Moist Vanilla Cake Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
2 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
Every ingredient has its role. Butter for richness, milk for tenderness, and vanilla for that fragrant, nostalgic flavor that transports you to happy places just like the soft sweetness found in Japanese milk bread.
Step by Step Guide to Moist Vanilla Cake Perfection
1: Prep Your Oven and Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment circles for easy removal.
2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is key for incorporating air into the batter for a soft crumb.
3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
Stir in the vanilla extract to infuse the batter with fragrant sweetness.
4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution and prevents clumping.
5: Mix Wet and Dry Alternately
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients for the most stable batter.
Mix gently and stop as soon as everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to dense cakes.
6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans and smooth the tops.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through for even baking.
The cakes are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
7: Cool and Frost
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Frost with your favorite vanilla buttercream, whipped cream, or enjoy it plain for a simple treat.
