Description
This is the best vanilla cake recipe for a soft, fluffy, and moist layer cake perfect for birthdays and special occasions. You get a foolproof recipe for a classic birthday cake paired with a creamy vanilla buttercream frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- For the Frosting: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 4 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream; pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper circles.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients in three additions, mixing well after each addition until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until combined.
- Add the vanilla extract, salt, and heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add more cream if needed for desired spreading consistency.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, frost and stack the layers. This is your perfect vanilla cake ready for any celebration.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs and milk; this helps the batter emulsify for a softer crumb.
- For extra vanilla flavor, use high-quality pure vanilla extract.
- You can make this a vanilla sheet cake recipe by baking the batter in a greased and floured 9×13 inch pan for about 35-40 minutes.
- This cake freezes well once cooled and frosted.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 55g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 110mg