Luscious Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Buttercream

Indulge in the timeless charm of a truly exceptional dessert: the **Super Moist Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting**. This recipe delivers a luscious, intensely vanilla-flavored cake, perfectly complemented by a light, fluffy, and utterly decadent vanilla buttercream. It’s a pairing so classic, so universally loved, that it promises to become your go-to recipe for every special occasion, or simply when a craving for something truly sublime strikes.

There’s a reason why this particular vanilla cake is hailed as one of the best and most requested recipes. Its exquisite balance of rich vanilla notes and its incredibly moist texture set it apart. This dreamy duo is perfect for birthday celebrations, elegant holiday gatherings, or any moment that calls for a touch of sweet perfection. And if you’re a fan of classic confections, be sure to explore our other celebrated recipes like the Super Moist Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, the Ultimate Carrot Cake, and the vintage-inspired “American Beauty” Retro Red Velvet Cake.

Why This Super Moist Vanilla Cake & Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe Is a Crowd Favorite

A super moist vanilla cake crowned with a rich and creamy vanilla buttercream frosting is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. This iconic combination consistently delights, offering a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. By following our carefully crafted recipe and employing quality ingredients, you can easily create a cake that will impress everyone and have them clamoring for the secret to its success.

This ultimate vanilla cake recipe is incredibly versatile, making it the ideal choice for a wide array of occasions. Whether you’re baking a show-stopping birthday cake, a beautifully decorated centerpiece for holiday celebrations, or simply yearning for the comforting, tender crumb of a perfectly baked vanilla cake, this recipe delivers every time. Far from being a daunting endeavor, creating this masterpiece is straightforward when you follow our clear, step-by-step instructions. Prepare to elevate your baking skills and become the cherished baker among your friends and family with this irresistible treat.

Indulge in a Heavenly Treat: The Ultimate Vanilla Cake Experience

The moment this cake begins to bake, your entire home will be enveloped in an intoxicating aroma of sweet vanilla. Imagine the comforting scent of vanilla candles, but amplified and blended with the promise of a freshly baked dessert – that’s the delightful fragrance that fills your kitchen as this cake and its frosting come together. It’s truly a heavenly sensory experience that excites the taste buds long before the first bite.

Vanilla, often unfairly labeled as “boring,” is anything but when treated with the respect it deserves. It’s a flavor of depth, warmth, and nostalgic comfort. My own mother, for instance, is a lifelong devotee of vanilla cake. No matter the array of gourmet options at weddings or family gatherings, her heart (and fork) always gravitates towards the vanilla slice. While she might sample other offerings, vanilla consistently remains her top preference, with lemon coming in as a very close second. And who can blame her? A perfectly executed vanilla cake is utterly delicious and universally adored!

We’ve been on quite the vanilla journey recently, discovering new ways to celebrate this classic flavor. If you’re as passionate about vanilla as we are, you might also enjoy our Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Pound Cake Loaf and the enchanting Very Vanilla Magic Custard Cake. But for now, let’s focus on this exquisite double vanilla delight – a moist vanilla cake layered with rich vanilla buttercream. It’s a traditional, vintage-cool, and undeniably exciting dessert that proves vanilla is anything but dull. So, tie on your apron and prepare to create a slice of pure perfection that embodies the heartwarming essence of vanilla.

Essential Ingredients for Your Super Moist Vanilla Cake

Crafting the perfect vanilla cake starts with selecting high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the desired moistness, flavor, and texture. Here’s a detailed list of what you’ll need:

Super Moist Vanilla White Cake Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of our cake, providing structure.
• Baking powder: Our leavening agent, ensuring a light and airy crumb.
• Salt: A touch of salt enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness.
• Unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and contributes to a tender texture. Ensure it’s softened to cream properly with the shortening and sugar.
• Vegetable shortening, softened: Adds to the cake’s moistness and creates a beautiful white crumb. We recommend using a quality shortening like Crisco.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps tenderize the batter.
• Large eggs, room temperature: Crucial for emulsification and achieving a smooth batter. Room temperature eggs blend more easily.
• Milk of choice, room temperature: Whether you opt for buttermilk, whole milk, or a non-dairy alternative, ensure it’s at room temperature for optimal mixing. A half-buttermilk, half-whole milk combo can also be used for added richness.
• Pure vanilla extract: The star flavor of our cake. Use a high-quality extract for the best results.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Ingredients

