Description
This Perfect Vanilla Cake is a soft, moist, and flavorful classic layered cake made from scratch, ideal for birthdays and celebrations. It features a tender crumb and rich vanilla flavor, paired perfectly with creamy buttercream frosting.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans and set aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix butter, oil, and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add in vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Add baking powder and salt, mixing to incorporate.
- Turn mixer to low and add flour in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
- Mix in sour cream until batter is smooth, scraping sides of the bowl as needed.
- Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Notes
- Make sure ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Do not overmix the batter once flour is added to avoid a dense cake.
- You can freeze cake layers for up to 30 days before frosting.
- Pairs well with vanilla or chocolate buttercream frosting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of recipe)
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
