Light Vanilla Cake Recipe

Dreamy Moist Vanilla Cake Recipe That’s Pure Heaven

Baking a delectable moist vanilla cake brings pure joy to the kitchen.

This classic vanilla cake recipe promises a tender, soft crumb that melts in your mouth.

Crafted with simple ingredients, the cake delivers rich, comforting flavors that everyone adores.

Each bite reveals a perfect balance of sweetness and delicate vanilla notes.

The recipe works magic for birthdays, celebrations, or just because you deserve a delightful treat.

Topped with creamy frosting or enjoyed plain, this cake stands as a crowd-pleasing dessert that sparks smiles around the table.

Prepare to delight your taste buds with this irresistible homemade cake that’s sure to become a cherished favorite.

Ingredients for Vanilla Cake

For Wet Ingredients:
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender cake texture; choose high-quality butter at room temperature for best results.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure; ensure they are fresh and at room temperature for smooth mixing.
  • Vanilla Extract: Delivers deep, warm flavor; opt for pure vanilla extract over imitation for authentic taste.
  • Whole Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a soft crumb; use fresh, full-fat milk for best texture.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • Cake Flour: Creates a lighter, more delicate cake texture; sift to remove lumps and ensure even distribution.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender cake structure; make sure it's free from clumps.
  • Baking Powder: Provides lift and helps cake rise evenly; check expiration date for maximum effectiveness.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness; use fine table salt for even distribution.
For Pan Preparation:
  • Cooking Spray or Butter: Prevents cake from sticking; ensure complete coverage of pan surfaces for easy removal.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Used for dusting pan to help cake release smoothly; tap out excess flour to avoid a dry exterior.

Tools for Baking Vanilla Cake

  • Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing ingredients smoothly.
  • Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for combining wet and dry ingredients separately.
  • Cake Pans (9-inch round or 9×13-inch rectangular): Critical for baking the cake in the right shape and size.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients evenly.
  • Spatula: Helps smooth batter in pans and scrape sides of bowls.
  • Toothpick: Crucial for checking cake doneness.
  • Wire Rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly without getting soggy.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

How to Make an Vanilla Cake

  • Warm Up Your Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and give your baking pan a quick butter and flour massage to prevent sticking.

  • Whip Up Butter and Sugar

Grab your mixer and blend butter and sugar until they transform into a cloud-like, fluffy dream that looks like soft sunshine.

  • Dance with Eggs and Vanilla

Crack eggs one by one into your mixture, giving each a good beating. Splash in vanilla for that classic sweet whisper of flavor.

  • Marry Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, gently combine flour, baking powder, and salt with a soft whisk, creating a powdery symphony.

  • Create Cake Magic

Slowly fold dry ingredients and milk into your butter mixture, alternating between the two. Stir with love, but don’t go crazy – just enough to make everything friends.

  • Pour and Spread

Spread your silky batter evenly into the pan, smoothing the top like you’re tucking a cake into bed.

  • Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and let it transform for 25-30 minutes. Your cake is done when a toothpick comes out clean and golden.

  • Cool and Celebrate

Let the cake rest in the pan for a quick 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Your delicious creation is ready to be devoured!

Tips for Vanilla Cake Variations

  • Vanilla Cloud Trick: Let butter and eggs reach room temperature before mixing to ensure a supremely smooth, light cake texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Flour Power: Sift cake flour before measuring to prevent clumping and create an ultra-tender crumb that's light as air.
  • Dairy-Free Delight: Swap milk with unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk for a lactose-free version that doesn't compromise on rich, creamy flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace cake flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain the cake's soft, delicate structure.

Serving Suggestions for Vanilla Cake

  • Party Platter Perfection: Create a stunning dessert display by arranging cake slices on a decorative platter with fresh berries, mint leaves, and a light dusting of powdered sugar.
  • Decadent Dessert Combo: Pair warm cake slices with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or freshly whipped cream for an indulgent treat that elevates the classic vanilla flavor.
  • Afternoon Tea Delight: Serve thin slices alongside hot tea or coffee, making it a perfect companion for a relaxed mid-afternoon break with friends or family.
  • Celebration Centerpiece: Transform the cake into a festive birthday or special occasion dessert by adding colorful sprinkles, candles, or a simple buttercream frosting to create a memorable centerpiece.

How to Store Vanilla Cake Properly

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store your vanilla cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other food odors.
  • Freezing Magic Technique: Wrap individual cake slices or entire cake layers in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. These delightful treats can remain frozen for 2-3 months without losing their delicious texture and flavor.
  • Room Temperature Freshness Plan: Keep unfrosted cake layers at room temperature on a cake stand with a protective dome for 2-3 days. Place a clean kitchen towel over the cake to prevent dust and maintain softness.
  • Quick Slice Protection Method: When storing frosted cake, place toothpicks around the top and loosely tent with plastic wrap to prevent the covering from touching the delicate frosting. This trick keeps your cake looking picture-perfect and prevents smudging.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 321 kcal

Servings: 12

Print
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Light Vanilla Cake Recipe

Moist Vanilla Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Silky smooth easy vanilla cake delights dessert enthusiasts with classic American baking charm. Butter, sugar, and vanilla blend seamlessly to create a tender crumb you’ll savor with pure comfort.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, at room temperature
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 ¾ tsp baking powder
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 ¾ cups (330 g) cake flour

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly grease two 9-inch circular pans or one 9×13-inch rectangular pan, dusting with flour to prevent adhesion.
  2. Creaming Process: Employ electric mixer to whip softened butter and sugar into a light, voluminous mixture for 4-5 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  3. Liquid Integration: Fold in eggs one at a time, ensuring complete incorporation after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract, blending thoroughly into the creamy base.
  4. Dry Ingredient Composition: Sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt, creating a uniform dry mixture that will provide structure to the cake.
  5. Batter Development: Gradually combine dry ingredients with butter mixture, alternating with milk. Fold gently to maintain batter’s delicate consistency, starting and ending with dry ingredients to prevent overmixing.
  6. Baking Preparation: Evenly distribute batter into prepared pans, smoothing the surface with a spatula to ensure consistent depth and optimal baking results.
  7. Baking and Verification: Bake for 25-30 minutes, testing doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and free of raw batter residue.
  8. Cooling and Finishing: Remove from oven and allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling before decorating or serving.

Notes

  • Select Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature for smoother blending and optimal cake texture, preventing lumpy batter and promoting even mixing.
  • Avoid Overmixing Batter: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stopping precisely when ingredients combine to prevent tough, dense cake from developing gluten through excessive stirring.
  • Check Oven Calibration: Use an oven thermometer to verify actual temperature matches 350F setting, preventing uneven baking or potential burning due to inaccurate heat distribution.
  • Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version, or replace dairy milk with almond/oat milk for lactose-intolerant individuals without compromising cake’s delicate structure.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 274
  • Sugar: 23 g
  • Sodium: 118 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 3.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Jenna Hartley

Jenna Hartley

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

  • Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
  • Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
  • Food styling and photography for digital platforms.​

Education

Box Hill Institute, Melbourne

  • Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
  • Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.

William Angliss Institute, Melbourne

  • Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
  • Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.

Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes. 

Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.

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