This recipe yields a light, airy, and delicious vanilla cake that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s easy to follow and uses basic ingredients you likely already have.
Ingredients:
- For the Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (180ml) buttermilk (or 3/4 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit for 5 minutes)
- For optional frosting:
- Your favorite frosting. (Buttercream is always a hit)
Instructions:
- Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan (or an 8-inch square pan). You can also line the bottom with parchment paper for easier removal.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients:
- In a small bowl, combine milk and lemon juice if you are making your own buttermilk.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk in two parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined after each addition. Do not overmix.
- Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frost (Optional):
- Once the cake is completely cooled, frost it with your favorite frosting.
Tips for Fluffy Cake:
- Softened Butter: Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature for proper creaming.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk adds tenderness and a slight tang to the cake.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Oven Temperature: Ensure that your oven is at the correct temperature. Ovens can vary, so an oven thermometer can be very helpful.
- Measuring: when measuring flour, spoon the flour into the measuring cup, and level it with a straight edge. Do not scoop the flour.