This is the only vanilla cake recipe you’ll ever need! It bakes up soft, buttery, and moist, with a fine, delicate crumb. So easy it’s practically foolproof, and it all comes together in just one bowl. Simple, versatile, and so delicious!

Vanilla layer cake presented on a white background with a slice removed.

There is no better way to celebrate a special occasion (I’m talking birthday or a holiday) than with a gorgeous layer cake.

I love to bake cakes, and my family loves it too. Our favorites include Chocolate Cake, Red Velvet Cake, and Carrot Cake.

But lately we are really loving on this simple, perfect vanilla cake.

I am a firm believer that nothing beats scratch-made. There is something so blow-your-mind fantastic about a homemade dessert freshly baked from simple, wholesome ingredients.

I grew up mostly on prepackaged desserts and treats made from a mix, but my grandmother used to bake for special occasions. My mom always made a big deal about her from-scratch cakes and would make sure I tasted. She wanted me to note the difference, and I definitely did!

If you’re good about keeping a well-stocked pantry, this recipe isn’t any more complex than a box cake. Got basics like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs on hand? Know how to properly measure ingredients?

Then you can totally do this!

This recipe comes together in just one bowl, so it’s super easy, and you won’t have a ton of dishes to wash. No sweat!

You will be amazed at the difference scratch makes. This is the best vanilla cake recipe because it is incredibly light, soft, moist, and delicate, and the flavor is off the charts. Buttery, rich, and sweetly perfumed with fragrant vanilla.

You’ll never go back to the box!

A slice of cake served on its side on a dark plate, with a text label that reads Perfect Vanilla Cake from Scratch.

Table of Contents

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Why You’ll Love This Cake Recipe

Tastes amazing: Vanilla cake made from scratch offers a richer, more authentic flavor than the box mixes’ artificial flavors.

Great Texture: Scratch-made cakes tend to have a finer crumb and a moist, delicate texture.

Wholesome: A homemade vanilla cake has no preservatives, weird additives, or artificial flavors or colors.

Easy to Make: You will love how easy this recipe is to make! And, you only need one mixing bowl to make it. Less cleanup!

Ingredients and notes

Here’s a quick rundown of the ingredients you’ll need to make this vanilla cake, and why.

Flour

A combination of all-purpose flour and cake flour are used to achieve a balance between structure and tenderness.

All-purpose flour lends added strength to the structure, so it’s not so soft it falls apart when you go to frost it. You can swap it out for any kind of whole-grain option if you like.  You may need slightly less if you go that route.  

A gluten-free flour blend that can sub 1:1 for regular flour should also work just fine, if you’d like to make a gluten-free vanilla cake.

Read lots more about cake flour here: What is Cake Flour?

Sugar

Sugar adds sweetness (obvs!) but it also aids in browning and keeps things moist, since it’s hydrophilic (this means it loves water, in other words, it draws moisture in). 

Regular white sugar is fine, or sub for another type of sweetener if you like.  As long as it swaps 1:1 for granulated sugar it should work.

Baking powder and baking soda

These leavening agents are essential for making the cake rise and bake up light and fluffy.

Salt

Salt carries the flavors and intensifies them.  The end result won’t taste salty, but it will make everything so much more flavorful!  

I like kosher salt best because it doesn’t have any additives (table salt usually contains iodine which can leave a bitter taste), so the flavor is pure.  It’s also inexpensive and easy to find in a regular grocery store.

Butter

Butter adds richness and flavor to the cake.

I like to use unsalted butter because it lets me control the amount of salt in the dish.  Different brands of butter can contain different amounts of salt, so this way you get a more consistent result.  

For a vegan or dairy-free vanilla cake recipe, use a plant-based butter that can substitute for dairy butter 1:1.

This recipe works best if you allow the butter to come to room temperature first.  You can set it out on the counter a few hours ahead of making your recipe, or you can microwave it for 10 seconds, turn it over, and microwave it again for another 8 seconds.

Eggs

Eggs act as a binding agent and provide structure to the cake.

