Homemade Vanilla Cake Recipe
Introduction
A Homemade Vanilla Cake offers pure comfort—moist, fluffy, and brimming with delicate vanilla flavors. This classic is celebrated for its simplicity and adaptability. Whether layered for a birthday party or served as a simple sheet cake, its tender crumb and fragrant aroma make it universally adored.
With pantry staples and a few easy steps, you can whip up a bakery-quality treat right from home. There’s no better way to charm a crowd or elevate an ordinary day.
What Makes This Homemade Vanilla Cake So Irresistible?
This cake achieves the perfect texture by balancing lightness and moisture, thanks to the creaming method and just-right ingredients. Vanilla lends enchanting sweetness, while real butter imparts richness. The result: a golden, delectable slice that stands beautifully alone or pairs with any frosting under the sun.
Key Tips for a Flawless Vanilla Cake
Achieving a tender, even crumb relies on a few techniques:
- Sift your flour for extra lightness.
- Ensure all ingredients—especially butter and eggs—are at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Measure precisely using a Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display for accuracy; baking is a science!
- Prepare your pans with a quality liner, like Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll—this guarantees easy release and no sticking.
Mixing and Baking the Cake
Start by creaming your butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. This critical step incorporates air, ensuring your vanilla cake rises high and bakes with a delicate texture. An electric mixer helps, but a stand mixer or a powerful handheld will do the trick too.
Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture—this gradual combination prevents overmixing, preserving the cake’s lightness.
Pour your batter into lined pans and bake just until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. To get perfect edges and avoid overbaking, invest in a reliable set of Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet or classic cake pans.
Frosting and Serving Suggestions
Once cool, frost your cake with classic buttercream, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. For clean, professional slices, use a sharp kitchen knife—consider the sturdy KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears with Protective Sheath for any cake decorations.
For celebrations, serve atop a festive table setting with a Pureegg Plastic Table Cloth Disposable to keep clean-up a breeze.
Nutritional Information and Yield
This recipe yields one 9-inch two-layer cake, serving approximately 10–12. Each serving contains about 300–350 calories, depending on frosting and additional toppings. Enjoy in moderation for a special treat.
Homemade Vanilla Cake Recipe Recap
A timeless dessert, homemade vanilla cake shines in its simplicity, buttery aroma, and light, airy crumb. From intimate gatherings to special occasions, it brings people together and showcases the undeniable charm of homemade baking.
Ingredients
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs (room temperature)
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk (room temperature)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 9-inch round pans with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for effortless removal.
- In a bowl, whisk together sifted flour, baking powder, and salt. Use a digital kitchen scale for precise measurement.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar with a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy—about 3–5 minutes.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- With the mixer on low, alternately add the flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Use KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt Set to protect your hands while handling hot pans.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely before frosting or serving.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Enjoy the simple luxury of homemade vanilla cake—the perfect blend of vanilla, butter, and joy in every slice!
