Learn how to make a yummy homemade vanilla cake from scratch. If you love vanilla cake, you have got to give this vanilla cake recipe a try!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened 170g
- 1 3/4 cup of white granulated sugar 350g
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp. of vanilla extract 15mL
- 1/2 tsp. of salt 2g
- 2 1/2 tsp. of baking powder 12g
- 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose or cake flour 300g
- 1 1/4 cups of milk I like to use whole milk or buttermilk 296mL
Frosting
- 1 cup butter, softened 227g
- 2 tsp vanilla extract 10ml
- 4 cups confectioner's sugar/powdered sugar 500g
- 2 – 3 tbsp milk 30 to 45ml
Instructions
- Remove your milk and eggs and butter about 30 minutes before you want to make the cake, so they can come to room temp.
- Grease and flour your cake pans, and cut out a circle piece of parchment paper to go inside on the bottom of each pan.
- Preheat oven to 350 F/176 C with the main rack in the middle position.
- Mix together the sugar and the butter on high for 2 to 3 minutes until pale. Then add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until just combined.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Add half of the milk to the batter and about 1 cup of the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Then add the rest of the milk and another cup of flour mixture and mix until just combined.
- Put the mixer away and fold/stir in the rest of the flour mixture until just combined. The vanilla cake batter is ready to go.
- Now pour half of the batter in one pan and the other half in the other pan. You can use a measuring cup if you like to make it more precise, or just eyeball it.
- Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle.
- Allow cake layers to cool about 10 minutes in pans then remove them from the pans and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Wrap cake layers in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This step is optional.
Frosting
- Cream the butter with the vanilla in a large bowl with a hand mixer, stand mixer, or sturdy whisk.
- Slowly mix in the powdered sugar until it is combined. The result will be a very thick frosting.
- Thin the frosting out by adding a little bit of milk at a time until you get your desired thickness.
Decorate the Cake
- Place a dollop of frosting in the middle of your rotating cake pedestal or just use a plate.
- Next, take one layer of cake and remove the parchment paper from the bottom, then place it down on the cake pedestal.
- Add a generous amount of frosting to the top and spread it out. Then repeat with the next layer of cake. Make sure to add frosting to the sides.
- Smooth out the frosting with a spatula. An offset cake spatula works great.
- Use a damp paper towel and wipe around the bottom of the cake to clean it up and make it more presentable.
- Add some sprinkles on the top, or cake crumbs on the sides, oreo crumbs, frosting designs, flowers, fondant creations, candles, etc.! Enjoy!