They also contribute to its moisture and tenderness.

Use large chicken eggs here, or a plant-based egg replacement than subs 1:1 for chicken eggs.

It’s best if the eggs are at room temperature, but I don’t find this to be critical.

Sour cream

Sour cream adds moisture to the cake batter, resulting in a softer and more tender cake. It helps prevent the cake from drying out during baking.

If you don’t have sour cream you could also use the same amount of Greek yogurt or buttermilk.

Milk

Milk adds moisture and helps achieve a workable batter consistency.

You can use whatever kind of milk you keep on hand: 2%, skim whole… even a plant-based milk will work!

Vanilla

Vanilla extract adds a subtly sweet flavor without being at all sugary.  

For a more pronounced flavor, try using vanilla bean paste.  You could also split a vanilla bean down the center lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and add those.  

Or you could try this with an altogether different type of extract or flavoring, such as:

Or anything else you have on hand!

Special equipment

Here are the tools you’ll need to make this recipe:

How to make the perfect vanilla cake recipe from scratch

Let’s walk through the steps together!

Step 1: Prep

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F, mist three 6-inch cake pans with non-stick spray, and line them with circles cut from parchment paper.

Step 2: Combine the dry ingredients

Place the cake flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl, and give it all a quick stir to combine.

Dry ingredients for vanilla cake blended together in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Step 3: Work in the butter

Add the soft butter to the bowl. then mix it in on medium-low speed until the mixture resembles damp sand.

Adding softened butter to dry ingredients.

Then mix it in on medium-low speed until the mixture resembles damp sand.

Dry ingredients and butter mixed until it looks like damp sand.

Step 4: Add eggs

Stir in the eggs, one at a time, and allowing each one to fully incorporate before adding the next.

Eggs mixed into dry ingredients and butter mixture.

Step 5: Liquid ingredients

Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to make sure all the ingredients are fully incorporated, then add in the yogurt, milk, and vanilla.

Adding liquid ingredients to vanilla cake batter.

And stir them in until combined.

Step 6: Fluff

Mix on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, to aerate the batter and build the cake’s structure.

Beating vanilla cake batter to aerate and build the structure.

Step 7: Bake

Divide the batter equally between the prepared pans and slide them into the oven on the middle rack.

Unbaked vanilla cake batter in a greased, parchment-lined 6-inch round cake pan.

You’ll know your cake layers are done baking when they feel springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Step 8: Cool

Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before filling and frosting.

Interior view of vanilla cake, displaying the moist layers and filling in between.

Recipe FAQ’s

What is the reverse creaming method?

Most cake recipes start by creaming the butter and sugar and then alternately adding dry and liquid ingredients in batches.

With this method, it’s way too easy to under-cream the butter and sugar, and to over-mix the batter, causing the cake to be tough.

Plus, it creates too many dirty dishes for my liking.

The reverse creaming method is much simpler.

All you need to do is measure the flour, sugar, leavening, and salt into the mixing bowl, then work in the soft butter until the mixture resembles damp sand. Mix in the eggs, then add the dairy and vanilla extract, and you’re done.

It’s practically foolproof!

What is the best frosting to use for vanilla cake?

This cake is so versatile! It can be filled and topped in all sorts of ways. You can really let your imagination go wild!

Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing: whipped cream frosting, chocolate swiss meringue buttercream, vanilla wwiss meringue buttercream, pastry cream (filling), cream cheese frosting, vanilla frosting, or raspberry buttercream.

How do you make this classic vanilla cake recipe into cupcakes?

Yes, this cake can easily be made into cupcakes. This recipe will make 24 cupcakes.
Adjust the baking time to 16 to 20 minutes, and refer to my vanilla cupcake recipe for a full tutorial.

What size cake pans are best for this vanilla cake recipe?

I baked my vanilla cake in three 6-inch pans. I just love the look of a tall cake!

But if you’d prefer to bake it as two 8 or 9-inch layers, you can totally do that.

Just keep an eye on the bake time because a thinner, flatter cake will need less time to bake than a smaller, thicker cake would.

