Heavenly Moist Vanilla Cake Recipe: Fluffy Dessert Magic

Baking a delectable vanilla cake with unparalleled moist vanilla cake texture takes skill and a dash of love.

Every home baker dreams of creating a dessert that melts in your mouth and sparks joy at the table.

This classic recipe brings together simple ingredients that blend into a heavenly treat.

The secret lies in carefully measured components and precise mixing techniques.

Butter, sugar, and eggs form the rich foundation of this delightful dessert.

Vanilla extract adds depth and warmth to every tender crumb.

Prepare to indulge in a slice of pure comfort that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 12

What You’ll Need for the Best Vanilla Cake Recipe

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of your cake, choose unbleached flour for a more natural taste and better texture.
• Baking Powder: Your secret weapon for a light and fluffy cake, ensuring perfect rise and soft crumb.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender cake texture, room temperature works best.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a golden, delicate crust.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and adds structure, use fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth, opt for pure vanilla extract for the most authentic flavor.
• Whole Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth, tender cake crumb.

• Powdered Sugar: Perfect for dusting or creating a simple glaze, adds a delicate sweetness.

Tools That Help Bake a Moist, Classic Vanilla Cake

• 9-inch round cake pans: Essential for baking the cake layers evenly.
• Parchment paper: Helps prevent cake from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Perfect for creating a smooth, well-mixed batter.
• Large mixing bowls: Great for combining dry and wet ingredients separately.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements are key to a perfect cake.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients and remove any lumps.
• Rubber spatula: Helps scrape down bowl sides and fold ingredients gently.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Offset spatula: Ideal for smooth frosting and decorating the cake.

How to Bake the Best Vanilla Cake With No Fuss

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven dial to a toasty 350°F and let it start heating while you prepare the magic.

• Prep Your Baking Vessels

Grab your round cake pans and give them a loving coat of butter or cooking spray. Dust with a light sprinkle of flour or line with parchment paper to ensure your cake slides out like a dream.

• Mix the Dry Ingredients

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. This helps break up any lumps and creates a smooth, silky base for your cake.

• Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate bowl, whip butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy, pale cloud. Beat until the mixture looks light and airy, which takes about 3-4 minutes.

• Add Eggs and Vanilla

Drop in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each. Pour in vanilla extract and blend until everything looks perfectly combined.

• Combine Wet and Dry

Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Stir just until everything is incorporated – don’t overmix or your cake might become tough.

• Pour and Bake

Divide batter evenly between your prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula and slide into the preheated oven.

• Check for Doneness

Bake for 25-30 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops are golden and springy.

• Cool and Celebrate

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before frosting or decorating.

Flavor Ideas to Add a Personal Touch

• Butter Temperature Trick: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, even blending and perfect cake texture.
• Flour Sifting Technique: Sift dry ingredients to remove lumps and create a lighter, more delicate cake crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, adding 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to help maintain the cake's structure and softness.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace butter with equal amounts of neutral vegetable oil or coconut oil, and use almond or oat milk instead of regular milk for a compassionate alternative.
• Flavor Boosters: Experiment with adding orange zest, almond extract, or a splash of bourbon vanilla to elevate the classic vanilla cake's depth and complexity.

Serve for Birthdays, Weddings, or Everyday Joy

• Sweet Slice of Heaven: Serve this velvety vanilla cake on elegant dessert plates with delicate gold trims for a sophisticated presentation.
• Fruity Flavor Boost: Top each slice with fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries, creating a vibrant and delicious contrast to the creamy cake.
• Decadent Drizzle Magic: Enhance the cake's richness by drizzling warm caramel sauce or chocolate ganache over each slice, transforming it into an irresistible dessert that will make everyone's taste buds dance.
• Creamy Companion: Pair each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to add extra indulgence and create a perfectly balanced dessert experience.

Store With Care So It’s Just as Good Tomorrow

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover vanilla cake slices in an airtight container, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days inside the refrigerator. Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap before placing them in the container to prevent moisture loss.
• Freezing Magic: Freeze whole cake or individual slices by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap, then adding a layer of aluminum foil. Frozen cake maintains quality for up to 2 months when sealed properly. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Counter Life Hack: Room temperature cake stays delicious for 1-2 days when covered with a cake dome or plastic wrap. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain its soft texture and flavor.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare cake layers in advance and store them wrapped in plastic at room temperature for 24 hours or refrigerate for up to 3 days. This technique helps bakers manage time and reduce day-of baking stress.

Moist Vanilla Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful vanilla cake masterpiece brings pure bliss to dessert tables across kitchens. Home bakers can easily craft this classic treat with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups (595 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) whole milk (room temperature)
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) sour cream (optional)
• 4 cups (454 grams) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream or milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare cake pans by greasing with butter, flouring, or lining with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Mixing Base: Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light, fluffy, and pale yellow, creating a smooth foundational mixture.
3. Egg Integration: Incorporate eggs individually, blending thoroughly after each addition to maintain a silky, uniform batter consistency.
4. Dry Ingredient Combination: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution throughout the mixture.
5. Liquid Incorporation: Gradually blend dry ingredients and milk into the butter mixture using low-speed mixing, alternating between the two to preserve a tender cake texture.
6. Flavor Enhancement: Gently fold in pure vanilla extract, stirring minimally to maintain the delicate aromatic profile.
7. Pan Filling: Distribute batter evenly between prepared cake pans, smoothing the surface with a spatula to create uniform layers.
8. Baking Process: Place pans centrally in the preheated oven, baking for 25-30 minutes until the surface turns golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. Cooling Technique: Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling before further preparation or frosting.

Notes

• Optimize Ingredient Temperature: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more evenly blended batter that rises perfectly and prevents potential lumping.
• Prevent Overmixing: Mix ingredients gently and only until combined, stopping when the batter looks smooth to maintain the cake’s delicate, tender crumb and avoid developing tough gluten structures.
• Master Vanilla Quality: Use pure, high-grade vanilla extract for an authentic, rich flavor that elevates the entire cake’s taste profile, avoiding artificial substitutes that can taste flat or chemical-like.
• Achieve Perfect Moisture: Check cake doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should come out clean with minimal to no batter clinging, indicating a perfectly baked, moist vanilla cake without dryness.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 366
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 190 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg