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    Home » Recipes » Cakes + Cupcakes

    Vanilla Cake Recipe

    Published: May 26, 2019 by Melissa Stadler · This post may contain affiliate links · 49 Comments

    100112 shares
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    Vanilla Cake Recipe. The best homemade vanilla cake recipe with vanilla bean buttercream frosting. www.modernhoney.com #vanillacake #cake #cakerecipe #vanillacakerecipe

    Vanilla Cake Recipe

    The best homemade vanilla cake recipe with vanilla bean buttercream frosting. 

    I can't believe I haven't shared my favorite vanilla cake recipe on Modern Honey yet! This is a classic vanilla cake with homemade vanilla buttercream frosting. Don't underestimate vanilla cake. Some may call it plain or boring but it is definitely a classic and when done right...it is perfection.

    Vanilla Cake Recipe. The best homemade vanilla cake recipe with vanilla bean buttercream frosting. www.modernhoney.com #vanillacake #cake #cakerecipe #vanillacakerecipe

    I wanted to create a moist and flavorful vanilla cake recipe because so many times they end up dry and flavorless. This is achieved by using a mix of fats -- butter, a touch of oil, and buttermilk. The buttermilk is a real game changer as it creates the moist texture. Butter makes everything better and it is no exception with this cake -- it brings the flavor!

    Vanilla Cake Recipe. The best homemade vanilla cake recipe with vanilla bean buttercream frosting. www.modernhoney.com #vanillacake #cake #cakerecipe #vanillacakerecipe

    I also love to use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour as it contains less gluten and makes this homemade vanilla cake more tender.

    The vanilla buttercream frosting is made with softened butter, a touch of cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla beans. I use vanilla bean paste in the frosting because it has a deep vanilla flavor.

    Vanilla Cake Recipe. The best homemade vanilla cake recipe with vanilla bean buttercream frosting. www.modernhoney.com #vanillacake #cake #cakerecipe #vanillacakerecipe

    How to make the Best Vanilla Cake Recipe:

    • Use both Egg Whites and Whole Eggs. It creates the perfect fluffy texture. I tried using only egg whites and the texture was very similar to angel food cake. Adding one egg yolk added the right amount of fat and created an extra moist texture.
    • Use Cake Flour. Cake flour contains 7-8% gluten while All-Purpose Flour contains 10-12%.  When cake flour is used in cakes, it creates a more tender texture.
    • Use Baking Powder. Since there is only sugar in this cake, I use baking powder and a lot of it. This helps the cake to rise and give it loft.
    • Add the Butter, in cubes, to the Flour. This recipe doesn’t call for the typical cream butter and sugar together. The butter is added to the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt mixture and beat just until coarse crumbs are formed.
    • Use Buttermilk. It creates a perfectly moist and tender texture.
    • Bake just until the cake tester comes clean.  Use two 9-inch pans or three 8-inch pans. The cooking time will depend on the depth of the cake batter. The best way to figure out if the cake is baked through enough is to place a cake tester in the center of the cake.
    Vanilla Cake Recipe. The best homemade vanilla cake recipe with vanilla bean buttercream frosting. www.modernhoney.com #vanillacake #cake #cakerecipe #vanillacakerecipe

    What are some cake baking essentials?

    8-inch cake pans
    Angled spatula
    Kitchenaid Mixer

    Vanilla Cake Recipe. The best homemade vanilla cake recipe with vanilla bean buttercream frosting. www.modernhoney.com #vanillacake #cake #cakerecipe #vanillacakerecipe

    Best Homemade Cake Recipes:

    Yellow Cake with Milk Chocolate Frosting
    Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake
    Lemon Olive Oil Cake
    Coconut Cake

    Vanilla Cake Recipe. The best homemade vanilla cake recipe with vanilla bean buttercream frosting. www.modernhoney.com #vanillacake #cake #cakerecipe #vanillacakerecipe

    Vanilla Cake Recipe. The best homemade vanilla cake recipe with vanilla bean buttercream frosting. www.modernhoney.com #vanillacake #cake #cakerecipe #vanillacakerecipe

    Vanilla Cake Recipe

    Modern Honey - www.modernhoney.com
    Vanilla Cake Recipe. The best homemade vanilla cake recipe with vanilla bean buttercream frosting. 
    4.85 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 22 mins
    Total Time 32 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 large Eggs
    • 3 large Egg Whites
    • 1 cup Buttermilk
    • 2 Tablespoons Oil
    • 2 teaspoons Vanilla
    • 1 ½ cups Sugar
    • 2 ¼ cups Cake Flour
    • 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
    • ¾ teaspoon Salt
    • 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened and cut into cubes)

    Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:

    • 1 cup Butter (softened)
    • 4 ounces Cream Cheese (softened)
    • 4 cups Powdered Sugar
    • 2 teaspoons Vanilla or Vanilla Bean Paste
    • 1 Tablespoon Cream or Milk (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
    • In a stand mixer, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
    • Beat the butter into the flour mixture, one cube at a time. Continue to beat until it resembles coarse crumbs.
    • Add the ½ of the egg-milk mixture and beat the batter is light and fluffy. Add remaining egg-milk mixture and mix just until combined.
    • Lightly spray two 8-inch or 9-inch cake pans with non-stick cooking spray. Pour batter evenly between the cake pans. Bake for 20-24 minutes, depending on the depth of cake pans. Remove cakes from oven when toothpick or cake tester comes out clean. Let cool before removing from pans.

    Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:

    • In mixing bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese for 4 minutes.
    • Add powdered sugar and beat for 2 more minutes. Add vanilla and milk (if needed).
    • Once the cake layers have cooled, frost with vanilla buttercream frosting. 
    Keyword vanilla cake recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tricia

      February 18, 2023 at 7:40 am

      Have you used this recipe for cupcakes???

      Reply
    2. Kat

      February 17, 2023 at 7:53 pm

      So good! I personally love chocolate cake but I made this for my husband and it was really good! Melts in your mouth!!!!! Always love cream cheese frosting, too!

      Reply
    3. Victoria Swanson

      February 09, 2023 at 5:03 am

      5 stars
      I made this as a gift for my friend’s birthday, she loves vanilla cake…. I actually made 2 cakes and kept one for myself…. I loved it, I’m more of a chocolate cake lover myself, but this cake was delicious…

      Reply
    4. Jessica

      January 10, 2023 at 2:45 pm

      Hi! Do the refrigerated ingredients need to be at room temperature?

      Reply
    5. Lisa

      December 14, 2022 at 5:14 pm

      Recipe says Cream 'OR' Milk

      Reply
    6. Rachael

      November 26, 2022 at 10:58 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious and moist… just how I hoped it would turn out. My teen daughter and I made it together and we both give it a thumbs up.

      Reply
    7. Lisa

      October 29, 2022 at 3:51 pm

      5 stars
      Had to adjust time for cupcakes. Overcooked first time around. Turned out great 2nd time

      Reply
    8. Amanda

      June 02, 2022 at 4:27 pm

      Hi, so I'm going to make my first ever birthday cake for my sons 3rd Birthday party. I am doing 2 tier 9 inch and 2 tier 12inch. What would be the recipe for 2 12 inch batter? Thank you!

      Reply
    9. Faith

      May 24, 2022 at 3:06 pm

      5 stars
      Never using another recipe for vanilla cake! Amazing recipe!

      Reply
    10. Rosie

      March 12, 2022 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      Great little cake - I loved it

      Reply
    11. Bev

      March 05, 2022 at 7:10 pm

      I have been looking for a white cake recipe for years. I have finally found it. This was the best white cake I have ever made

      Reply
      • Phaedra

        May 18, 2022 at 5:56 pm

        5 stars
        After trying many vanilla cake recipes, this was a hit. I used cupcake tins rather than cake plans and followed the recipe exactly. The cake was super moist and tender. This is my new go to for vanilla cake. So good!

        Reply
      • Tori

        October 10, 2022 at 6:01 pm

        Super amazing recipe really moist and soft but is there any way I can reduce the amount of sugar in this recipe?

        Reply
    12. Sierra Peterson

      March 04, 2022 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! I will never buy a boxed cake mix again, this recipe is so easy to make and SO delicious!!

      Reply
    13. Promise

      February 01, 2022 at 12:19 am

      Soft, fluffy and delicious and very easy instructions

      Reply
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    Melissa Stadler Modern Honey

    Hi, I'm Melissa Stadler! I am an Award-Winning Recipe Creator. Cover of Food Network Magazine. Two-Time Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalist. I am passionate about sharing the best recipes so you have success in the kitchen!

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