Basic Vanilla Cake
This made from scratch Basic Vanilla Cake recipe is one that must be added to your repertoire. It’s light, tender, and full of vanilla flavor. The buttery, moist texture makes it a great cake for all occasions.
Vanilla Cake Recipe
I’ve been on the hunt for a great vanilla cake recipe that I can use over and over again. I tried many and never found one that was wonderful enough to claim a spot on my blog until now.
If you like this version, you may also want to try my moist white cake that uses only egg whites instead of whole eggs.
This is the same recipe I used in my “how to make the perfect cake” post. Make sure you follow all the tips I give you in that post to ensure great results every time.
This easy vanilla cake recipe uses the 1-2-3-4 method which is from the 19th century. It’s an easy method to remember the ratio of ingredients – 1 cup of butter, 2 cups of sugar, 3 cups of flour, and 4 eggs.
I’ve adjusted these quantities slightly to achieve the texture I was looking for. I used half a cup less sugar and a fourth cup less flour. This gave me a lighter cake that isn’t overly sweet.
The recipe starts by creaming the butter and sugar together and then adding the eggs. Once that is mixed together well, the flour is added followed by the milk.
The process is easy to remember which makes this simple vanilla cake easy to make.
Pair this vanilla cake with a basic vanilla buttercream frosting for a simply perfect dessert. I’m certain you are going to agree that this is the best vanilla cake recipe!
Make ahead tips for homemade vanilla cake
This easy vanilla cake recipe can be made ahead! Wrap baked and cooled cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. Assemble and frost the cake within 2 days.
Once the cake has been assembled, cover it and keep it stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Bring it to room temperature just before serving.
The frosted cake can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature just before serving.
Create your own perfect cake
Use this recipe as a base for your own favorite cake recipes from scratch.
Turn it into a birthday cake.
Sandwich the layers with pineapple curd in between or slather the entire cake with cookie butter frosting.
Swap the vanilla extract for almond or any other fun flavor.
Fold fresh berries into the batter before baking for a delicious fruity cake.
The possibilities are endless!!
The great thing about this vanilla cake is it can be made in two 9-inch pans, three 8-inch pans, or two 12-cup muffin pans.
It’s versatile and pairs wonderfully with a wide range of fillings and frostings. The batter can even be enhanced with other extract flavors, like almond!
Now you should have a good understanding of how to make a vanilla cake from scratch. Whip up this cake the next time you have a craving and I promise you won’t be disappointed!
How to make vanilla cake FAQ’s
Can I bake this cake in 3 8-inch round pans instead of 2 9-inch pans?
Yes, you certainly can. The recipe yields enough batter to fill 2 9-inch pans, 3 8-inch pans, or 24 muffin cups. The bake time will vary slightly so start checking the cakes about 5-7 minutes sooner than the time listed in the recipe.
Can I double or triple the cake recipe?
That should work just fine as long as you are using weight measurements. Click on the “Metric” tab directly under the ingredients label in the recipe. This will show you the weight measurements.
How do I adjust the recipe for it to work at high elevation?
I have zero experience baking at high altitudes so I don’t feel comfortable giving advice for this. However, a reader who lives 5,000 feet above sea level made the following changes:
  • 3 cups sifted cake flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1-1/4 cups whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • All the other ingredients listed in the recipe stayed at the same amounts.
  • Baked in 2 8-inch round cake pans at 375°F for 25 minutes.
She said the cake was delicious and has already been requested to be made again.
My cake came out a bit on the dry side, any suggestions?
First, make sure you’ve followed all my tips for how to make the perfect cake. Second, keep a close eye on it during baking. Check it with a wooden toothpick.
If the toothpick comes out with wet batter on it, it needs more baking time.
If the toothpick comes out with a few dry crumbs, it is perfectly baked and needs to be removed from the oven.
If the toothpick comes out with no dry crumbs at all (a completely clean toothpick), it has baked too long and will result in a dry cake.
Start checking the cake about 5-7 minutes before the suggested bake time.
Basic Vanilla Cake
This made from scratch Basic Vanilla Cake Recipe is one that must be added to your repertoire. It’s light, tender, and full of vanilla flavor. The buttery, moist texture makes it a great cake for all occasions.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword cake, vanilla cake
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Yields 12 servings
Calories 360 kcal
Author Jen Sobjack

Ingredients
US Cups - Metric
  • 1 cup unsalted buttersoftened
  • 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 and 3/4 cups cake flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup whole milk buttermilk can also be used
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour 2 9-inch round cake pans; set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.
  3. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir with a whisk and add it to the butter mixture alternately with the milk, beating well after each addition. 
  4. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Take care to not over-bake. Check the cake at 15 minutes to see how it is doing and judge the timing from there.
  5. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on a wire rack. Fill and frost the cake with your favorite frosting.
  6. Make ahead tip
  7. Wrap baked and cooled cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. Assemble and frost the cake within 2 days.
  8. Or layers can be triple wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for up to 2 weeks. Leave wrapped and set on the counter to thaw slightly before use.
  9. Once the cake has been assembled, cover it and keep it stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Bring it to room temperature just before serving.
  10. The frosted cake can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature just before serving.
Recipe Notes
1. Make sure to use room temperature ingredients. Cold eggs will be difficult to thoroughly mix in and will cause the cake to be dense.
2. Measure the flour by lightly spooning it into the measuring cup then level the cup with the back of a knife. Or use the weight measurement listed in the ingredients under the "metric" tab.
3. If you don't have cake flour, you can make Homemade Cake Flour.
4. Start checking the cake 5-7 minutes sooner than the bake time listed.
If the toothpick comes out with wet batter on it, it needs more baking time.
If the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs on it, it’s perfectly baked and needs to be removed from the oven.
If the toothpick comes out completely clean, I’m sorry to say, you’ve over baked the cake and it will be dry.

Baking Variations:
Bake the cake in 3 8-inch round pans for 15-25 minutes, 2 12-cup muffin pans for 15-18 minutes, or a 9x13-inch pan for 30-35 minutes. If you wish to make changes other than these, please consult this guide for how to convert pan sizes.
You can change the flavor of the cake by adding your favorite extract or essence.
This cake can be transformed into a Moist White Cake by using egg whites instead of whole eggs.

Adapted from Bigger Bolder Baking.