Tender Vanilla Cake
A soft and tender vanilla cake with a simple buttercream frosting, perfect for celebrations or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled For a lighter crumb, replace 2 tablespoons of flour with cornstarch.
- 1¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature For best results, use room temperature.
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup whole milk, room temperature Or buttermilk for extra tenderness.
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional) Adds brightness to the cake.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9-inch round pan and line the bottom with parchment; grease the parchment.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy (about 3–5 minutes). Scrape the bowl as needed.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each until incorporated. Stir in vanilla (and lemon zest if using).
- With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk in two additions: dry—milk—dry—milk—dry. Mix just until combined; do not overmix.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Baking
- Bake for 30–40 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, and the top springs back lightly when pressed.
- Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge and invert onto the rack to cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
- For a simple glaze: mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 1–2 tablespoons milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla until pourable, then drizzle over the cooled cake.
Notes
This cake stores well in an airtight container. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. A light dusting of powdered sugar or serving with fresh berries enhances the cake.