Enjoy the delicious taste of homemade vanilla cake that’s moist and full of vanilla flavor. This simple recipe is great for any celebration or just a sweet treat. It’s all about the cake flour, which makes the cake light and delicate.
Separating the egg whites is key for a cake that’s fluffy and tender. The mix of unsalted butter, vanilla, and a bit of almond extract gives it a rich taste. This recipe is perfect for both new and experienced bakers, becoming a family favorite.
Decadent Homemade Vanilla Cake
Tender Crumb and Delightful Flavor
Prepare to delight in the wonderful taste of a moist, fluffy homemade vanilla cake. This recipe, perfected over years, delivers a tender crumb and a delightful vanilla flavor. The secret lies in using cake flour, which has less protein than all-purpose flour, resulting in a soft and delicate cake.
A blend of vanilla and almond extracts enhances the flavor, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas. Meanwhile, egg whites contribute to the cake’s light and airy texture, while unsalted butter and vegetable oil keep it moist and fluffy.
Perfecting the vanilla taste took months of experimentation and adjustment, but the result is a homemade cake recipe that’s ideal for any special occasion or simply as a sweet treat. You can decorate it in various ways, from colorful frostings to elegant buttercream rosettes, making it as beautiful as it is delicious.
| Key Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Cake Flour | Contributes to the tender crumb |
| Unsalted Butter | Enhances the richness and flavor |
| Vanilla and Almond Extracts | Provides a delightful vanilla aroma |
| Egg Whites | Yields a light and airy texture |
Get ready for the perfect mix of moist, fluffy, and homemade vanilla dessert goodness with this recipe.
Ingredients
Making a homemade vanilla cake starts with picking the right ingredients. This recipe needs a mix of top-quality items for a soft crumb and great taste.
The main ingredients for this vanilla cake are:
- Cake flour – Cake flour makes the cake soft and delicate.
- Baking powder – This leavening agent makes the cake light and fluffy.
- Salt – A little salt boosts the cake’s flavor.
- Unsalted butter – Unsalted butter lets you control the salt level. If using salted butter, skip the extra salt.
- Granulated sugar – This sugar makes the cake sweet and tender.
- Vanilla extract – Vanilla extract gives the cake its classic taste.
- Almond extract – A bit of almond extract adds depth to the vanilla flavor.
- Egg whites – Beating egg whites makes the cake light and airy.
- Whole milk – Milk adds moisture and richness to the cake.
With these key ingredients and careful mixing, you’re set to bake a tasty homemade vanilla cake.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this delicious homemade vanilla dessert is easy and fun. First, set your oven to 350°F. Then, line a 10×15-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prepare it for the batter.
Next, in a large bowl, mix together your dry ingredients: 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Set this mixture aside for later.
In a stand mixer, beat together 1/2 cup of softened butter, 2 cups of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup of vegetable oil until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes on high speed. Then, add 2 whole large eggs and 2 egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Now, gradually mix in the flour mixture and 1 1/3 cups of whole milk into the batter, alternating between the two. Be sure to mix just until everything is combined after each addition.
Once your batter is ready, pour it into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know the cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
With these simple vanilla cake baking instructions, you can make a wonderful homemade treat. Enjoy the soft texture and great taste of your freshly baked homemade vanilla cake!
Frosting and Decorating Ideas
This homemade vanilla dessert is perfect for many frostings and decorations. You can choose from classic buttercream or light whipped cream. These options make the cake’s taste and look even better.
Complementary Buttercream Frosting
For a richer vanilla taste, top the cake with creamy buttercream frosting. Start by creaming unsalted butter until it’s light and fluffy. Then, add confectioners’ sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a bit of salt slowly.
This makes a frosting that’s both rich and matches the cake’s soft texture and taste.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter | 2 cups |
| Confectioners’ Sugar | 6 large egg whites |
| Milk | 2-3 tablespoons |
| Vanilla Extract | 2 teaspoons |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
You can use the buttercream to cover the whole cake or just the top and sides. This lets the vanilla cake’s beauty stand out.
As you can also prepare the vanilla cake with cream cheese! The rich, tangy flavor of cream cheese pairs perfectly with the light, sweet vanilla cake. You can use cream cheese in the frosting to add a creamy, slightly tangy layer that complements the vanilla flavor beautifully. This combination makes for a deliciously moist and flavorful dessert.
There are many ways to decorate the vanilla cake, like with sprinkles, fresh fruit, or a dusting of confectioners’ sugar. You can make the cake your own and create a dessert that’s truly special.
FAQ
What makes this homemade vanilla cake recipe unique?
This vanilla cake stands out because it uses cake flour, not all-purpose flour. It also has unsalted butter, vanilla, and almond extracts for a deep flavor. Plus, separating the egg whites makes it light and fluffy.
What are the main ingredients in this homemade vanilla cake recipe?
The main ingredients are cake flour, baking powder, salt, unsalted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, egg whites, and whole milk.
How do the instructions for baking this homemade vanilla cake begin?
First, preheat the oven to 350°F. Then, line a 10×15-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
What are some topping and frosting options for this homemade vanilla cake?
You can top it with Stabilized Whipped Cream frosting for a light touch. Or, for a deeper vanilla taste, use Complementary Buttercream Frosting.