Vanilla Layer Cake
The ultimate vanilla layer cake recipe with tender, buttery layers and creamy vanilla buttercream frosting. Moist, fluffy, and easy to bake so it's perfect for any celebration!
Ingredients
For the vanilla cake:
- 3 cups (375 grams) cake flour
- 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup (170 grams) salted butter , softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup (56 grams) vegetable oil (or other neutral-flavored oil)
- 1 ¼ cups (300 grams) buttermilk , at room temperature, divided
- 2 large whole eggs , at room temperature
- 4 large egg yolks , at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the vanilla frosting:
- 5 ½ cups (630 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups (340 grams) butter , softened at room temperature
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) half and half or heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract , or vanilla bean paste
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
To make the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two or three 8 or 9-inch cake pans with nonstick baking spray or butter and flour, and line with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Add the butter, vegetable oil, and 1 cup of the buttermilk. Mix on low speed until moistened, then increase the speed to medium high and beat until light and creamy, about 4 minutes total. Stop and scrape the bowl down at least once.
- Whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, remaining ¼ cup of the buttermilk, and the vanilla extract in a bowl or liquid measuring cup.
- Add the egg mixture to the mixer in 3 additions, mixing only until incorporated and scraping the bowl down between each addition.
- Divide the batter between the prepared pans, about 1lb 8 oz/680 grams of batter in each pan. Bake for 32-35 minutes, or until tops are golden and slightly domed. When gently pressed with a finger, the tops of the cake should bounce back. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting:
- Add powdered sugar, butter, cream, vanilla (or vanilla bean paste) and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium high speed until combined and super creamy, which can take 3-5 minutes. You'll need to scrape down the bowl a few times to make sure it's smooth and uniform. If needed, add cream/half and half a little at a time to get the consistency you want.
To assemble cake:
- If cake layers are domed, carefully remove the tops with a serrated knife. They should be cooled completely, and will slice more easily if chilled.
- Place one layer on a plate or cake stand. Cover with 1-2 cups of the frosting (depending on if you are using 2 or 3 cake layers). Repeat with remaining cake layers and cover the top and sides of the cake with the frosting. Decorate as you'd like!
- Serve immediately or as desired, though the cake will be its best within 2 days of assembly.
Notes
- Prep cake layers in advance and store wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 2 days and in the freezer (double wrapped) for up to 3 months. Assemble cake layers while cold from the fridge, and thaw frozen cakes in the fridge overnight still in their plastic wrap before using. See my tutorial on how to store cake layers for more detailed info.
- Prep the frosting in advance and store at room temperature for several days, in the fridge for 1-2 weeks, or in the freezer for several months. For best results, beat frosting until smooth before using, adding a bit more cream if needed to get the right texture.
Calories: 627kcal, Carbohydrates: 85g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 31g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 146mg, Sodium: 437mg, Potassium: 140mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 67g, Vitamin A: 1006IU, Vitamin C: 0.03mg, Calcium: 73mg, Iron: 1mg
Have you tried this recipe?I’d love to hear about it! Leave a rating and review below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram @completelydelicious with #completelydelicious.
