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A piece of cake with white frosting sits on a small round plate with a silver spoon.

Vanilla Cake Recipe

If you're searching for the ultimate vanilla cake recipe, you’re in the right place. This is the only vanilla cake recipe you'll ever need — soft, moist, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to weddings.
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 459kcal
Author: Anna

Equipment

  • Digital kitchen scale
  • 2 Mixing bowls
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer with a whisk attachment or a hand mixer
  • Rubber spatula
  • Whisk
  • 3 6" (15cm) cake pans
  • Parchment paper
  • Plastic wrap

Ingredients

For the sponge

  • 100 g cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 50 g vegetable oil
  • 75 ml whole milk at room temperature
  • 3 large eggs yolks and whites separated
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar or lemon juice
  • 130 g white sugar 50g for egg yolks and 80g to whip egg whites

For the frosting

  • 300 g mascarpone cheese cold
  • 300 ml cream cheese cold
  • 120 ml heavy cream cold
  • 90 g powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

For the sponge

  • Preheat your oven to 160C (325F) and prepare three 6” (15cm) cake pans by lining the bottoms with parchment paper. Keep the sides ungreased.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer and a bowl), add the egg whites, cream of tartar, and 80g of sugar. Whip on medium-high speed to stiff peaks.
  • In a separate bowl, add the egg yolks, the remaining 50g of sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is pale yellow. Then, add the oil and milk and whisk to a homogeneous consistency.
  • Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into the egg yolk mixture in 2–3 batches, whisking in between each addition until you have a smooth, lump-free batter.
  • Using a rubber spatula, fold ⅓ of the egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture until well combined.
  • Then, add the remaining egg whites and gently fold until the batter reaches a homogeneous consistency.
  • Pour the cake batter into the prepared pans and tap them several times against a flat surface to remove large air bubbles. Additionally, run a knife or a long toothpick through the batter to eliminate any remaining large air bubbles.
  • Bake for approximately 30–35 minutes, or until the top is springy to the touch and golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Do not open the oven during the first 30 minutes of baking.
  • Remove from the oven and let the cakes cool until you can safely handle the pans.
  • Run an offset spatula along the sides of each pan to release the cakes. Wrap the cakes in plastic wrap (while they are still a bit warm) and refrigerate until cold.

For the cream

  • Place all the ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or use a hand mixer). Mix on low speed until no dry powdered sugar remains. Then, beat on medium speed to a homogeneous consistency. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue beating until thick and fluffy.
  • Assembling the cake
  • Place the first cake layer on a plate and add ¼ of the cream on top. Spread evenly and place the second layer on top. Repeat the process.
  • Place the final cake layer on top and spread cream over the top and sides of the cake as a crumb coat. Refrigerate the cake for 2 hours. You can also wrap the cake in plastic wrap and leave it in the fridge overnight to assemble the next day. In that case, keep the remaining cream in a sealed piping bag in the fridge.
  • When well chilled, apply the final frosting and decorate to your taste. I went for a semi-naked look and used the remaining cream for piping decorations on top of the cake. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight before serving.

Video

Notes

Store the cake in an airtight container (or covered with plastic wrap) in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze the cake layers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the frisge overnight before assembling the cake.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Vanilla Cake Recipe
Serving Size
 
1 serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
459
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
34
g
52
%
Saturated Fat
 
18
g
113
%
Trans Fat
 
0.04
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Cholesterol
 
123
mg
41
%
Sodium
 
795
mg
35
%
Potassium
 
91
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
 
29
g
10
%
Fiber
 
0.2
g
1
%
Sugar
 
11
g
12
%
Protein
 
7
g
14
%
Vitamin A
 
1068
IU
21
%
Vitamin C
 
0.1
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
120
mg
12
%
Iron
 
0.4
mg
2
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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