Fluffy Vanilla Cake Recipe Everyone Will Adore

Baking a simple vanilla cake brings pure joy to any kitchen, where this classic vanilla cake recipe shines with its delightful simplicity.

Soft, tender, and wonderfully aromatic, this cake promises to be your go-to dessert for every occasion.

The ingredients are likely already sitting in your pantry, waiting to create something magical.

Mixing the batter takes mere minutes, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers.

Each bite promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience that speaks of comfort and warmth.

The light, fluffy texture combined with rich vanilla notes will have everyone asking for seconds.

Get ready to fall in love with this effortless cake that turns ordinary moments into sweet celebrations.

Quick Recipe Overview

What You’ll Need for Simple Vanilla Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cake together, choose unbleached flour for better texture.
• Baking Powder: Gives the cake its light and airy rise, make sure it’s fresh and not expired.
• Baking Soda: Helps with browning and creates a tender crumb, check for clumps before using.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine-grain table salt for even distribution.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, creamy texture, use room temperature for easy mixing.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender, choose a neutral-flavored oil.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help bind ingredients, use large eggs at room temperature.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tanginess, look for full-fat variety for best results.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth batter and adds moisture, whole milk works best.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings deep, warm flavor, use pure vanilla extract for the best taste.

• Powdered Sugar, Butter: Create a creamy, sweet frosting base, sift powdered sugar to prevent lumps.
• Milk or Heavy Cream: Adjusts frosting consistency, add gradually to control thickness.
• Vanilla Extract, Salt: Enhance frosting flavor, use pure vanilla and fine salt for balanced taste.

Simple Vanilla Cake Tools You’ll Need

• Electric mixer: Essential for beating butter, sugar, and creating a fluffy cake batter.
• Springform pans (8-inch, 2-3): Perfect for easy cake removal and even baking.
• Mixing bowls (large and small): One for wet ingredients, another for dry ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Parchment paper: Helps prevent cake from sticking to pan bottoms.
• Cooling rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Toothpick: Helps test cake doneness by checking for clean insertion.
• Spatula: Useful for spreading frosting and scraping bowl contents.

Directions to Bake a Simple Vanilla Cake

• Oven Preparation

Warm the kitchen’s heart to a cozy 350 degrees, setting the stage for baking magic.

• Pan Setup

Lovingly coat two or three cake pans with butter, then tuck a circular parchment paper into each, creating a smooth landing pad for the batter.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Gently mix flour, rising agents, and a whisper of salt in a small bowl, creating a powdery symphony.

• Creamy Base

Whip butter, sugar, and oil into a fluffy cloud using an electric mixer, transforming humble ingredients into a dreamy mixture.

• Moisture Magic

Introduce eggs, sour cream, milk, and vanilla, letting them dance together until perfectly combined.

• Batter Harmony

Slowly fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring with gentle care until just united.

• Pan Distribution

Pour the silky batter evenly across prepared pans, giving each potential for golden perfection.

• Baking Journey

Slide pans into the oven, watching and waiting 32-50 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean and triumphant.

• Cooling Interlude

Let cakes rest in their pans, then transfer to a cooling rack for a peaceful transition.

• Frosting Finale

Whip butter with vanilla, gradually introducing powdered sugar and cream until achieving a cloud-like texture perfect for decorating.

• Cake Assembly

Level cooled layers, spreading frosting between and around, transforming separate pieces into a delightful whole.

Easy Variations for Simple Vanilla Cake

• Swap regular vanilla extract with Madagascar or Tahitian vanilla for deeper, more complex notes that elevate the cake’s taste profile.
• Fold in toasted coconut flakes, chopped nuts, or mini chocolate chips into the batter for unexpected crunch and delightful surprises.
• Replace classic vanilla buttercream with cream cheese frosting, whipped chocolate ganache, or tangy lemon glaze to transform the cake’s overall character.
• Incorporate fresh berries between layers during summer, sprinkle crushed peppermint during winter, or add citrus zest for a bright, refreshing twist.
• Wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze up to 2 months, allowing you to prepare components ahead of time for stress-free entertaining.

Ideas for Serving Simple Vanilla Cake

• Serve Alongside Delightful Pairings: Complement the vanilla cake with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or fresh berries for a burst of flavor.
• Elevate the Presentation: Dust the cake with powdered sugar, add edible flowers, or garnish with chocolate shavings to create a stunning visual appeal.
• Create Flavor Variations: Experiment with different frostings like chocolate, cream cheese, or add a layer of fruit jam between cake layers for a unique twist.
• Perfect Party Centerpiece: Use this versatile cake for birthdays, celebrations, or afternoon tea, decorating it to match the occasion’s theme and mood.

Storing Simple Vanilla Cake for Days

• Refrigerate Smart: Store the unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days before assembling.
• Freeze for Later: 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 frosting.
• Maintain Frosting Freshness: Keep the fully assembled cake covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Always bring to room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and texture.
• Slice and Save: Cut leftover cake into individual portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for quick and convenient treats during the week.

Heavenly Vanilla Cake

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Home bakers adore this simple vanilla cake recipe as a classic dessert with delightful simplicity. Creamy buttercream frosting and light crumb make this sweet treat perfect for celebrations and casual gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.75 cups (346 grams) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (227 grams) sour cream
• 0.75 cup (198 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2.5 cups (300 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.25 cup (59 ml) vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup (118 ml) whole milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2.5 cups (565 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 6–10 cups (681–1135 grams) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps vanilla extract
• 3–6 tbsps milk or heavy cream
• 0.125 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat Setup: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and meticulously prepare springform pans by brushing with butter and lining bottoms with parchment paper.
2. Dry Ingredients Preparation: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a mixing bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of leavening agents.
3. Butter Mixture Creation: Cream butter, sugar, and oil using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light, pale, and voluminous, approximately 2 minutes.
4. Wet Ingredient Integration: Blend eggs, sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, creating a smooth, homogeneous liquid base.
5. Batter Composition: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, maintaining a gentle technique to preserve the cake’s tender crumb structure.
6. Pan Distribution and Baking: Divide batter evenly across prepared pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean – approximately 32-50 minutes depending on pan quantity.
7. Cooling Process: Rest cakes in pans for 25 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack, allowing complete temperature equilibration.
8. Frosting Development: Whip butter, vanilla, and salt until fluffy, gradually incorporating powdered sugar and adjusting consistency with milk or cream.
9. Final Assembly: Level cake layers if necessary, stack carefully, spreading frosting between layers and covering the entire exterior with a smooth, even coating.

Notes

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, sugar, and leavening agents to ensure consistent cake texture and rise.
• Room Temperature Matters: Bring eggs, butter, and dairy ingredients to room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more uniform batter.
• Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients to prevent tough, dense cake by maintaining a light, tender crumb.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Test cake with a toothpick in the center – a clean toothpick indicates perfectly baked cake, preventing underbaking or overbaking.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 408
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 202 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg