vanilla cake recipe

Vanilla Cake Recipe

Few desserts evoke comfort and celebration quite like a classic vanilla cake. Its delicate sweetness, soft texture, and light crumb make it a favorite for birthdays, holidays, or simply an afternoon treat. This recipe focuses on creating a moist, tender cake with a balanced flavor that isn’t overly sweet, allowing you to pair it with any frosting or filling you like. By following a few simple steps and using staple ingredients found in most kitchens, you can achieve a homemade cake that tastes impressive while being surprisingly easy to make. From mixing to baking and cooling, every step ensures a cake that slices beautifully and melts in your mouth.

eggless vanilla cake recipe
eggless vanilla cake recipe

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray
  • 2 1⁄3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups white sugar
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch cake pan with cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix by hand or beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the batter is smooth and uniform.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  5. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool the cake on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to loosen, then invert carefully onto the rack and let it cool completely before slicing.

Serving and Layering Tips

  • To create a layered cake, use a long serrated knife to slice the cooled cake horizontally. Fill the layers with frosting, whipped cream, or jam, then replace the top layer and frost the entire cake.
  • For a taller cake or multi-tiered dessert, triple the recipe and bake in three 8-inch pans. Trim domed tops to create even layers, then assemble with ½ to 1 cup of frosting or filling between each layer.
fluffy vanilla cake recipe
fluffy vanilla cake recipe

Prep and Bake Times

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45–50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Servings: 10