If you’ve ever wished for the perfect write-up on a cake that’s both timeless and irresistibly delicious, you’re in the right place. This Vanilla Butter Cake Recipe is a celebration of simple but luxurious flavors, offering a moist, tender crumb that melts in your mouth every time. With its soft, buttery texture and just the right hint of vanilla, it’s the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug on any occasion. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this cake is straightforward to make and sure to become a beloved staple in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Vanilla Butter Cake Recipe lies in its humble, everyday ingredients that come together to create something truly special. Each component plays a vital role — from the creamy butter that gives richness, to the vanilla extract that fills the batter with aromatic warmth, making this cake a delightful treat to the senses.
- 1 cup butter (softened): Provides the rich, creamy base essential for a tender crumb and moist texture.
- 2 ½ cups sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a soft, airy texture when creamed with butter.
- 5 large eggs: Adds structure and moisture, binding the batter and giving body to the cake.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: The backbone of this recipe, providing the cake’s shape and substance.
- 1 tsp baking powder: Ensures the cake rises gently, making it light and fluffy.
- ¼ tsp salt: Balances and enhances the sweetness while bringing out all the flavors.
- ¾ cup half-and-half: Adds moisture and tenderizes the crumb for that perfect softness.
- 1½ Tbsp vanilla extract: Infuses every bite with a warm, classic vanilla flavor.
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting): Creates a smooth, sweet frosting that complements the cake beautifully.
- 3 to 4 Tbsp milk (for frosting): Adjusts frosting consistency for easy spreading or piping.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting): Elevates the frosting with deep vanilla notes.
- 1 tsp meringue powder (for frosting): Stabilizes the frosting, giving it a light, fluffy texture.
How to Make Vanilla Butter Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 325ºF — a temperature that allows the cake to cook evenly without drying out. Generously spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray that contains flour; this prevents sticking and ensures your cake has those lovely defined shapes when you unmold it later.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat your softened butter until it’s creamy and smooth. Then gradually add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, which helps your cake achieve that soft, airy texture we all love.
Step 3: Add Eggs One at a Time
Next, add your eggs one by one, mixing just until each is blended in before adding the next. This careful mixing ensures the batter stays well combined without becoming dense, setting the stage for a tender crumb.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Add Alternate with Half-and-Half
Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt — this aerates the dry ingredients and removes any lumps, contributing to a smooth batter. Then, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with the half-and-half, beginning and ending with the flour. Beat on low speed just enough to blend after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract last for that beautiful fragrant hint.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into your prepared Bundt pan and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes. The cake is done when a long wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove to the rack and cool completely for about 30 minutes.
Step 6: Prepare the Frosting
While the cake cools, beat together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and meringue powder until the frosting becomes light and fluffy. This frosting has a wonderful silky texture and perfectly complements the richness of the cake.
Step 7: Frost the Cake
Spoon the frosting generously over your cooled cake. The swirls and dollops will look gorgeous on the Bundt’s curves, adding sweetness and a lovely finishing touch that invites everyone to dig in.
How to Serve Vanilla Butter Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like fresh berries, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or a few delicate edible flowers add a pop of color and freshness without overwhelming the cake’s buttery vanilla flavor. Toasted almond slivers or a light drizzle of caramel sauce can also elevate this classic dessert beautifully.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to round out the silky sweetness. Fresh fruit compotes such as strawberry or blueberry can add a tangy contrast that awakens the palate alongside each bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing and layering the cake with whipped cream and fresh fruit for a quick trifle twist or cutting into bite-sized cubes threaded onto skewers for a fun dessert bite display. You can also spread the frosting between thin cake layers to build a multi-tiered delight!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The Vanilla Butter Cake Recipe stays moist and delicious stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keeping it covered prevents it from drying out and maintains that tender crumb you worked so hard to achieve.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. It’s best to freeze unfrosted cake to keep the texture fresh and frost it just before serving.
Reheating
To refresh a slice of cake, warm it gently in the microwave for about 10 seconds or at a low oven temperature wrapped in foil for 10-15 minutes. This will bring back the softness without drying it out, making each serving taste like it was freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour for this Vanilla Butter Cake Recipe?
All-purpose flour works best here for the right balance of structure and tenderness. Using cake flour will make the cake even more delicate, but using bread flour or whole wheat flour might affect the texture and rise.
Is it necessary to use meringue powder in the frosting?
Meringue powder helps stabilize the frosting, giving it that fluffy and light consistency. If you don’t have it, you can omit it, but the frosting might be slightly softer and less stable over time.
Can I make this Vanilla Butter Cake Recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend designed for cakes. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to maintain the cake’s structure and moisture.
What’s the best way to know when the cake is done?
Insert a long wooden pick or toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it, your cake is perfectly baked and ready to come out of the oven.
Can I add flavors or mix-ins to this Vanilla Butter Cake Recipe?
Absolutely! While the classic vanilla flavor is the star, you can fold in fresh fruit, chocolate chips, or citrus zest to personalize your cake. Just be mindful of how much you add, so it doesn’t disrupt the batter’s balance.
Final Thoughts
This Vanilla Butter Cake Recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration of simple ingredients turning into something extraordinary. Whenever you need a cake that satisfies without fuss, this recipe will be your go-to for celebrations, cozy afternoons, or any time your sweet tooth calls. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how this cake quickly becomes a cherished favorite among everyone you share it with.
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Vanilla Butter Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This classic Vanilla Butter Cake features a moist, tender crumb complemented by a smooth, creamy vanilla frosting. Baked to perfection in a Bundt pan, it’s a delightful dessert that’s perfect for celebrations or a simple treat with tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 2 ½ cups sugar
- 5 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup half-and-half
- 1½ Tbsp vanilla extract
Frosting
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 to 4 Tbsp milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp meringue powder
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325ºF. Spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray combined with flour to ensure the cake does not stick. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates a good texture for the batter.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition to incorporate them smoothly without overmixing.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to remove any lumps and to evenly distribute the baking powder and salt through the flour.
- Mix Batter: Alternately add the sifted dry ingredients and half-and-half to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition to keep the batter light and aerated. Stir in the vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted into the cake’s center comes out clean.
- Cool Cake: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then carefully remove the cake from the pan and allow it to cool completely on the wire rack for about 30 minutes.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the powdered sugar, milk (start with 3 Tbsp and add more if needed), vanilla extract, and meringue powder with an electric mixer until the frosting is light and fluffy and of a spreadable consistency.
- Frost Cake: Spoon and spread the frosting over the completely cooled cake evenly. Serve immediately or store appropriately.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for best mixing results and fluffier texture.
- The use of a Bundt pan gives this cake an elegant shape and allows for even baking.
- You can adjust the milk quantity in the frosting to achieve your preferred consistency.
- Use a long wooden pick or skewer to test doneness to avoid underbaking.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
