Tender Homemade Vanilla Cake Recipe with Creamy Buttercream Frosting
A soft, tender vanilla cake paired with a creamy, luscious buttercream frosting. This easy-to-make recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and yields a moist, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
- For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2–4 tablespoons (30-60ml) heavy cream or whole milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Fold gently with a rubber spatula after each addition to preserve air bubbles.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and cakes spring back when pressed lightly.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- For the frosting, beat softened butter until creamy (about 2 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low to combine, then high until fluffy (3-4 minutes). Add heavy cream or milk to reach desired consistency.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of buttercream on top. Add second layer and frost top and sides. Use an offset spatula for a smooth finish.
- Chill assembled cake for 30 minutes to set the frosting.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Fold batter gently to preserve air bubbles and ensure a tender crumb. Sift powdered sugar for smooth buttercream. Chill cake after frosting to set. For dairy-free, substitute vegan butter and plant milk. For gluten-free, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cak
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Protein: 3
Keywords: vanilla cake, homemade cake, buttercream frosting, easy vanilla cake, tender cake, moist cake, birthday cake, simple cake recipe