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The Best Homemade Vanilla Cake

A soft, moist, bakery-quality vanilla cake made completely from scratch using real butter, buttermilk, and pure vanilla.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 390

Ingredients
  

Cake Batter
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1.75 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs large, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
Frosting
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 1.5 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking pans
  • Wire rack
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
  5. Mix in dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk.
  6. Divide batter between pans and bake 25–30 minutes.
  7. Cool completely on wire racks.
  8. Beat butter, powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla to make frosting.
  9. Frost cake layers and serve.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best texture.