Go Back
A close-up of a moist slice of vanilla cake with creamy white frosting, part of the best cake recipes.

Simple Vanilla Cake

This recipe yields a basic, moist vanilla cake suitable for layering or serving plain.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 people
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 3 cups All-purpose flour Sifted
  • 1.5 cups Granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp Baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp Salt
Wet Ingredients
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter Softened
  • 4 Large eggs
  • 1 cup Milk Whole milk recommended
  • 2 tsp Vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Cake Pans (9-inch)

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract together.
  5. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on medium speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
  7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Notes

For a richer flavor, you can substitute buttermilk for regular milk.