Fluffy Vanilla Cake Recipe: Sweet Simplicity at Its Finest

Crafting a delectable vanilla cake brings pure joy to home bakers seeking sweet comfort.

Soft, pillowy layers promise a delightful dessert that melts in your mouth.

Subtle hints of rich vanilla dance through each tender crumb, creating a classic treat everyone adores.

Professional pastry chefs and kitchen novices alike can master this simple yet elegant recipe.

Light and airy textures emerge from carefully measured ingredients that blend seamlessly together.

Warm memories of childhood celebrations often start with this timeless dessert that feels like a gentle embrace.

You’ll want to slice into this heavenly creation and savor every moment of deliciousness.

Vanilla Cake That’s Fluffy, Classic, And Crowd-Pleasing

• Craft with Ease: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this vanilla cake recipe welcomes both novice and experienced home cooks with its straightforward steps and minimal ingredients.
• Quick Kitchen Companion: Minimal preparation and simple mixing technique make this cake a go-to dessert for busy households, offering delightful results without complex techniques.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Adaptable for various celebrations like birthdays, family gatherings, or casual weekend treats, this vanilla cake brings joy to any occasion with its classic taste and soft texture.
• Stress-Free Baking: Requiring basic pantry staples and standard kitchen tools, this recipe eliminates complicated measurements and specialized equipment, ensuring a stress-free baking experience for everyone.

What Goes Into Making Amazing Vanilla Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational structure that provides the cake with its essential texture and form.
• Granulated Sugar: A sweet component that adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.

• Eggs: Provide moisture, structure, and help bind the ingredients together.
• Milk: Adds richness and contributes to the cake's soft and tender texture.
• Butter: Brings richness, flavor, and helps create a moist cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic, sweet, and aromatic flavor to the cake.

• Powdered Sugar, Vanilla Buttercream Frosting: Adds a decorative and sweet finishing touch to the cake.

How To Bake Vanilla Cake Without The Stress

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F. Grab a 9-inch round cake pan and coat it generously with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Sift these ingredients together, breaking up any stubborn lumps to ensure a silky-smooth texture.

Step 3: Froth The Eggs

Grab a separate bowl and whisk the eggs until they transform into a light, airy mixture with a beautiful frothy appearance.

Step 4: Create Liquid Magic

Gently melt the butter and let it cool slightly. Pour in milk and vanilla extract, blending smoothly with the whisked eggs until everything looks perfectly combined.

Step 5: Marry Wet And Dry Ingredients

Slowly pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon or electric mixer to blend everything together. Mix until the batter looks completely smooth with no flour streaks visible.

Step 6: Pan The Batter

Transfer the cake batter into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly, creating a perfectly level surface.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean without any wet batter.

Step 8: Cool Down

Remove the cake from the oven. Let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: Dress It Up

Once cooled, you can dust the top with powdered sugar or spread a luscious layer of vanilla buttercream frosting.

Step 10: Serve And Enjoy

Slice the cake and serve at room temperature. Savor the tender crumb and delightful vanilla essence with each bite.

Tips For Light And Airy Vanilla Cake

• Select the Highest Quality Ingredients: Choose fresh, high-quality vanilla extract and pure unsalted butter for the most authentic and rich flavor profile.
• Prevent Cake from Sticking: Line the bottom of the cake pan with parchment paper after greasing to ensure easy removal and a perfect cake shape.
• Master the Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing the batter, which can lead to a tough and dense cake – mix just until ingredients are combined for a tender crumb.
• Check Oven Temperature Accuracy: Use an oven thermometer to verify the exact temperature, as slight variations can significantly impact cake texture and baking time.
• Enhance Moisture Retention: Let the cake cool completely before frosting, and consider brushing a simple syrup over the layers to keep the cake incredibly moist and soft.

Fun Twists For Everyday Vanilla Cake

• Chocolate Swirl Sensation: Fold melted dark chocolate into half the batter, creating beautiful marbled patterns when swirled together before baking.
• Citrus Zinger: Add fresh lemon or orange zest directly into the batter, enhancing the vanilla cake with bright, tangy undertones.
• Nutty Comfort: Mix chopped toasted almonds or pecans into the batter for a crunchy texture and rich, warm flavor profile.
• Berry Bliss: Gently fold fresh blueberries or raspberries into the batter just before pouring into the pan, creating bursts of fruity goodness throughout each slice.

Perfect Pairings For Vanilla Cake Treats

• Pair with Sweet Berries: Fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries complement the vanilla cake's delicate sweetness, adding bright, tangy notes that enhance the dessert's rich flavor profile.
• Create Creamy Beverage Match: Serve alongside a classic latte or cappuccino, where the coffee's robust warmth beautifully balances the cake's soft, tender texture and vanilla undertones.
• Elevate with Dessert Wine: Select a light moscato or late-harvest riesling, whose subtle sweetness and fruity hints perfectly harmonize with the vanilla cake's delicate and smooth characteristics.
• Boost with Whipped Cream: Top the cake with homemade whipped cream infused with a hint of vanilla or almond extract, creating an extra layer of creamy indulgence that amplifies the cake's inherent flavors.

How To Keep Vanilla Cake Soft And Tasty

• Store the vanilla cake in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining its moisture and freshness.
• Wrap the completely cooled cake layers individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, storing for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Keep the unfrosted cake at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, ensuring it remains covered to prevent drying out and preserve its soft texture.
• Place parchment paper between cake slices when storing to prevent sticking and maintain the cake's delicate structure during refrigeration or room temperature storage.

Vanilla Cake FAQs To Keep You On Track

• Can I use alternative flour for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with cake flour or gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure you use the same measurement and sift it well to maintain the cake’s light texture.

• What if I don't have vanilla extract?

You can replace vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste, scraped vanilla bean seeds, or vanilla essence. Each will provide a slightly different flavor intensity, but will still work well in the recipe.

• How do I know my cake batter is properly mixed?

The batter should look smooth and have no visible flour streaks. When you lift the mixer or spoon, the batter should fall smoothly and create a ribbon-like effect that slowly disappears.

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake the cake a day in advance and store it at room temperature, wrapped in plastic wrap to maintain moisture.

Vanilla Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet vanilla cake delights taste buds with its classic charm and irresistible aroma. Moist crumb and delicate flavor invite you to savor each heavenly bite of this timeless dessert.

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Ingredients

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Cake Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Cake Wet Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting)
• 1/4 cup vanilla buttercream frosting (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter or cooking spray.
2. Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl, ensuring no lumps remain.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs until they become light and frothy, creating a smooth consistency.
4. Melt butter and allow it to cool slightly, then incorporate milk and vanilla extract into the egg mixture, stirring until well combined.
5. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon or electric mixer until the batter becomes smooth and no flour streaks are visible.
6. Carefully transfer the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.
8. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Once cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar or generously spread vanilla buttercream frosting if desired.
10. Slice and serve the cake at room temperature, enjoying its tender crumb and delicate vanilla flavor.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth batter and consistent mixing without lumps or uneven texture.
• Avoid overmixing the batter, which can lead to a tough, dense cake by developing too much gluten in the flour.
• Rotate the cake pan halfway through baking to guarantee even heat distribution and prevent uneven browning.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the cake’s delicate texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg