Easy Vanilla Cake Recipe

Table of Contents

1. Easy Vanilla Cake Recipe Ingredients
2. Substitutions And Additions
3. How To Make This Easy Vanilla Cake Recipe
4. How To Serve This Vanilla Snack Cake
5. Storing This Easy Moist Cake Recipe
6. Why We Love This Recipe
7. More Recipes You’ll Love
8. JUMP TO RECIPE
9. Even More Recipes You’ll Love

Anytime the whim strikes, bake up this delightful and easy vanilla cake recipe for a treat. Soft and simple, it is a perfect little dessert packed with rich vanilla flavor to satisfy a craving.

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Easy Vanilla Cake Recipe Ingredients

Substitutions And Additions

CAKE FLOUR: We highly recommend using the cake flour in this recipe.

If you cannot find cake flour, you can substitute one cup of cake flour with one cup, less two tablespoons of all-purpose flour, plus two tablespoons of cornstarch.

SOUR CREAM: Instead of sour cream, you can use a half cup of buttermilk in this homemade vanilla cake recipe.

TOPPING: Vanilla frosting, chocolate frosting, powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar all work on top of this simple vanilla snack cake recipe.

And, of course, everything’s better with rainbow sprinkles.

How To Make This Easy Vanilla Cake Recipe

These easy, step-by-step directions will walk you through whipping up the simple cake batter along with the sweet frosting to make this cake in a flash.

For The Cake

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Using a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, white sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Set dry ingredients aside.

STEP TWO: Using a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, milk, sour cream, egg, vanilla, and almond extract.

STEP THREE: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the flour mixture, folding just until the flour is incorporated.

STEP FOUR: Pour the vanilla cake batter into the prepared 8×8 square baking pan sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake in the preheated oven for 28 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

STEP FIVE: Cool the cake completely before frosting the top of the cake.

For The Frosting (optional)

STEP ONE: Using a medium bowl and an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream together the butter and vanilla for 1 to 1½ minutes.

STEP TWO: Lower the hand mixer to low speed and add the powdered sugar and milk. Increase the speed to medium speed.

Mix for another 1½ to 2 minutes or until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. 

STEP THREE: Use a rubber spatula or an offset spatula to spread the creamy vanilla buttercream frosting evenly.

How To Serve This Vanilla Snack Cake

You don’t need a special occasion to make the best vanilla cake recipe around. Serve after lunch or dinner or for an afternoon snack.

If you want to turn it into a larger dessert, add a scoop of our no-churn vanilla ice cream and whipped cream on top.

If you want to be extra indulgent, drizzle hot fudge on top.

Serve this simple cake with our iced tea, raspberry iced tea, sweet peach iced tea, or our southern strawberry sweet tea on the side to wash it all down.

Try a few of our other cake recipes when you are inspired to bake something. Our jello poke cake and ding dong cake are just two of many options.

Storing This Easy Moist Cake Recipe

Here are some tips on how to properly store your cake:

MAKE AHEAD: After baking and allowing the cake to cool completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent any air from reaching the cake’s surface.

You can store it at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, consider freezing the cake.

ON THE COUNTER: If you do not wish to frost this classic vanilla cake, you can store any leftovers covered at room temperature for two days.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any frosted leftovers of this moist vanilla cake in the refrigerator for up to four days.

IN THE FREEZER: The unfrosted cake can also be frozen. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil for three months.

Allow the cake to come to room temperature before frosting and cutting.

Why We Love This Recipe

CLASSIC FLAVOR: Vanilla cake is a timeless classic that suits any occasion. It serves as a blank canvas for various fillings, frostings, and decorations.

SIMPLE TO MAKE: The step-by-step instructions and readily available ingredients ensure a stress-free baking experience.

DELIGHTFULLY MOIST: The combination of butter and buttermilk in the recipe results in a moist crumb that’s both flavorful and satisfying.

Moist and rich, this one-layer easy vanilla cake recipe is the perfect dessert to whip up anytime you want something sweet. Cut into mini squares for just the right serving size. 

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