Prepare frosting by whipping unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and salt until fluffy and voluminous.
10. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, adjusting consistency with milk or heavy cream until desired smoothness is achieved.
11. Level cake layers if needed, then carefully stack and frost, spreading filling between each layer and covering entire exterior with remaining frosting.

Notes

• Perfectly prep your pans by buttering and lining with parchment to ensure easy cake removal and no sticking.
• Mix dry ingredients separately first to distribute leavening agents evenly, preventing lumpy or uneven cake texture.
• Beat butter and sugar thoroughly until fluffy to create a light, tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Gradually incorporate flour mixture to avoid overmixing, which can make the cake tough and dense.
• Check cake doneness using the toothpick test – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
• Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding of buttercream layers.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 580 kcal
• Sugar: 52 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg