Light Fluffy Vanilla Cake (Printable View)
Light and fluffy vanilla cake perfect for sharing at gatherings and special occasions.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
09 - 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
→ Optional Frosting
10 - 4 cups powdered sugar
11 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 2-3 tablespoons milk
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
14 - Pinch of salt
# Cooking Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
07 - Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
09 - Beat together powdered sugar and butter until well combined. Add vanilla and milk, one tablespoon at a time, until smooth and spreadable.
10 - Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Slice and serve.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The texture is incredibly light and tender, almost like eating a cloud
- It comes together quickly with ingredients you probably already have
- This cake travels beautifully and stays moist for days
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients are non negotiable for achieving that fluffy texture
- Over mixing the batter once you add the flour will make the cake tough, so stop as soon as everything is combined
- The cake must be completely cool before frosting or the frosting will melt into a sad puddle
03 -
- Invest in good vanilla extract because it truly makes all the difference in the final flavor
- Rotate the pan halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots