Easy and simple Vanilla Cake that bakes fluffy, soft and oh-so-moist. Baked in 6 inch pans, this cake is super easy to decorate and is perfect for small gatherings!
Try my single layered Mini Vanilla Cake next! Find all recipes from Greedy Eats here.
If stick to the fork moist is your kind of Vanilla Cake, you have come to the right place. Topped with smooth and creamy Vanilla Buttercream this cake is perfect for Birthday Parties, Valentines Day or any small get together!
Taste and Texture:
- Melt in your mouth soft
- Stick to the fork moist
- Fluffy and flavor packed
- Topped with creamy Vanilla Buttercream
What do you need to make a vanilla cake from scratch?
- Butter: Remember to take butter out of refrigerator at least half an hour before you want to make cake batter.
- Leaveners: Both baking soda and baking powder will be required to lift the cake.
- Vanilla: There can never exist a vanilla cake without some good vanilla flavor. And for that flavor to be good, you need to use pure vanilla extract. If you have vanilla beans on your hands, even better!
- Buttermilk: Use room temperature buttermilk because it will mix well with other ingredients to create a homogenous cake batter. If you don't have buttermilk on hand simply add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar or lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup. Then add enough whole milk until it reaches ¾ cup.
- Flour: Cake flour is the base of this recipe. Cake flour makes the cake crumb super soft. I don't recommend replacing it with homemade cake flour!
How to make Vanilla Cake:
- Prepare your pans: by greasing them and and lining them with round cut parchment papers.
- Beat butter and sugar: Butter must be at room temperature before you start beating it. Beat for good 2-3 minutes to incorporate some air into the batter.
- Add Egg and egg whites: Beat them well to combine.
- Next add in dry ingredients: I sift my dry ingredients over wet to save an extra bowl. 😉 Add in buttermilk and beat gently to form batter.
- Pour batter in pans: Scoop out the batter in cups and pour into pans to get even cake layers. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 deg f until done.
How long does cake take to bake?
This cake will need around 23-26 minutes in the oven. Usually a cake is done baking when a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
What makes a cake moist and fluffy?
A combination of leaveners and buttermilk makes the cake fluffy. And believe me buttermilk will make it super moist.
Is there a difference between white cake and vanilla cake?
Both are vanilla flavored cakes. The difference lies in the fact that a yellow cake uses egg yolks along with whites. That is where yellow cake gets its flavor from. While white cake uses only egg whites to get that pristine white color!
Tips to make Perfect Vanilla Cake:
- Always start with room temperature ingredients
- Never skimp on the beating time of the cake
- Do not overmix the batter after putting dry ingredients in
- You can bake this cake in 2 6-inch pans instead of three, if you prefer thicker layers. Keep an eye on the cake after 24 minutes in that case. Same room temperature.
More Cake Recipes you will love:
Berry Swirled Vanilla Bundt Cake
If you liked this recipe give it a star review. Also, tell me in the comments below, how did this turn out for you! And don’t forget to share your creations with me on Instagram at #greedyeatsblog Seeing your creations make my day! Are we friends yet? Follow me on Pinterest and Facebook! ♥
Recipe
Simple Vanilla Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Cake Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ¾ Cup Butter (at room temp)
- 1 Cup Granulated sugar
- 1 large Egg + 2 additional egg whites (at room temp)
- 1 ½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- ¾ Cup Buttermilk (at room temp)
Vanilla Buttercream:
- ¾ Cup Butter (at room temp)
- 3 Cups (360 gms) Confectioners' Sugar
- 2 tablespoon Heavy Whipping Cream (or full fat milk)
- ¾ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- Pinch Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease three 6-inch cake pans, flour and line them with parchment paper and set aside.
- Using a handheld or stand mixer beat butter and sugar together on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Â Beat in the egg, 2 egg whites, and vanilla extract on high speed until combined (for about 2 minutes). Mixture will look curdled as a result of the egg liquid and solid butter combining. Do not worry it will come together when you will mix dry ingredients in!
