How to Make a Vanilla Cake

Vanilla cake is a classic and popular cake, shared around the world. Its moist, sweet texture makes people want to eat it again and again. You can top anything on a vanilla cake: fruit, chocolate, fondant, icing, frosting, candies, nuts, marshmallows, sprinkles, spices, and much more. This article has a total of 6 methods of making a vanilla cake, since there are many types of recipes. Scroll down to begin.

Ingredients

Basic Vanilla Cake

  • 1½ cup sifted cake flour
  • 1½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup whole milk

Moist & Fluffy Vanilla Cake

  • 1½ cups (336 grams) salted butter, room temperature
  • 2¼ cups (466 grams) sugar
  • 4 egg whites
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (390 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) milk

Eggless Vanilla Cake

  • 1 cup plain flour
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • A pinch of salt
  • ¼ cup melted butter or vegetable oil
  • 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon any vinegar

Milkless Vanilla Cake

  • 1¾ cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup cold water

Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend + extra for dusting
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1½ cups cow’s milk or rice milk, hot

Vegan Vanilla Cake

  • 1 cup plain soy milk
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

Basic Vanilla Cake

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    1
    Prepare to make the cake. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 204 degrees Celsius. Dust an eight-inch cake pan with flour and spread melted butter or oil over it using a pastry brush.
  2. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 2
    2
    Sift the dry ingredients except the sugar. In a large bowl, sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift well, until the dry ingredients are light and fluffy.
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    Add the butter, one teaspoon at a time. Cut a teaspoon of your butter and add it in the dry ingredients. Blend using an electric blender or hand blender. Continue to do this until all the butter is out. The result should be like loose sand.
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    4
    Add the sugar and eggs. Slowly pour the sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Do not dump all the sugar in at once. To help the vanilla cake stay moist, add each ingredient one at a time. Do the same for the eggs. Blend until well-combined, with the result looking like stiff sand.
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    5
    Pour the vanilla extract and milk. Slowly pour the milk and vanilla extract into the cake batter. Blend until the batter looks glossy and there are no flour streaks.
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    6
    Pour the cake batter in a cake pan. Use a rubber spatula to scrape up all the cake batter into the cake pan.
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    7
    Bake the cake. Place the cake pan into the oven. Have it bake for about 30-35 minutes, which is when the cake springs back when you touch it, and a toothpick comes out dry when you poke the cake.
  8. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 8
    8
    Let the cake cool. Flip the cake pan upside down on a wire rack. To make the cake easier to flip, circle a knife around it. It should pop out. Have the cake cool for about five minutes.
  9. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 9
    9
    Frost the cake. Using your favorite frosting and icing, frost your cake to your liking. You can also add toppings such as sliced fruit, sprinkles, nuts, chocolate chips, and coconut flakes.
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    10
    Enjoy!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

Moist & Fluffy Vanilla Cake

  1. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 11
    1
    Prepare to make the cake. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 176 degrees Celsius. Dust an eight-inch cake pan with flour and spread melted butter or oil over it using a pastry brush.
  2. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 12
    2
    Cream the butter and sugar. Using an electric or hand blender, cream the butter and sugar on medium for about two minutes. The results should have a bright yellow color and should be fluffy.
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    3
    Pour the egg whites and vanilla extract. Add the egg whites and vanilla into the creamed mixture. Blend on medium for one minute.
  4. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 14
    4
    Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda into a bowl. Use a wooden spoon to combine the dry ingredients.
  5. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 15
    5
    Add ⅓ of the flour mixture to the batter. Slowly pour ⅓ of your flour mixture into the creamed mixture.
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    6
    Add ½ of the milk. Add ½ of your milk and add it to the batter. Blend on medium speed.
  7. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 17
    7
    Continue the two steps, pouring the flour mixture and milk. Continue these two steps three times. Ensure you blend each time correctly. This process is what helps the cake stay moist and fluffy.
  8. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 18
    8
    Pour the cake batter in a cake pan. Use a rubber spatula to scrape up all the cake batter into the cake pan.
  9. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 19
    9
    Bake the cake. Place the cake pan into the oven. Have it bake for about 35 minutes, which is when the cake springs back when you touch it, and a toothpick comes out dry when you poke the cake.
  10. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 20
    10
    Let the cake cool. Flip the cake pan upside down on a wire rack. To make the cake easier to flip, circle a knife around it. It should pop out. Have the cake cool for about five minutes.
  11. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 21
    11
    Frost the cake. Using your favorite frosting and icing, frost your cake to your liking. You can also add toppings such as sliced fruit, sprinkles, nuts, chocolate chips, and coconut flakes.
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    12
    Enjoy!
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Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

