Best Vanilla Cake Recipe

This is my best vanilla cake recipe. A classic butter cake but with Japanese techniques applied for the most plush, soft and moist yellow cake like you’ve never had before. This professional bakery style cake stays fresh and moist for 4 days — that’s unheard of! Use the same batter for perfect Vanilla Cupcakes.

best vanilla cake recipe

My best Vanilla Cake – stays moist 4 days!

best vanilla cake recipe

Recipe video above. Your classic vanilla butter cake but with Japanese techniques applied for the most plush, soft and moist yellow cake like you’ve never had before. This professional bakery style cake stays fresh and moist for 4 days — that’s unheard of! This is THE Vanilla Cake recipe for all occasions — from layer cakes to birthday cakes, Victoria Sponge to strawberry shortcake … the possibilities are endless…..Frosting – classic vanilla buttercream provided, see here for my secret Less-Sweet Fluffy Frosting. Different pan sizes – Note 9. Cupcakes – see Vanilla Cupcakes recipe. Metric/weights – click button above ingredients. Sweetness – Note 11. Cake flour – no need, better with plain flour. Guarantee success – read top 5 points in Notes below. For chocolate cake – see this recipe.

Prep: 20min

Yield: 10

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 339 kcal, Carbohydrate 51 g, Protein 6 g, Fat 13 g, Saturated Fat 7 g, Cholesterol 91 mg, Sodium 97 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 31 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups plain / all purpose flour ((cake flour OK too, Note 1))
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 4 large eggs ((50 – 55g / 2 oz each), at room temp (Note 3))
  • 1 1/2 cups caster / superfine sugar ((granulated/regular ok too, Note 2))
  • 115g / 1/2 cup unsalted butter (, cut into 1.5cm / 1/2” cubes (or so))
  • 1 cup milk (, full fat (Note 5))
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract (, the best you can afford (Note 6))
  • 3 tsp vegetable or canola oil ((Note 7))
  • 225g / 2 sticks unsalted butter (, softened)
  • 500g / 1 lb soft icing sugar / powdered sugar (, SIFTED)
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 – 4 tbsp milk (, to adjust thickeness)

Instruction:

  1. Grease 2 x 20cm / 8” cake pans with butter, then line with parchment / baking paper. (Note 9 more pan sizes) Best to use cake pan without loose base, if you can.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
  3. Then beat for 7 minutes on speed 8, or until tripled in volume and white.
  4. Scrape and final mix: Scrape down sides and base of bowl. Beat on Speed 1 for 10 seconds – batter should now be smooth and pourable.
  5. Bake 30 minutes or until golden and toothpick inserted into centre comes out clean.
  6. Frost with frosting of choice, or cream and fresh berries or jam. See list of ideas in post!
  7. Add vanilla and milk, then beat for a further 30 seconds. Use milk only if needed to make it lovely and soft but still holds it’s form (eg for piping). Use immediately. (If you make ahead, refrigerate then beat to re-fluff).

The Best Vanilla Cake Recipe

FAQ

Which vanilla cake is the best?

Top 10 Most Popular Cakes
  • Funfetti cake. …
  • Pineapple Upside Down cake. …
  • Lemon Cake. …
  • Black Forest Cake. …
  • Cheesecake. …
  • Vanilla Cake. …
  • Red Velvet Cake. The second most popular cake is the gorgeous-looking red velvet cake. …
  • Chocolate Cake. The chocolate cake very obviously secures the first rank.

What is the secret to a good cake?

Learn How to Bake the Perfect Cake:
  • Follow the Recipe. This sounds obvious, right? …
  • Room Temperature. …
  • Measure Properly. …
  • Cake Flour. …
  • Don’t Over-mix, Don’t Under-mix. …
  • Use Parchment Paper Rounds. …
  • Don’t Open the Oven. …
  • Bounce-Back Test.

How do you increase the vanilla flavor of a cake?

As we researched vanilla for our tasting, manufacturers told us that to maximize flavor, the extract should be added while creaming the butter and sugar for cakes and cookies. Their theory: If you add vanilla with butter, much of its flavor gets captured by the butterfat instead of evaporating during baking.

What is the difference between white wedding cake and vanilla cake?

In brief: White cakes only uses the egg white and never the egg yolks while the vanilla cakes uses the entire egg and added vanilla extracts. Since it has no egg yolks, white cakes tastes a little less sweet if you compare it to the taste of vanilla cakes which uses the egg in it entirety.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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