This soft and fluffy vanilla cake recipe delivers a light, tender crumb and unbeatable flavor, perfect for birthdays, gatherings, or a simple treat at home. The secret is in using the right combination of ingredients and techniques to create a moist, buttery cake that melts in your mouth. Follow this foolproof recipe to impress with a cake so soft, it’ll become your go-to for every special occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour – sifted
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter – softened
- 2 large eggs – at room temperature
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk – at room temperature
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil – adds moisture
- Optional: Powdered sugar or frosting for decoration
Instructions
1. Prep and Preheat
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour an 8-inch (20 cm) round or square cake pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3–5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Creaming is key to a soft texture, so don’t rush this step.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Add the vanilla extract and vegetable oil, mixing until combined.
5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Milk Alternately
- With the mixer on low speed, add half of the dry ingredients to the batter, mixing just until combined.
- Slowly add the milk and mix until smooth.
- Add the remaining dry ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can toughen the cake.
6. Bake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
7. Cool and Serve
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar or decorate with frosting as desired before serving.