Eggless Vanilla Cake

  1. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 23
    1
    Prepare to make the cake. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius. Dust an eight-inch cake pan with flour and spread melted butter or oil over it using a pastry brush.
  2. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 24
    2
    Sift the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. In a mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, and baking powder until the dry ingredients are light and fluffy.
  3. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 25
    3
    Add the milk, salt and sugar. Pour the milk, salt, and sugar into the dry ingredients. Blend with a hand blender or electric blender on medium speed.
  4. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 26
    4
    Add the melted butter and vinegar. Pour the melted butter and vinegar into the cake batter and mix again until well-combined. The cake batter should start to look glossy.
  5. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 27
    5
    Pour the cake batter in a cake pan. Use a rubber spatula to scrape up all the cake batter into the cake pan.
  6. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 28
    6
    Bake the cake. Place the cake pan into the oven. Have it bake for about 25-30 minutes, which is when the cake springs back when you touch it, and a toothpick comes out dry when you poke the cake.
  7. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 29
    7
    Let the cake cool. Flip the cake pan upside down on a wire rack. To make the cake easier to flip, circle a knife around it. It should pop out. Have the cake cool for about five minutes.
  8. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 30
    8
    Frost the cake. Using your favorite frosting and icing, frost your cake to your liking. You can also add toppings such as sliced fruit, sprinkles, nuts, chocolate chips, and coconut flakes.
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    9
    Enjoy!
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Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

Milkless Vanilla Cake

  1. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 32
    1
    Prepare to make the cake. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius. Dust an eight- or nine-inch cake pan with flour and spread melted butter or oil over it using a pastry brush.
  2. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 33
    2
    Mix all the ingredients with a blender. Add all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and blend well with an electric or hand blender. Ensure that you mix well; there should be no flour streaks. The end result should be light yellow and glossy.
  3. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 34
    3
    Pour the cake batter in a cake pan. Use a rubber spatula to scrape up all the cake batter into the cake pan.
  4. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 35
    4
    Bake the cake. Place the cake pan into the oven. Have it bake for about 30-35 minutes, which is when the cake springs back when you touch it, and a toothpick comes out dry when you poke the cake.
  5. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 36
    5
    Let the cake cool. Flip the cake pan upside down on a wire rack. To make the cake easier to flip, circle a knife around it. It should pop out. Have the cake cool for about five minutes.
  6. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 37
    6
    Frost the cake. Using your favorite frosting and icing, frost your cake to your liking. You can also add toppings such as sliced fruit, sprinkles, nuts, chocolate chips, and coconut flakes.
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    7
    Enjoy!
    8. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Gluten Free Vanilla Cake

  1. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 39
    1
    Prepare to make the cake. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius. Spray a cake pan that is 9 by 13 with melted butter or oil using a pastry brush. Dust with gluten-free flour.
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    2
    Cream the butter and sugar. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar with a hand blender or electric blender until light and fluffy
  3. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 41
    3
    Add eggs and vanilla extract. Crack the eggs and pour the vanilla into your creamed mixture. Blend again, making sure there are no egg streaks in your creamed mixture.
  4. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 42
    4
    Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add the baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt, and gluten free flour into a large bowl. Use a wooden spoon to combine the dry ingredients. Mix until well-combined.
  5. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 43
    5
    Add half of the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Pour half of the dry ingredients mixture into the creamed mixture. Blend on slow speed for about a minute, until there are no more flour streaks.
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    6
    Add milk and the rest of the dry ingredients. Pour the rest of the dry ingredients and add only one-half of the milk. Blend on slow speed until the batter is mixed properly. When the cake batter has been combined well, pour the rest of the milk and mix again. The end result should be slightly stiff and glossy.
  7. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 45
    7
    Pour the cake batter in cake pan. Use a rubber spatula to scrape up all the cake batter into the cake pan.
  8. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 46
    8
    Bake the cake. Place the cake pan into the oven. Have it bake for about 35 minutes, which is when the cake springs back when you touch it, and a toothpick comes out dry when you poke the cake.
  9. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 47
    9
    Let the cake cool. Flip the cake pan upside down on a wire rack. To make the cake easier to flip, circle a knife around it. It should pop out. Have the cake cool for about five minutes.
  10. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 48
    10
    Frost the cake. Using your favorite frosting and icing, frost your cake to your liking. You can also add toppings such as sliced fruit, sprinkles, nuts, chocolate chips, and coconut flakes.
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    11
    Enjoy!
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Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Vegan Vanilla Cake