No vanilla cake is complete without a velvety vanilla buttercream. Here’s what you’ll need for a frosting that’s truly to die for:

• Unsalted butter, softened: The base for our rich and creamy frosting. Softened butter whips up light and fluffy.
• Powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar): Provides the sweetness and structure for the frosting. Sifting can prevent lumps.
• Vanilla extract: Delivers the signature vanilla flavor. For an even more intense vanilla presence, consider using vanilla bean paste.
• Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the vanilla flavor.
• Heavy whipping cream: Adjusts the consistency of the frosting, making it smooth and spreadable.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Super Moist Vanilla Cake

1. **Prepare Your Oven and Pans:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two or three 9-inch round cake pans (or three 8-inch pans, or a 9×13 baking dish) by generously coating them with nonstick baking spray, or by buttering and lightly flouring them. Be sure to tap out any excess flour. For extra insurance against sticking, you can line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper before spraying.
2. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium-sized bowl, whisk or sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting helps to aerate the flour and prevent lumps, ensuring an even texture. Set this mixture aside.
3. **Cream Fats and Sugar:** In a separate, larger mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and vegetable shortening until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process typically takes about 3-5 minutes and is essential for incorporating air, which contributes to the cake’s light texture.
4. **Incorporate Sugar and Eggs:** Gradually add the granulated sugar to the creamed butter mixture, about one cup at a time, ensuring each addition is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing gently until each egg is just combined. Avoid over-beating at this stage to keep the cake tender.
5. **Prepare Wet Ingredients:** Pour your chosen milk (buttermilk, whole milk, or non-dairy milk – all at room temperature) and the pure vanilla extract into a measuring cup. Whisk them together briefly to combine.
6. **Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:** Alternately add the dry flour mixture and the milk mixture to the creamed butter and egg mixture. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. This method helps to maintain the batter’s emulsion and prevents over-mixing.
7. **Gentle Mixing:** Gently stir all ingredients until they are just combined, making sure to scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl to incorporate everything evenly. It’s crucial not to over-mix the batter, as this can develop the gluten too much, resulting in a tough or dry cake.
8. **Fill Pans and Bake:** Evenly distribute the cake batter among your prepared cake pans. Gently tap the pans on the counter a few times to release any trapped air bubbles, which helps prevent large holes in the cake. Place the pans into the preheated oven.
9. **Bake Until Done:** Bake the cakes until they spring back to the touch when lightly pressed and a toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Baking times vary by pan size:
   • Two 9-inch pans: approximately 30-35 minutes
   • Three 9-inch pans: approximately 25-30 minutes
   • Three 8-inch pans: approximately 35-40 minutes
   • One 9×13 baking pan: approximately 35-40 minutes

   Remove the cakes from the oven once they are done.

10. **Cooling Process:** Allow the cakes to cool in their pans on a wire cooling rack for about 8-10 minutes. This allows them to firm up slightly before you attempt to remove them. Then, carefully invert the cakes onto the wire rack to cool completely. Ensuring they are fully cooled before frosting is vital to prevent the frosting from melting.
11. **Frost as Desired:** Once the cake layers are completely cool, assemble and frost your super moist vanilla cake with the luscious vanilla buttercream.

How to Make Dreamy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

1. **Cream the Butter:** Using an electric mixer on a medium setting, cream the softened unsalted butter until it is smooth, lightened in color, and fluffy. This usually takes about 3 minutes and incorporates air into the butter, resulting in a lighter frosting.
2. **Add Powdered Sugar Gradually:** Begin adding the powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) to the creamed butter, about ½ cup at a time. After each addition has been incorporated, turn the mixer to the highest speed for about 10 seconds. This step helps to lighten the frosting and prevent it from becoming too dense.
3. **Flavor and Season:** Add the vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste for a richer flavor) and a pinch of salt. Mix until these ingredients are well-incorporated throughout the frosting.
4. **Adjust Consistency with Cream:** Gradually add the heavy whipping cream, one tablespoon at a time, mixing after each addition, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. For a thicker, firmer frosting suitable for piping intricate designs, you might use less cream. For a softer, spreadable frosting, you might add a bit more.
5. **For Firmer Frosting:** If your frosting is too soft, add more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until the desired firmness is achieved.
6. **For Softer Frosting:** If your frosting is too firm, add more milk or cream, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your preferred softer consistency.