- Sift dry ingredients over wet. Now pour in the buttermilk and mix just until combined. You can also fold the batter with hands using a spatula at this stage. Pour batter in the prepared pans evenly. Bake for about 23-26 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center of cake should come out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack. Cool the cakes completely before frosting.
To make Vanilla Buttercream:
- In a large bowl using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt with the mixer running on low. Then beat for 2 more minutes increasing the speed. Frosting will turn creamy and fluffy at this point.
Assemble and Decorate:
- Slice a thin layer off tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand or cake turntable. Cover the top with frosting. Top with 2nd cake layer and evenly cover the top with frosting again. Top with the third cake layer and spread the remaining frosting all over the top and sides.
Notes
- Always start with room temperature ingredients.
- Never skimp on the beating time of the cake.
- Do not overmix the batter after putting dry ingredients in.
- You can bake this cake in 2 6-inch pans instead of three, if you prefer thicker layers. Keep an eye on the cake after 24 minutes in that case. Same room temperature.
Yudith Napitupulu
Wow... I can't say anything....The cake is looks yummy and decadent. Can't wait to try this soon.
Yanitza
Great recipe and the cake looks beautiful! I can't wait to try this recipe.
Ntensibe Edgar
Nnniiiccceeeeeee....I am storing away this recipe for later! It might come in handy, this weekend or early March!
Ashley t
This cake looks so good and I love that its a simple recipe. You decorated it beautifully as well.
Sara | mshealthesteem.com
First of all, your cake decorating skills are amazing! WOW! That's so beautiful. I love vanilla cake and frosting. It's a classic for a reason. But I've never had one decorated like this ^^. Thank you for sharing the recipe so we can make some for ourselves.
Nikola Roza
This vanilla cake looks amazing. Unfortunately it's a bit too complicated for me to make it, but I'll pass this recipe over to my girlfriend so she can give it a shot.
Thank you!
Monidipa
The cake looks delicious. I am bad at baking. But my sister in law can.
Alvern
This looks so easy and delicious to make. I can't wait for the next special occasion so that I can give this recipe a try.
Veronika Sykorova
What a beautiful cake! Love the decorations!
Elizabeth O
I can't wait to make this! It looks so rich and decadent, but it's also so easy. That's the perfect combo.
yana
I like simple recipes, it looks really very simple and easy to try. Thanks I will try it today!
Joanna
This looks like such a delicious cake. I like vanilla cakes, especially when they are moist and fluffy.
Natalia
This cake looks like a piece of art... would be a pity to destroy it! I need to check this recipe out! 🙂
Janet
Hi
If I don’t have cake flour what do I use?
If I want to make a 10 inch x 3 inch deep round tin, would I just double all ingredients, and what temperature would I set oven on, and how long will it take to cook.
Regards
Janet
GreedyEats
Hi Janet! You can use homemade cake flour instead as a substitute, but I recommend cake flour for best texture. If you are planning to bake a one layered cake, I'd suggest try this recipe instead. https://greedyeats.com/small-vanilla-cake-recipe/ You can double it to fit in your pan.
Lavanda Michelle
This recipe looks super delicious. I haven't had a handmade cake in a while, so I will definitely consider making this. Thanks for sharing!
Tara Pittman
This cake looks so delicious. I need to bake this for my son's birthday next month.
Amber Myers
I love cake. This one looks amazing. I'll have to make it with my kids!
Cristina Petrini
Vanilla is one of my favorite flavors and although the recipe is mouth-watering I doubt I will be able to have a result as unique and beautiful as yours! Wonderful!
Colleen
Oh wow! I'm getting hungry just looking at this. I love that rich, tender cake and frosting. I must make this!
Mosaic Artwork
oh my!!! This looks sooooo good!!! I can't wait to make it, can't wait!!!