The BEST Homemade Vanilla Cake
This All-Purpose Homemade Vanilla Cake Recipe is the BEST Birthday Cake Recipe we’ve ever tasted! Learn How to Make Vanilla Cake from Scratch… The easy way!
The Perfect Vanilla Cake Recipe for All Occasions!
Even if you consider yourself a cook, rather than a baker, every good cook needs a few go-to desserts in their arsenal.
A soft fluffy vanilla recipe cake is the perfect classic treat to make for work events, potlucks, and of course, birthday parties!
We love this vanilla cake because it is so versatile. You can make it as a layer cake, a sheet cake, or even cupcakes. You can frost it with any sort of frosting you like, because what doesn’t go with vanilla.
It stays moist when made in advance. It freezes well. And it rakes in the compliments like nothing else!
Our Best Birthday Cake Recipe
We love classic vanilla cake as a “birthday cake” because it’s such a crowd-pleaser.
This particular birthday cake recipe is slathered with our Homemade Funfetti Frosting so it’s perfect for your special day!
The vanilla cake is ultra moist, with a bold vanilla flavor. Therefore it’s important to use pure vanilla extract.
It has a delicate crumb with small pores and is very tender and fluffy. Honestly, it’s about as perfect as a vanilla cake can be.
Whether dressed up for elegant events or served sheet-pan casual, you will absolutely love this easy vanilla birthday cake recipe!
Homemade Vanilla Cake Recipe Ingredients
Get your grocery list out. Here’s what you will need…
- Cake Flour – You can substitute all-purpose flour + a little cornstarch if needed.
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Unsalted Butter – For quality control, it’s always better to use unsalted butter and add your own salt.
- Granulated Sugar
- Eggs – 2 large eggs + 1 egg white
- Buttermilk – Buy it or make it yourself!
- Vanilla Extract – Pure, not imitation.
- Homemade Funfetti Frosting – Check out our recipe!
How To Make Vanilla Cake
- Cream – It’s very important to cream the butter and sugar together on high speed, to break the sugar crystals down into the butter. Doing this right takes about 3-5 minutes. Don’t skip this step! It creates the light fluffy cake texture.
- Measure – Measure the ingredients carefully. Then combine all the dry ingredients in one bowl, and the wet ingredients in a separate measuring pitcher.
- Combine – Alternate adding the wet and dry ingredients to the butter until both are well incorporated.
- Bake – Pour the batter into the pan and bake!
Get the Full (Printable) Homemade Birthday Cake Recipe Below
Vanilla Cake from Scratch – Pro Tips
The most important things you can do to ensure a perfect bake are:
- Buy fresh ingredients (eggs, butter, baking powder…)
- Measure accurately.
- Make sure your oven thermostat is accurate.
It’s a fact. Most baking failures come down to these three things. Over time, ingredients lose their moisture and lifting power. And ovens often start running too hot or too cool.
Buy an inexpensive oven thermometer to get an accurate read on your oven. Then adjust the temperature as needed.
BONUS: Cakes taste best at room temperature. If you refrigerate your cake, make sure to set the cake out one hour before serving.
Easy Vanilla Cake FAQ
Can I Use Gluten-Free Baking Flour in this Recipe?
Yes! This recipe actually converts to gluten-free very well. Use 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour mix, instead of wheat flour.
How Far In Advance Can I Make This Cake?
You can make this cake up to three days in advance. Cover it well with plastic and leave at room temperature.
How Long Does It Last?
After serving, cover the cake well. Then you can leave it out at room temperature for 4-5 days, or refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks.
Can I Freeze Homemade Cake?
Yes! Wrap the cake very well with plastic, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
More Amazing Cake Recipes
- The Ultimate Texas Sheet Cake
- Best Ever Carrot Cake
- Gooey Butter Cake
- Apple Sheet Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting
- Lemon Buttermilk Cake
- Homemade Strawberry Cake
- Easy Cream Cheese Pound Cake
- Strawberry Yogurt Bundt Cake
The Best Homemade Vanilla Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour (or 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour + 1/4 cup cornstarch)
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
- 2 large eggs + 1 egg white
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Funfetti Frosting Recipe
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Set out two 9-inch cake pans or one 9X13-inch baking dish. Grease and flour the pans. (If you plan to flip the cake out of the pan, line the bottom with parchment paper before greasing the pan. Trace the bottom of the pans onto parchment paper and cut the pieces out to fit exactly.)
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar on high speed, until ultra light and fluffy. (about 3-5 minutes) Then scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Pour the buttermilk in a large measuring pitcher. Then whisk in the eggs, egg white, and vanilla extract.
- Turn the mixer on low and alternate adding in the flour mixture and the buttermilk, until all is combined. Scrape the bowl again. Then beat again for 15-30 seconds, just until the batter is smooth. Do not over-mix the batter.
- Pour the cake batter in the prepared pan(s) and place on the center rack in the oven. Bake 9-inch pans for 22-25 minutes, or a 9X13-inch pan for 30-35 minutes. Test the cake by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, remove from the oven.
- Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully flip out onto a cooling rack. Cool completely. Once cooled, frost the cake with Homemade Funfetti Frosting. Then cut and serve!
I’m sorry. I just want to get this recipe correct. I do not see what we’re supposed to do with the butter and sugar, or when we add it in to the cake mixture.. or maybe I’m missing the part where you mention it.
Hi Crystal,
No worries! In step 2 you cream the butter and sugar together. Then in step 5 you add all the ingredients together. Happy Baking!
Can I make this cake in a metal 13 x 9 pan? Noticed you used a white porcelain dish. Just wondered if the oven temp. would change? Thank you!
Hi Janet,
Yes, a metal pan would reduce the baking time by a few minutes. I would check it about 5-7 minutes earlier than listed in the recipe. :)
This is the best Vanilla cake ever! Can I post it on my blog? Thanks for sharing!
Added 1/3 cup of lemon zest (peel) and it was heaven!
Thank you so much for sharing your delicious recipe…my baby bear (my daughter) was very happy to have a homemade cake for her 8th birthday made by mama bear (me)! :D
Hands down my favorite cake recipeÂ
Its 2023 and your recipe still too good. :) its very details cake recipe i ever checked.
I was wondering cook times for two round pans? I want to make an Easter Bunny Cake!
Hi Tracy!
Two 9-inch round pans should take about 22-25 minutes to bake.
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My 8 year old daughter loves baking shows so we tried this cake and frosting recipe as she wanted to make a cake from scratch. We have made from boxes before and cookies and bars from scratch but never a cake. We followed the directions exactly and it turn out perfect! She loved it and we all thought it tasted great!
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This is the best Vanilla cake ever! I did everything you said and it’s delicious! Very happy. 😋😋 Thank you. I sprinkled miniature chocolate chips on top, perfect!Â
Delicious! My 6 year old and I made this together. We added 1/2 cup of sprinkles to the batter to make it a confetti cake, baked in a 9 x 13 pan, and decorated with stabilized whipped cream frosting & fresh fruit. It got rave reviews from kids & adults alike! It’s easily the best vanilla cake recipe I’ve made. Moist but not too heavy, nice vanilla flavor, not overly sweet. Besides adding sprinkles we followed the instructions to a T — all ingredients were room temp, we whipped the butter & sugar for 5 minutes, used cake flour (all purpose flour & corn starch sifted several times), and measured buttermilk, sugar & flour on a kitchen scale to ensure proper proportions (having the metric & cup measurement options in the recipe is great because I could easily switch back & forth!)
Adding: we lined the bottom of the pan with parchment paper & the cake came out easily after cooking in the pan for a half an hour or so.
Can you make these into cupcakes?
Hi Evol,
Yes, you can! Baking time should be around 15-17 minutes, but please check at the 12 minute mark to be sure you don’t over-bake. :)
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This is the most delicious cake recipe I have ever made! I followed the directions to a tee, and it turned out absolutely perfect! My whole family agrees. Thank you times a million for this!!Â
Made this cake half a dozen times now. Using different flavored buttercream. It is sooooo good. Fabulous recipe. So good. Any chance you can tell me what to add to make this chocolate?? Possible? Oldest wants his bday cake chocolate but loves this cake. LolÂ
Hi Kerrie,
I’m so glad you like it! Try swapping the full amount of flour for 2 cups cake flour + 1/2 – 3/4 cup cocoa powder. (Depending on just how chocolatey you want it.) Happy Baking!
This is an amazing…and it looks soo yummy & sound so delicious…i will trying to make it …Thanks for sharing….
Love it!
I didn’t have all the right ingredients and it’s still the best homemade cake i’ve ever made :)!
This cake was delicious!!! It was moist and buttery! So good and will be my go to yellow cake recipe! Thank you for sharing!
I made this cake with my granddaughter and it was delicious!! I never thought one could tell the difference between box cake and one made from scratch. WRONG best cake EVER!!
This was fabulous! I can make a cake now!!! Thank you so much!
Hi Jeremiah,
YAY!!!! I’m so glad you liked it and felt successful! :)
Can you use this recipe in a layered cake? Like two 9″ cake pans?
Hi Ashley
Yes, you can! We offer cooking times for both a 9X13 inch pan and two 9 inch round pans in the recipe form. :)
Thanks, I’ll be using this recipe for a birthday cake again next weekend. What a perfect and versatile recipe!
So easy and fun to make. Thanks for such an amazing guide.
Love love love this!! My cake was moist and it turned out so good!! Thank you 💋
Fabulous cake. Â Easy recipe. D
I chose this recipe to make my mom’s birthday cake because I had all of the ingredients and it looked easy! I didn’t have my 2 pans to make it a layered cake; however, I ended up following the directions and using a bundt pan (cooked 350 for 45 minutes) and I stirred in chocolate chips at the end. The cake was a HUGE HIT!!!! XOXX
*I used a fudge glaze for the top!Â
i have try this recipe this is a awesome thanks!!
my mom like that Great recipe
Thanks for sharing the recipe. It was really delicious my mom also like.
Thanks for sharing! Really good
Great recipe! Thanks for share.
This is something I made for my daughter’s birthday. It was the most delicious homemade cake I’d ever made. It was a huge success for everybody because it was so tasty.
I made this for my daughter’s birthday. It was the best homemade cake I have ever made. So delicious, it was a hit with everyone.Â
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing the recipe. It was really helpful and I will make it to my home
Thanks for sharing! This recipe is very tasty! My son loves this because of the rainbow sprinkles. :)
Made as directed. Even made the frosting. Turned out lovely.
so so good
This sounds like a delicious and moist cake. Do you think the cream cheese or mascarpone frosting would work well on this? Thank you.
Hi Mia,
Personally, I love a good mascarpone frosting! :)
Thanks for sharing the recipe. It was really delicious.
There is a portal called Homiify. They provide a platform for all homegrown Bakers. I had ordered a personalized cake and it was delicious.
Do check the website: http://www.homiify.com
Taught my g-daughter this recipe to teach her how to read a recipe and cook it. Came out delicious.
Thank you, Sommer Collier!
thanks for your sharing!
Sooooo good and moist! Definitely will be my new go to.
Thanks your sharing
Hey I’ve got a small family can I get the measurements for 1/2 the Cake pleaseÂ
Hi Nawailah,
You can use the servings slider in the recipe form to adjust the ingredients as needed. :)
This cake was delicious and easy to make. I used all purpose flour and cornstarch (thanks for that tip!) and made cupcakes. I used your Funfetti Frosting recipe too. Everyone loved the cupcakes. I’ll be using this recipe for a birthday cake again next weekend. What a perfect and versatile recipe!
I love cakes. It seems very good. I will surely try it today. Thanks for sharing.
We love the flavor of this cake, but I have made it twice as directed and could not get it to turn out of a greased/floured pan either time. Thinking it might be more of a leave in the 9×13″ pan and cut slices kind of cake than one for decorating? Or I could be doing something wrong. At least it tasted good!
Hi Kyle,
Try adding parchment paper circles that fit down in the bottom of your round cake pans, before greasing. Some cake pans want to hold tight to the cake more than others.
This cake was delicious!!! Â It was moist and buttery! Â So good and will be my go to yellow cake recipe! Â Thank you for sharing!
Made with substitutions suggested and still tasted great. Loved it!Â
Made a unicorn cake with this recipe. Delicious cake! Be sure not to over mix as i did or it will be dense. I will be using recipe again😊
This was so good! My kids really loved it!
This is the BEST! i loved the that it was homemade!
There’s nothing better than homemade cake from scratch! This was perfect and my family ate it in 2 days!
So easy and fun to make! Also just tastes like love 💖