This recipe can also be doubled and baked in a 12-cup bundt pan. Again, adjustments to the bake time will likely be necessary.

Expert tips

  • Measure all the ingredients precisely. Use liquid measuring cups for the liquid ingredients, and dry measuring cups for the dry ingredients. Accurate measurements ensure the right balance of ingredients and prevent the cake from being too dry or too wet. Read more about this here: How to Measure Ingredients for Baking.
  • Allow ingredients like eggs, butter, and yogurt (if using) to come to room temperature before starting. Room temperature ingredients mix in more smoothly, so you don’t end up with a lumpy batter.
  • Keep a close eye on the cake while baking and avoid overbaking it. Overbaking can lead to a dry cake. A few minutes before you think it will be done, flip on the oven light and view the cake through the window. If it doesn’t look wet in the middle, crack open the door slightly and give it a feel. If it’s springy, give it the toothpick test. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the cake is done.
  • Allow the cake to cool in the pan. Cooling in the pan helps keep the cake moist.
A tall slice of easy homemade vanilla cake recipe, baked, filled, and frosted.

How to store and keep

This vanilla cake should be fine at room temperature for a day or so.

If you have a lot of leftovers, stash them in the fridge, tightly wrapped. They should be good there for a week or so.

Depending on the filling recipe and frosting recipe you’ve used, you might be able to freeze it as well. The cake itself should keep for a few months in the freezer.

Baking in advance

I love a good make-ahead dessert, and this white cake is a perfect example.

The layers can be baked up to a few weeks ahead, which really helps to take the pressure off when you’re entertaining.

Once the cake is baked and completely cooled, wrap the layers tightly in plastic wrap and place them in the fridge. They can stay there overnight or up to a few days.

Or slip the wrapped cakes into a zip-top bag and keep them in the freezer for several weeks.

When you’re ready to fill, frost, and decorate, it’s so much easier if the cake is cold.

You’ll find it’s much less crumbly that way. I like to frost my cakes straight from the fridge or freezer. No loose crumbs in the frosting- which really makes it much easier to decorate a beautiful birthday cake.

Moist Homemade Vanilla Cake

I know you are going to love this vanilla cake recipe! Bake it up for your next big occasion and get ready for tons of compliments!

Serving size

Using three 6-inch cake pans to create a triple-layer cake, this recipe makes 8 servings.

The nutritional info in the recipe card below reflects a serving size of 1/8 the recipe.

A few more of my favorite classic cake recipes!

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Best Vanilla Cake from Scratch
4.25 stars (128 ratings)

Perfect Vanilla Cake

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
This is the only vanilla cake recipe you’ll ever need! It bakes up soft, buttery, and moist, with a fine, delicate crumb. So easy it’s practically foolproof, and it all comes together in just one bowl. Simple, versatile, and so delicious!

Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F, mist three 6-inch cake pans*** with non-stick spray, and line them with circles cut from parchment paper.
  • Place the cake flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer, and stir on low speed to combine.
  • Add the butter, mixing on medium-low speed until the mixture resembles damp sand (about 1 minute.
  • Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl to be sure all of the ingredients are fully incorporated.
  • Add the sour cream, milk, and vanilla.
  • Mix on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, to aerate the batter and build the cake’s structure.
  • Divide the batter equally between the prepared pans, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the thickest part of the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  • Cool completely before filling and frosting.

Notes

* Learn more about cake flour here: Why Use Cake Flour?
** If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute by stirring 2 teaspoons of white vinegar or lemon juice into 2/3 cup of regular milk. Allow the mixture to stand for 5 minutes, or until thickened and slightly curdled.
*** This layer cake can also be baked in two 8-inch or 9-inch diameter cake pans. The cake layers may bake up slightly thinner, and the bake times may need to be adjusted. Click here for the cupcake version of this recipe: Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes from Scratch.
Serving: 0.125cake, Calories: 442kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 100mg, Sodium: 352mg, Potassium: 156mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 736IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 77mg, Iron: 1mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
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