The Fluffiest Homemade Vanilla Cake Recipe Everyone Will Love

Sweet memories often start with a perfect homemade vanilla cake that whispers comfort and nostalgia.

Soft, pillowy layers promise delightful moments around your kitchen table.

Baking feels like magic when simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.

Subtle vanilla notes weave through each tender crumb, creating a dessert that speaks directly to your heart.

Gentle mixing techniques unlock incredible flavors waiting to bloom.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike adore this straightforward recipe that delivers pure deliciousness.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s make something spectacular that will make everyone smile.

Vanilla Cake Questions People Often Ask

• Why is buttermilk important in this vanilla cake recipe?

Buttermilk helps create a tender, moist cake texture by breaking down gluten proteins and adding subtle tanginess that enhances the cake’s overall flavor.

• Can I substitute all-purpose flour with another type of flour?

While all-purpose flour works best for this recipe, you can use cake flour for an even lighter texture, but avoid whole wheat or alternative flours which might change the cake’s consistency.

• How do I ensure my cake layers bake evenly?

Use room temperature ingredients, properly measure flour by spooning and leveling, and rotate the cake pans halfway through baking to promote uniform heat distribution and prevent uneven browning.

Why Homemade Vanilla Cake Is Always A Hit

• Craft with Ease: This vanilla cake recipe welcomes bakers of all skill levels, making it perfect for beginners and experienced home cooks who want a straightforward baking experience.
• Family Celebration Star: Versatile and crowd-pleasing, this cake becomes the centerpiece of birthdays, holidays, and special gatherings, bringing smiles to everyone's faces.
• Guaranteed Deliciousness: With simple ingredients and clear instructions, the recipe promises a moist, tender cake that delivers rich vanilla flavor every single time, ensuring consistent delectable results.
• Quick Preparation Delight: Minimal prep work and standard kitchen tools mean you can create a stunning homemade cake without spending hours in the kitchen or requiring specialized equipment.

What Goes Into Homemade Vanilla Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A staple ingredient that provides the cake's structure and base.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Baking Powder: Ensures the cake rises and becomes light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Butter: Contributes rich flavor and creates a smooth, moist cake texture.
• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb with slight tanginess.
• Vanilla: Provides a classic, warm flavor that defines the cake's taste.

• Whole Eggs, Egg Whites: Help bind the ingredients, provide structure, and contribute to the cake's rise and tenderness.

Baking Homemade Vanilla Cake Made Simple

Step 1: Prepare Baking Workspace

Get two 9-inch cake pans ready by lining their bottoms with parchment paper. Spray only the parchment surface with nonstick cooking spray, leaving the pan sides untouched.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab your stand mixer with paddle attachment. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Gently stir these ingredients until well blended.

Step 3: Incorporate Butter

Add butter to the dry mixture. Beat on medium speed for one minute until the texture becomes crumbly and resembles coarse sand.

Step 4: Add Liquid Ingredients

• Buttermilk
• Vanilla extract

Mix for one minute until everything combines. Increase speed to medium and beat for 30 seconds. Scrape down bowl sides to ensure even mixing.

Step 5: Blend Eggs

Reduce mixer speed again. Add whole eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully mixed. Then add egg whites and beat on medium-high for 30 seconds until batter becomes silky smooth.

Step 6: Fill Cake Pans

Distribute batter evenly between prepared pans. Use a spatula to smooth out the top surfaces, creating a level cake base.

Step 7: Bake Cake

Place pans in preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for golden brown edges and check doneness by inserting a toothpick into cake center – it should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool Cakes

Remove cakes from oven. Let them rest in pans for 5 minutes. Carefully transfer to wire rack and allow to cool completely before adding frosting.

Simple Tricks For Homemade Vanilla Cake

• Prep Pans Perfectly: Use parchment paper on cake pan bottoms to ensure easy cake removal and prevent sticking, which helps maintain the cake's beautiful shape.
• Beat Butter Smartly: Mix butter with dry ingredients until it reaches a coarse, sandy texture to create a more tender and lighter cake crumb.
• Control Mixing Speed: Gradually adjust mixer speed during different stages to prevent overmixing, which can lead to a dense and tough cake texture.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Insert a toothpick in the cake's center to confirm baking completion; it should come out clean without wet batter.
• Cool Cakes Correctly: Allow cakes to rest in pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack, preventing potential structural damage during removal.

Fun Flavors For Homemade Vanilla Cake

• Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Chocolate Vanilla Marble Cake: Divide the batter and mix cocoa powder into half, then swirl both batters together for a beautiful marbled effect.
• Almond Milk Vanilla Cake: Substitute buttermilk with unsweetened almond milk and add a touch of almond extract for a nutty flavor profile.
• Vegan Vanilla Cake: Use plant-based butter, replace eggs with mashed bananas or applesauce, and choose non-dairy milk to create a completely dairy-free version.

Great Pairings For Homemade Vanilla Cake

• Pair Refreshing Beverage: Sparkling lavender lemonade complements the vanilla cake's sweet profile, offering a light and zesty contrast that cleanses the palate with each sip.
• Create Complementary Frosting: Cream cheese frosting enhances the cake's soft texture, providing a tangy richness that balances the delicate vanilla flavor and adds creamy depth.
• Select Perfect Accompaniment: Fresh strawberries or raspberries alongside the cake create a vibrant fruity element, cutting through the sweetness and adding a bright, fresh dimension to each bite.
• Recommend Wine Pairing: Moscato d'Asti, a sweet and slightly sparkling white wine, harmonizes beautifully with the vanilla cake's subtle sweetness and light, airy texture.

How To Keep Homemade Vanilla Cake Fresh

• Store cooled cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or sealed container for up to 3 days. Keep at 40°F or below to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap completely cooled cake layers individually in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Cut cake into individual portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Store in freezer-safe container for easy single-serving defrosting.
• Bring refrigerated or frozen cake to room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. Never microwave to prevent drying out texture. Gently warm slices in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes if desired warm serving.

Homemade Vanilla Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: Approximately 40 to 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Creamy vanilla cake delights taste buds with its rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Layers of sweet comfort promise pure indulgence that will transport dessert enthusiasts to bakery bliss.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 3 ¾ cups (390 grams) cake flour
• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups (340 grams) buttermilk

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by lining bottom with parchment paper and lightly spraying only the parchment with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In stand mixer with paddle attachment, blend dry ingredients including flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3. Incorporate butter into dry mixture, mixing at medium speed until texture becomes sandy and crumbly.
4. Gradually introduce buttermilk and vanilla extract, mixing on low speed until ingredients are thoroughly integrated. Increase speed to medium and beat for 30 seconds, ensuring sides of bowl are scraped down.
5. Add whole eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Then fold in egg whites, beating at medium-high speed until batter transforms into smooth, silky consistency.
6. Distribute batter equally between prepared cake pans, carefully smoothing surface to create even layers.
7. Place pans in preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Cake is ready when edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into center emerges clean.
8. Remove cakes from oven and allow to rest in pans for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire cooling rack and let cool completely before applying frosting.

Notes

• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for even mixing and optimal cake texture.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake; mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Use high-quality vanilla extract for a rich, authentic flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

• Prep Time: Approximately 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 to 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 333
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 143 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg