Best Vanilla Cake Recipe {From Scratch}

Classic, old fashioned, easy vanilla cake recipe, homemade from scratch with simple ingredients. The key ingredient is buttermilk that creates the best soft and moist texture. Paired with a delicious fluffy vanilla frosting.

Since my Best Vanilla Cupcakes are so popular with family and friends, I knew I had to share this traditional cake recipe with you too. This recipe never fails and uses the most basic ingredients that I bet you already have in your pantry. Check out my other classic recipes for the Best Chocolate Cupcakes and Yellow Cupcakes (With Chocolate Frosting).

Jump to:

• Key ingredients
• Variations
• How to make best vanilla cake recipe from scratch?
• Tips and techniques
• Recipe FAQs
• Storage
• More classic cake recipes
• Recipe

Key ingredients

• Butter- You'll want to make sure it is softened and unsalted.
• Oil- Helps to make a moist cake that isn't too dense.
• Granulated sugar- Your every day table sugar is actually best.
• Flour- Regular all-purpose flour works great for this recipe.
• Vanilla extract- Pairs well with the other flavors.
• Eggs- Be sure they are large and at room temperature.
• Buttermilk- You can use store bought or make your own.
• Leavening agents- This recipe requires both, baking powder and baking soda.
• Buttercream frosting- Classic American frosting that goes well with just about anything.
• Sprinkles- I like to use white edible pearls. They are simple but so elegant.

Variations

• Try different extracts- Like maple, almond, or lemon.
• Use a zests- Such as lemon, lime, or orange for a new flavor profile.
• Add coloring for different occasions- Like I did with these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies, Pink Velvet Cake (With Strawberries), or this Easy Naked Cake shown in my tutorial. You can make any season, holiday, or event really pop with color.
• Add more layers– Double the recipe and make a taller 4 layer cake.
• Decoration– You can keep it simple like I did and just do white frosting swirls and white sprinkles (edible pearls). Make a great addition to a bridal party.
• Top it off with various options- Such as chocolate shavings, berries, shredded coconut, sprinkles, crushed candy bars, or graham cracker crumbles.
• Try Marshmallow Fondant- To cover the cake and give it a different look.
• Use different fillings between layers- Such as Dulche De Leche, Chocolate Ganache, Raspberry Pie Filling, or

How to make best vanilla cake recipe from scratch?

1. Cream together butter, oil, sugar- Then add eggs, vanilla, buttermilk and set aside.
2. Combine dry ingredients- Then dump into wet mixture and mix.
3. Pour batter into prepared round pans- Then bake until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
4. Allow cake to fully cool- Then frost and decorate as desired.

Tips and techniques

• All ingredients should be at room temperature– That’s because they blend together smoothly and evenly.
• Temperature is key– Do not start assembling and layering your cakes until they have fully cooled down or else the frosting will melt all over the cake and make a sticky mess.
• Grease and flour pans- To prevent the cake from sticking to the pan and making a mess.
• Use unsalted butter- This prevents the cake from becoming too salty.
• Both, butter and oil must be used- Don't replace one with the other because using both together creates the best texture. Using only butter makes the cake very dense. Using only oil causes the cake to lack in that special rich butter flavor.
• Quality matters- So use the best quality of vanilla extract you can find.
• Both, baking powder and baking soda are used- Don't replace one with the other because they both work together to help the cake rise. Make sure they are not expired.
• Only use all-purpose flour- I have tried making this cake with other flours but none have been successful.
• Homemade buttermilk- I know this is not something we have on hand all the time but no worries. Make it at home by mixing together 1 cup whole milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Mix and then use in this recipe.
• Don't over-mix cake batter- The fluffy cake texture is a result of the air bubbles that you whip into the batter that end up expanding in the oven during baking. However, if the batter is over-mixed, those bubbles end up collapsing and the cupcakes don’t fully rise and can sink too. That’s why you should only mix the cake batter until just combined.
• Measure ingredients properly- Because baking is science and those measurements and ingredients combine together to create the best fluffy texture.
• Use a spatula to spread frosting- Evenly over cakes and cupcakes.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Make ahead- This can easily be made beforehand for ease of preparation. Simply place it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days before using.
• Room temperature- This can be at room temperature for 2-3 hours.
• Refrigerate- Store in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
• Freeze- Place in a sealed container for up to 1 month.

More classic cake recipes

• Black Forest Cake (With Cake Mix)
• Chocolate Bundt Cake (From Scratch)
• Sour Cream Pound Cake
• New York Cheesecake (No Water Bath)
• Chocolate Depression Cake (Wacky Cake)

Recipe