Classic Vanilla Cake with Dreamy Frosting. Perfect for Birthdays!

Craving a slice of pure vanilla heaven? This recipe is your answer! We're baking a cloud-light vanilla cake bursting with real vanilla flavor, then smothering it in a dreamy homemade buttercream frosting. It's the perfect canvas for any celebration, or just a sweet treat that screams "comfort food." This recipe is easy enough for beginners, but yields bakery-worthy results that will have everyone asking for seconds. So preheat your oven, grab the vanilla extract, and get ready to bake a cake that's as timeless as it is delicious!

Author: Casandra Means

Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Yield: 12-14 slices

Category: Cake

Method: Baking

Cuisine: American

Ingredients:

Cake:

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• 4 large eggs at room temperature

• 1 1/4 cups milk at room temperature

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:

• 2 1/2 cups unsalted butter at room temperature

• 10 cups powdered sugar

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• 6–8 tbsp heavy cream

• Pinch of salt

• Sprinkles, for decorating

• Food coloring, for decorating (Optional)

Directions:

For the Cake:

1. Prepare two 9 inch cake pans with parchment paper circles in the bottom and grease the sides. Preheat oven to 350°F

2. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside.

3. Add the butter, sugar, oil and vanilla extract to a hand or electric mixer, beat together until light in color and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until mostly combined after each. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated.

5. Add half of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until mostly combined.

6. Slowly add the milk and mix until well combined.

7. Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated. Do not over mix the batter.

8. Divide the batter evenly between the cakes pans and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.

9. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool for about 2-3 minutes, then remove to cooling racks to cool completely.

Dreamy Frosting:

To make the frosting, mix the butter until smooth.

1. Slowly add half of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.

2. Add the vanilla extract, 4-5 tablespoons of heavy cream, and salt and mix until smooth.

3. Slowly add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add additional heavy cream, as needed to get the correct consistency of frosting.

4. If you plan on adding color to your frosting, just simply pick the colors you want. Separate into different bowls per color. Add a few drops of food coloring and stir.

Assemble the Cake:

1. To put the cake together, use a large, serrated knife to remove the top of the cakes so that they’re flat. These cakes don’t have a large dome, but I feel it is best to make sure they’re completely flat.

2. Place the first cake on a serving plate or a cardboard cake round.

3. Spread about 1/2 to 1 cup of frosting evenly on top of the cake.

4. Add the second layer of cake.

5. Frost the outside of the cake (I used a Turntable Cake Stand I bought at Walmart).

6. Press sprinkles into the sides of the cake.

7. Add a few more sprinkles to the top of the cake. Store in an air-tight container. The cake is best for 3-4 days.