  1. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 50
    1
    Prepare to make the cake. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius. Cover a cake pan that is eight-inches with melted butter or oil using a pastry brush. Dust with flour.
  2. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 51
    2
    Mix soy milk and vinegar. In a mixing bowl, use a whisk or fork to mix the soy milk and vinegar together.
  3. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 52
    3
    Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda into a large mixing bowl. Use a wooden spoon to combine the dry ingredients together.
  4. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 53
    4
    Add the wet ingredients into the soy milk mixture. Pour the almond extract, vanilla extract, lemon juice, water, and apple cider vinegar. Mix them together using a whisk or fork, until properly combined.
  5. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 54
    5
    Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon to mix the cake batter. For a faster results, you can also use an electric or hand blender. Mix until cake is a light yellow in color and is glossy.
  6. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 55
    6
    Pour the cake batter in cake pan. Use a rubber spatula to scrape up all the cake batter into the cake pan.
  7. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 56
    7
    Bake the cake. Place the cake pan into the oven. Have it bake for about 35 minutes, which is when the cake springs back when you touch it, and a toothpick comes out dry when you poke the cake.
  8. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 57
    8
    Let the cake cool. Flip the cake pan upside down on a wire rack. To make the cake easier to flip, circle a knife around it. It should pop out. Have the cake cool for about five minutes.
  9. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 58
    9
    Frost the cake. Using your favorite frosting and icing, frost your cake to your liking. You can also add toppings such as sliced fruit, sprinkles, nuts, chocolate chips, and coconut flakes.
  10. Image titled Make a Vanilla Cake Step 59
    10
    Enjoy!
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Can I add cocoa powder to the cake?
    Qamar
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Yes, you may, but this will make it a chocolate cake instead of vanilla, and you will need to add more sugar if the powder is unsweetened.
  • Question
    How long will my cake take to cool?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The vanilla cake should cool completely in about an hour or two.
  • Question
    What can I use instead of baking soda?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can use baking powder in its place. Just use three times as much baking powder as you would baking soda.
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Warnings

  • Be careful not to over-mix the cake batter or it will cause the cake to be rubbery and hard. At the same time, avoid under-mixing as well, or you will find flour streaks in your cake.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Take caution when baking your cake. Leaving it longer than needed will cause it to burn and blacken.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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Things You'll Need

For Method 1

  • Pastry brush
  • Oven
  • Cake pan
  • Sifter
  • Cutting knife
  • Hand or electric blender
  • Mixing bowl
  • Rubber spatula
  • Wire rack
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Serving plate

For Method 2

  • Pastry brush
  • Oven
  • Cake pan
  • Electric or hand blender
  • 2 mixing bowls
  • Rubber spatula
  • Wire rack
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Serving plate

For Method 3

  • Pastry brush
  • Oven
  • Cake pan
  • Sifter
  • Hand blender or electric blender
  • Mixing bowl
  • Rubber spatula
  • Wire rack
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Serving plate

For Method 4

  • Oven
  • Pastry brush
  • Cake pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Hand blender or electric blender
  • Rubber spatula
  • Wire rack
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Serving plate

For Method 5

  • Pastry brush
  • Oven
  • Cake pan
  • Hand blender or electric blender
  • Mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon
  • Rubber spatula
  • Wire rack
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Serving plate

For Method 6

  • Pastry brush
  • Oven
  • Whisk or fork
  • 2 mixing bowls
  • Wooden spoon or blender
  • Rubber spatula
  • Wire rack
  • Serving plate

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References

  1. http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/recipes/a871/basic-vanilla-cake-69/
  2. http://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/2015/08/19/moist-and-fluffy-vanilla-cake/
  3. http://www.premascook.com/2013/02/simple-eggless-vanilla-cake-recipe-with.html
  4. http://www.glutenfreeandmore.com/recipes/Gluten-Free-Vanilla-Cake-1417-1.html
  5. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/231616/vegan-basic-vanilla-cake/

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 65,092 times.
28 votes - 73%
Co-authors: 12
Updated: May 6, 2021
Views: 65,092
Categories: Cakes
Article SummaryX

To make a vanilla cake, start by dusting an 8-inch cake pan with flour, and using a pastry brush to spread melted butter or oil over it. Then, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Next, use your mixer to blend in 1 tablespoon of butter at a time, until the mixture looks like loose sand. After that, add 1 tablespoon of sugar at a time, then 1 egg at a time, before adding the milk and vanilla. Finally, pour the batter into the cake pan and bake it in a 400°oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. To learn how to make a gluten-free or vegan vanilla cake, keep reading!

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