Description
Homemade vanilla cake delivers pure comfort with classic sweetness and nostalgic charm. Delicate layers promise pure indulgence, welcoming you to savor each tender, delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Flour, Sugar, Leavening):
- 2 ¾ cups (330 grams) cake flour
- 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 ¾ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk, at room temperature
Flavoring:
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C). Coat two 9-inch circular baking vessels or one 9×13-inch rectangular pan with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
- Utilize an electric mixer to transform softened butter and granulated sugar into a pillowy, aerated mixture through vigorous blending for 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly integrating each before adding the next. Introduce vanilla extract, ensuring complete distribution throughout the creamy base.
- Create a separate mixture of cake flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking gently to combine dry ingredients uniformly.
- Methodically introduce dry ingredient mixture into the butter-sugar emulsion, interspersing with milk. Maintain a gentle folding technique, alternating between dry components and liquid, beginning and concluding with dry ingredients. Mix cautiously to preserve batter’s delicate texture.
- Distribute batter evenly across prepared baking vessels, smoothing surfaces with a spatula to ensure uniform thickness and consistent baking.
- Position pans in preheated oven, allowing cake to transform for 25-30 minutes. Validate doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge pristine and free of raw batter.
- Extract cakes from oven, permitting initial cooling within baking vessels for approximately 10 minutes. Transfer to wire cooling rack, allowing complete temperature reduction before embellishing with frosting or presenting.
Notes
- Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
- Use fresh, high-quality vanilla extract for a more pronounced and rich flavor profile.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake; stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined.
- For a gluten-free version, swap cake flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for improved structure.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 321
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 83 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 89 mg