Description
You need a foolproof recipe for a moist, soft, and fluffy vanilla layer cake perfect for birthdays and special occasions. This classic recipe, complete with a rich vanilla buttercream frosting, delivers bakery-style results every time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature (for extra moisture)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper circles.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add the sour cream and mix on medium speed for about 30 seconds until the batter is smooth and fluffy. Do not overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, frost the layers with your favorite creamy vanilla buttercream frosting.
Notes
- For the softest crumb, make sure your eggs, milk, and sour cream are at true room temperature.
- To achieve bakery-style results, use high-quality pure vanilla extract.
- You can make this a vanilla sheet cake by baking it in a greased and floured 9×13 inch pan for 35-40 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 75