Go Back

The Best Homemade Vanilla Cake

A soft, moist, bakery-style vanilla cake made completely from scratch with rich vanilla flavor and fluffy buttercream frosting.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Vanilla Cake
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 0.5 cup vegetable oil
  • 1.75 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs large, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole milk room temperature
Vanilla Buttercream
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Cake pans
  • Wire rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch cake pans.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
  3. Cream butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding dry mixture and milk, mixing until smooth.
  6. Divide batter into pans and bake 25–30 minutes.
  7. Cool cakes completely before frosting.
  8. Beat butter, powdered sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt to make frosting.
  9. Assemble cake and frost completely.

Notes

For a stronger vanilla flavor, use vanilla bean paste.