Why We Love This Best Vanilla Cake Recipe
Even if you consider yourself a cook, rather than a baker, every good cook needs a few go-to desserts in their arsenal. A soft fluffy vanilla recipe cake is the perfect classic treat to make for work events, potlucks, and of course, birthday parties! We love this vanilla cake recipe because it is so versatile. You can make it as a layer cake, a sheet cake, or even cupcakes. You can frost it with any sort of frosting you like, because what doesn’t go with vanilla? We love classic vanilla cake as a “birthday cake” because it’s such a crowd-pleaser. This particular birthday cake recipe is slathered with our Homemade Funfetti Frosting so it’s perfect for your special day! The vanilla cake is ultra moist, with a bold vanilla flavor. Therefore it’s important to use pure vanilla extract. It has a delicate crumb with small pores and is very tender and fluffy. Honestly, it’s about as perfect as a vanilla cake can be. Whether dressed up for elegant events or served sheet-pan casual, you will absolutely love this easy vanilla birthday cake recipe!
Ingredients You Need
This vanilla cake recipe uses butter instead of oil for a flavorful and delicate crumb! Here’s what you’ll need:
Cake Flour – You can substitute all-purpose flour + a little cornstarch if needed. Baking Powder Baking Soda Salt Unsalted Butter – For quality control, it’s always better to use unsalted butter and add your own salt. Granulated Sugar Eggs – 2 large eggs + 1 egg white Buttermilk – Buy it or make it yourself! Vanilla Extract – Pure, not imitation. Homemade Funfetti Frosting – Check out our recipe! You can also use a vanilla buttercream frosting and top it off with sprinkles for an adorable birthday cake!
How To Make Vanilla Cake
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Set out two 9-inch cake pans or one 9×13-inch baking dish. Grease and flour the pans. If you plate to flip the cake out of the pan, line the bottoms with parchment paper before greasing the pan. Trace the bottom of the pans onto the parchment paper and cut the pieces out to fix exactly! In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar on high speed, until ultra light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Then scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients: cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Pour the buttermilk into a large measuring pitcher. Then whisk in the whole eggs, egg white, and vanilla extract. Turn the mixer on low and alternate adding in the flour mixture and the buttermilk, until all is combined. Scrape down the bowl again. Then beat again for 15-30 seconds, just until the batter is smoother. Do not over-mix the batter! Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan(s) and place on the center rack in the oven. Bak 9-inch pans for 22-25 minutes or a 9×13-inch pan for 30-35 minutes. Test the cake by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, remove it from the oven. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully flip out onto a cooling rack, if desired. Cool completely. Once cooled, frost the cake with homemade funfetti frosting, or your desired frosting such as vanilla buttercream or chocolate buttercream for a chocolate cake. Then cut and serve!
Serving Suggestions
A birthday cake with funfetti icing is all you need to celebrate any special occasion! But sometimes a cake is just a little bit more special with a side of ice cream or a drizzle of homemade dessert sauce. Here are some of my personal favorites to go along with this vanilla cake recipe:
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Hot Fudge Sauce Bubble Gum Ice Cream Coconut Milk Ice Cream Caramel Sauce
Homemade Cake Recipe Tips & Tricks
Most baking failures come down to these three things:
Buy fresh ingredients. Especially fresh baking soda and baking powder! If you use old or stale ingredients, you won’t get the same results. Measure accurately. Especially the flour! To measure accurately, spoon the flour into the measuring cup until it is heaping, then use the flat edge of a butter knife to knock off the top and level it out. Make sure your oven thermostat is accurate. Buy an inexpensive oven thermometer to get an accurate read on your oven. Then adjust the temperature as needed.
BONUS: Cakes taste best at room temperature. If you refrigerate your vanilla cake, make sure to set the cake out one hour before serving.
Does Oil or Butter Make a Fluffier Cake?
In order to have a fluffy, light cake, you should use butter. That doesn’t mean that oil doesn’t make a delicious cake because it totally does! Generally, butter will make a cake fluffier and lighter and oil will make a cake moist and dense.
Can I Use Gluten-Free Baking Flour in this Recipe?
Yes! This vanilla cake recipe converts to gluten-free very well. Use 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour mix, instead of wheat flour.
How Far In Advance Can I Make This Cake?
You can make this vanilla cake recipe up to three days in advance. I recommend making the cakes, then wrap them well with plastic wrap and leave at room temperature or pop them in the fridge. Make the frosting when you are ready to serve and decorate the cake before serving!
How Long Does It Last?
After serving, cover the cake well. Then you can leave it out at room temperature for 4-5 days, or refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks.
Can I Freeze Homemade Cake?
Yes! Wrap the cake very well with plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
More Amazing Cake Recipes
The Ultimate Texas Sheet Cake Best Ever Carrot Cake Gooey Butter Cake Apple Sheet Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting Lemon Buttermilk Cake Homemade Strawberry Cake Easy Cream Cheese Pound Cake Strawberry Yogurt Bundt Cake
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