Save yourself a trip to the store, and make this simple vanilla cake recipe at home.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
There is a universal love for cake.
Be sure to use unsalted butter when mixing to help maintain control over the salt levels in the cake.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Regular granulated sugar works best in this recipe.
Eggs:Eggs help the cake in various ways, including providing stability and leavening.
Before incorporating eggs into a batter, ensure they areat room temperature.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This simple shift will lead to a softer texture in your baked cake.
If you dont have buttermilk on hand, consider using one of our handy substitutions fromthis guide.
Vanilla extract:What is vanilla cake without the addition of vanilla flavoring?
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Even if you opt for achocolate cakeor another flavor, vanilla extract will likely be used still.
It helps enhance the whole cake’s flavor.
How To Bake a Cake in 7 Easy Steps
Step 1.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Prepare the pan
Start by turning on your oven and setting it to preheat to 350F.
Then, grab your 8-by 8-inch baking pan.
Coat it with butter or cooking spray, and cover with a fine dusting of flour.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
The parchment paper will help lift the cake from the pan later.
Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Step 2.
Mix on high until the butter-sugar mixture is light and fluffy.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This will take about 3 minutes.
You won’t be able to get the butter and sugar properly creamed by mixing by hand.
Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
A mixer will sling some of the sugar-butter mixture on the sides as it goes.
You want to confirm it’s all well incorporated before adding the dry ingredients in the next step.
Step 3.
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Combine dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
Whisk them together so they’re well incorporated before adding them to the wet ingredients in the next step.
Instead, spoon flour into the measuring cup, then level it off .
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Step 4.
Combine ingredients
once you nail the dry ingredients combined, grab the buttermilk.
Turn the speed on the stand mixer to low.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
(If it’s too high, you could send flour flying everywhere.)
Add about 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the stand mixer.
Let it mix together for a few seconds, then add 1/2 of the buttermilk.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Repeat with the remaining flour and buttermilk.
You’ll want to add in about 3 rounds, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
This will help ensure all the ingredients are well combined.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Again, stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl if you’re gonna wanna.
You don’t want to leave dry flour on the sides.
It may not combine well with the full batter once it’s in the pan.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Finally, add the vanilla extract, and mix just until combined.
Step 5.
Use a spatula to scrape all the batter out of the mixing bowl.
Then, use the spatula or the back of a spoon to evenly distribute the batter around the pan.
Step 6.
Bake the cake
Slide the cake pan into the preheated oven, and set a timer for 25 minutes.
Step 7.
Cool and frost
When the cake is fully baked, remove it from the oven.
Let it rest and cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
Let it cool complete on the wire rack, about 1 hour.
Then, move it to a wire cooling rack, and let it cool completely, about 1 hour.
Once the cake is completely cooled, top with your favoritefrosting, glaze, or other decorative elements.
Another common issue with baking a cake is over-mixing the batter.
Finally, remember to let your cake cool completely before icing it.
If possible, chill the cake before frosting to verify your cake sets up as firm as possible.
For more information on why this is important, check outthis insightful articleon cake decorating success.
Frequently Asked Cake Questions
Think you’re ready to bake a cake?
This recipe makes enough for 16 standard cupcakes.
Can I make the cake in advance?
The cake will also stay good in the freezer for up to a month.
What are some great ways to serve this vanilla cake?
There are a variety of ways to use this cake.
Ingredients
1cup(232 grams)granulated sugar
8Tbsp.
(11 grams)baking powder
1/4tsp.
(3 grams)table salt
2/3cup(170 milliliters)buttermilk
2tsp.
In a separate bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.
Scrape down sides of the bowl with a spatula after each addition.
Mix just until combined.
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Let cake cool in pan for 15 minutes.
If desired, remove cake from pan.
you could also leave it in the pan if desired.
Let cool completely on a wire rack for 1 hour before frosting the cake.
Cut cake into 9 slices; and serve.