For those who love variety, you might also enjoy experimenting with our Ultimate Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe!

Storing Your Delicious White Vanilla Cake

Proper storage ensures your super moist vanilla cake remains fresh and delectable for as long as possible:

• **Short-Term Storage:** Store the frosted cake covered, ideally under a cake dome, at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you don’t have a cake dome, an airtight container will also work.
• **Longer Refrigerated Storage:** For extended freshness, transfer the cake to the refrigerator. It will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• **Freezing Cake Layers:** You can prepare the cake layers in advance and freeze them. Allow the baked layers to cool completely. Wrap each individual layer tightly in plastic wrap, then place them into a zip-top freezer bag. Frozen cake layers can be stored for up to one month.
• **Thawing Frozen Cake Layers:** To frost a frozen cake, simply remove the wrapped layers from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator, keeping the wrapping intact. Once completely thawed, proceed with frosting the cake as usual.

Transforming Your Cake Batter into Vanilla Cupcakes

This versatile vanilla cake recipe isn’t just for layer cakes! It also makes absolutely delicious cupcakes. One batch of this white cake batter will yield approximately 24 standard-sized cupcakes when the cupcake tins are filled a little more than three-quarters full. Adjust your baking time accordingly for cupcakes; they typically require about 18 minutes in the oven. For more delightful cupcake ideas, check out our Heavenly White Chocolate Buttercream Frosted Vanilla Butter Cupcakes or our festive Caramel Apple Cupcakes.

Top Tips for the Best Super Moist Vanilla Cake Recipe

Achieving the perfect super moist vanilla cake is easier with these expert tips:

• **Creaming is Key:** Always cream the butter, shortening, and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This crucial step, taking about 3 to 5 minutes, incorporates air into the batter, resulting in a lighter and more tender cake. When adding eggs and other ingredients, mix gently until just incorporated, avoiding over-beating, which can lead to a dry cake by over-developing gluten.
• **Cupcake Conversion:** As mentioned, this recipe conveniently yields about 24 cupcakes when filling cupcake tins a little more than ¾ full. Bake these for approximately 18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• **Pan Conversions & Baking Time:** If you’re using different sized pans (such as 6-inch, 8-inch, or even a Bundt pan), be sure not to overfill them. Adjust your baking time accordingly. Overfilling can lead to uneven baking or overflow. Always use the toothpick test for doneness.
• **Resist Opening the Oven Door:** Avoid frequently opening the oven door while the cake is baking. Each time the door is opened, the oven temperature drops, which can cause the cake to sink or bake unevenly. Only open the oven when you need to check for doneness in the final minutes of baking.
• **Proper Cooling in Pans:** Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly in the cake pans for about 5 minutes. This brief cooling period helps the cake to set and makes it easier to remove without breaking. Afterwards, carefully turn the cake layers out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• **Don’t Overcool in Pans:** Conversely, leaving the cake in the pans for too long can cause moisture to build up, making the cake stick to the pan and difficult to release. It’s a delicate balance!
• **Ensure Doneness (But Don’t Overbake!):** The ultimate test for doneness is when the cake springs back to the touch and a toothpick or skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean or with very few moist crumbs. Overbaking is the primary culprit behind dry cakes, so start checking your cake in the last 10-15 minutes of the suggested baking time to ensure it’s removed at peak moistness.

This Super Moist Vanilla White Cake recipe truly is a classic that never goes out of style. Its popularity for birthdays, weddings, baby showers, or simply as an everyday treat is a testament to its irresistible appeal. Give it a try for your next batch of cupcakes, elegant layer cake, or convenient sheet cake. You might also find yourself falling in love with our Super Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting!

Of course, the beauty of this delicious vanilla white cake is its incredible versatility. Feel free to customize it in countless ways with different frostings, fresh fruits, candies, sprinkles, or delightful fillings. The possibilities are endless!

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Essential Baking Tips & Guides

• Baking & Tips 101
• How To – Baking Perfect Cookie Tips
• 5 Expert Tips How to Tell Your Cake Is Done

Adapted from Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch