World Best Vanilla Cake Recipe

Hi there! I’m so excited to share my all-time favorite vanilla cake recipe with you. This cake is super soft, really fluffy, and packed with yummy vanilla flavor. It’s the kind of cake everyone loves — perfect for birthdays, family parties, or even just a sweet snack at home.
And don’t worry — you don’t need to be a pro baker to make this! I’ll guide you through every step.

Ingredients

3 and 3/4 cups cake flour (this makes the cake soft)
1 tablespoon baking powder (helps the cake rise)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/2 cups butter (softened)
2 and 1/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract (for that yummy vanilla smell and taste)
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but it adds a nice touch)
4 large eggs
3 egg whites (whisk these until foamy)
1 and 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup canola oil (makes the cake moist)
For the Frosting:
2 cups butter (softened)
6 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
A pinch of salt

Let’s Bake the Cake!

Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready

First, turn your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease 3 round cake pans and line them with baking paper so the cakes come out easily later.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Stuff
In a big bowl, mix together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Put that aside for now.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In another big bowl, use a mixer to beat the butter until it’s soft and creamy (about 1 minute). Add the sugar and beat it for another 2 minutes until it’s fluffy.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In another big bowl, use a mixer to beat the butter until it’s soft and creamy (about 1 minute). Add the sugar and beat it for another 2 minutes until it’s fluffy.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In another big bowl, use a mixer to beat the butter until it’s soft and creamy (about 1 minute). Add the sugar and beat it for another 2 minutes until it’s fluffy. Now add the vanilla and almond extracts.

Step 4: Add the Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing each one in really well. Don’t forget to scrape the sides of the bowl so everything gets mixed evenly.

Step 5: Fold in the Egg Whites
Gently mix in the foamy egg whites in 3 parts. Be gentle so you don’t lose the fluffiness.

Step 6: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a small bowl, mix the buttermilk, sour cream, and oil. It might look a little weird, but that’s okay!

Step 7: Put It All Together
Now, add the dry flour mixture and the wet buttermilk mix to the butter mixture. Start with the flour, then the wet, and keep switching back and forth. Always start and end with the flour. Don’t overmix — just mix until it’s combined.

Step 8: Bake!
Pour the batter evenly into the 3 pans. Bake them for about 24-25 minutes. To check if they’re ready, poke a toothpick in the middle — if it comes out clean, you’re good!

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes. Then, take them out and let them cool completely on a wire rack.

Let’s Make the Frosting!

Step 1: Beat the Butter
In a clean bowl, beat the butter until it’s soft and smooth (about 2 minutes).

Step 2: Add Sugar and Cream
Slowly add the powdered sugar while mixing on low speed. Then add the milk, cream, vanilla, and salt. Once everything is in, turn the mixer to high and beat until the frosting is fluffy and perfect.

Time to Build the Cake!

Put one cake layer on a plate.
Spread some frosting on top.
Add the second cake layer and more frosting.
Add the last cake layer and cover the whole cake with the rest of the frosting.
Let the cake sit for about 20 minutes before cutting. That helps the frosting set.

Chef’s Tips!

✅ Room Temp Ingredients — Make sure your butter, eggs, and dairy are all at room temperature before you start. It makes mixing easier.

✅ Don’t Overmix — After you add the flour, only mix until it’s combined. Overmixing makes cakes dense.

✅ Toothpick Test — If you poke the cake with a toothpick and it comes out clean, the cake is done!

Want to Change It Up?
Gluten-Free? Use gluten-free cake flour.
Dairy-Free? Use dairy-free butter and milk.
More Flavor? Add some lemon zest or even chocolate chips to the batter.
Different Frosting? You could swap vanilla extract for almond, lemon, or even coconut extract.
How to Serve

This cake is amazing just as it is, but you can also:

Serve with fresh berries.
Add a scoop of ice cream.
Drizzle with chocolate sauce.
Or just enjoy a slice with a glass of milk or cup of tea.
That’s it, my friends! You’re now ready to make a vanilla cake that will impress everyone — from your family to your friends. So tie on your apron, grab your mixing bowl, and let’s bake this sweet masterpiece together. 🍰🎂