Vanilla Cake Recipe

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, marking a special occasion, or just craving something sweet, this vanilla cake recipe is a go-to that never disappoints. Soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweet, it’s the kind of recipe every home baker should have in their back pocket.

Vanilla Cake Recipe

Simple ingredients come together to create a delicious vanilla cake that’s easy to dress up or enjoy just as it is.

For more cake recipes – see my roundup cake recipes

First, you’ll start by preparing your ingredients and preheating your oven. Next, you’ll cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy—this is what gives your cake that soft, airy texture. Then add the eggs and vanilla mix everything before adding in the dry ingredients. Finally, pour the vanilla batter into a prepared pan and baked until golden. Once cooled, you can frost, decorate, or enjoy it plain with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Lets bake a vanilla cake!

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Super moist and soft texture
• Simple, everyday ingredients you likely already have
• Perfect base for birthdays, celebrations, or layered cakes.
• Perfect for layering or as a sheet cake.
• Easy to customize with fillings or frostings.
• Family-friendly and great for beginner bakers.

Recipe At A Glance:

Eggs: You will need three eggs at room temperature.

Sugar: You will need one cup of granulated sugar.

Flour: You will need two and a half cups of all-purpose flour.

Baking Powder: You will need 1 and 1/2 tsp of baking powder.

Salt: You will need one tsp of salt for taste.

Vanilla Extract: You will need two tbsp for taste.

Milk: You will need one cup of milk.

Vegetable Oil: You will need 3/4 cups of vegetable oil.

Equipment Needed:

Spatula: For mixing.

Measuring Spoons and Cup: For accurate measurements.

2 Mixing Bowls: For the ingredients.

Small Bowl: For cracking your eggs.

Whisk: For mixing the dry ingredients.

2 round cake Pans: For the batter.

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Step By Step Instructions:

Step One: Prep the oven and pans

Preheat your oven to 350F

Grease your cake pans or add parchment paper

Gather all your ingredients, measure everything then set aside.

Step Two: Mix the wet ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, yogurt, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.

Tip: crack the eggs in a separate bowl to avoid any shells falling into the batter.

Step Three: Mix the dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.

Step Four: Mix it all together

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined

Tip: avoid over mixing the batter. Mix just enough until everything is fully incorporated.

Step Six: Bake

Divide the batter evenly between your pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Tip: Use the toothpick method to check the readiness of the cake

Step Seven: Cool and Enjoy!

Let the cakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Serve and enjoy!

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Leftovers? No problem!

Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Can I use buttermilk instead of milk and yogurt?

Yes! Replace the 1 cup of milk with 1 cup buttermilk for a more tangy flavor.

Does the coffee make the cake taste like coffee?

Nope! It just enhances the chocolate flavor—you won’t taste it.

Can I make cupcakes with this batter?

Absolutely. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 18–22 minutes.

Vanilla Cake Recipe Tips and Variations

1. Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth batter.
2. Don’t overmix once the wet and dry ingredients are combined—this helps keep the cake fluffy.
3. Add coconut flakes to the batter for added texture.
4. Instead of vanilla extract use almond extract.

Troubleshooting Common Mistakes

1. Cake sinking in the middle? Oven might be too hot, or the batter was overmixed.

2. Avoid over mixing the batter.

3. Dry cake? Be sure to measure your flour correctly and don’t overbake.

More Delicious Recipes!

If you enjoyed my Vanilla Cake Recipe have a look at my … Chocolate Cake Recipe, my Blueberry Cake Recipe. Find more dessert recipes here!

From my kitchen to yours…

This vanilla cake is one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again. It’s simple, easy and reliable!

Thank you for reading my post today! If you bake this recipe, share your baked goods on Facebook or Pinterest and tag be sure to tag @BakingOnThyme — I’d love to see how it turns out! Comment below if you have any questions or if you’ve tried my Vanilla Cake Recipe

From my kitchen to yours—until next time, enjoy every bite!!!

Jas.

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