Description
A buttery, soft, and fluffy vanilla cake with a plush crumb that stays moist for up to 4 days. Ideal for birthdays, celebrations, or any occasion, this reliable recipe uses a whipped egg technique and hot milk method for a bakery-style finish.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (260 g)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups caster (superfine) sugar (300 g)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (115 g), cubed
- 1 cup whole milk (240 ml)
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 teaspoons vegetable or canola oil
- 1 cup unsalted butter (225 g), softened (for buttercream)
- 4 cups powdered sugar (500 g), sifted
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract (for buttercream)
- 2 to 4 tablespoons milk (30 to 60 ml), as needed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F (160°C fan). Grease and line two 20 cm / 8-inch round cake pans.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer, beat eggs for 30 seconds, then gradually add sugar. Beat on high for 7 minutes until thick and pale.
- Add flour mixture in 3 parts on low speed, mixing just until incorporated.
- Meanwhile, heat milk and butter until melted and hot. Stir in vanilla and oil.
- Whisk about 1 1/2 cups of batter into the hot milk mixture until foamy. Slowly pour this into the main batter while mixing on low speed. Mix briefly until smooth.
- Divide batter between pans, tap on counter to remove air bubbles. Bake for 28–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 15 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
- For the buttercream: beat butter for 3 minutes until pale and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar. Add vanilla and enough milk to reach a creamy consistency.
- Frost cooled cake as desired and slice to serve.
Notes
- Store cake layers wrapped at room temp for up to 4 days.
- Add lemon zest to the sugar for a citrus twist.
- Tint the buttercream or decorate with sprinkles for celebrations.
- Great for cupcakes and sheet cakes with adjusted bake times.
- Don’t overmix after adding flour to avoid a dense crumb.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
