This recipe delivers a fairly classic white cake with a tender crumb and sweet, vanilla flavor.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A good white cake is versatile and welcome at all occasions.

This simple white cake requires no special techniquesno whipping egg whites to stiff peaks, for example.

Southern Living Simple White Cake sliced on plates to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

The cake also uses a combination of butter for richness and oil for more moisture.

Buttermilk interacts with the leaveners to make the cake fluffier and give the layers more rise.

It also deepens the flavor, making something as simple as white cake truly special.

Southern Living Simple White Cake ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Learn how to make a whitecake from scratch, and then pick thetype of frostingyou want most with it.

We have lots of suggestions.

White Cake Vs.

Southern Living Simple White Cake sliced and ready to serve

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Most classic vanilla cakes use the whole egg, which creates a cake that is more creamy and yellow.

Does white cake taste like vanilla?

Yes, white cake usually uses vanilla extract for vanilla flavor.

Southern Living Simple White Cake preparing the pans

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Some white cakes may use almond extract for that flavor instead.

Once frosted, you may need to move the white cake to the fridge.

Some frostings need the cold storage, and some don’t.

Southern Living Simple White Cake whisking together the dry ingredients

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Buttercream, for example, can be left out for a day or two.

Can You Freeze White Cake?

Yes, you’re able to freeze white cake layers up to three months.

Southern Living Simple White Cake beating the butter until creamy

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Cover in storage wrap, then aluminum foil, and store in a zip-top bag.

Defrost overnight in the fridge or on the counter for an hour before frosting and decorating.

Pick whatever matches your mood or your event.

Southern Living Simple Vanilla Cake adding the oil and sugar to the batter

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Add batter to pans:

Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans.

Cool cake layers:

Cool cakes in pans on a wire rack for 5 minutes.

Carefully turn out cakes from pans; remove parchment paper and cool completely.

Southern Living Simple White Cake after adding the egg whites to the batter

Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Simple White Cake after finishing the batter

Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Simple White Cake dividing the batter between the two pans

Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Simple White Cake in pans cooling on cooling rack

Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Simple White Cake after turning the cake out of the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox