If you’re searching for a show-stopping dessert, the Perfect White Cake is as classic as it gets: fluffy, moist, and delicately sweet with just a hint of almond. This cake bakes up snow-white with an incredibly tender crumb, making it a favorite for celebrations or when you simply want a little slice of happiness. Whether it’s for a birthday, a wedding, or a “just because” kind of day, you’ll love how this recipe turns a handful of pantry staples into a truly memorable treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t need any fancy or hard-to-find items—in fact, these ingredients are probably already waiting in your kitchen! Each one plays an essential role in capturing the light texture and beautiful color that give this Perfect White Cake its name.
- Cake Flour: Creates a light, airy crumb that’s essential for the signature texture of a traditional white cake.
- Baking Powder: Gives the cake its lift and soft, cloud-like rise.
- Salt: A pinch brings out all the subtle flavors and balances sweetness.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake while helping to tenderize for that melt-in-your-mouth finish.
- Unsalted Butter (softened): Adds richness and flavor while ensuring the texture is perfectly moist.
- Large Egg Whites (room temperature): Provide structure and keep the cake’s crumb pristine and white.
- Vanilla Extract: Brings classic depth and a soft, dessert-like aroma.
- Almond Extract: Just a little transforms the flavor, making the cake truly unforgettable.
- Whole Milk (room temperature): Helps bind the batter together for a smooth, velvety mix and an extra-moist bite.
How to Make Perfect White Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven warms up, grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper for good measure. This setup guarantees your Perfect White Cake will slip smoothly from the pans after baking—no sticking, just flawless layers.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. This quick blend ensures your leavening and salt are distributed for an even rise and perfectly seasoned bite every time. Don’t skip the whisk—it makes a surprisingly big difference!
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Grab a large mixing bowl and cream the softened butter with the sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes. This step is the secret to a tender, fine-crumbed cake: the more air you whip in here, the better the cake’s texture will be when you cut into it later.
Step 4: Add Egg Whites
Now, add the egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition. This keeps the batter smooth and helps the cake maintain that pristine white color and feather-light crumb. The egg whites might seem like extra work, but they’re the foundation of what makes the Perfect White Cake so distinctive both in taste and appearance.
Step 5: Incorporate Flavors
Mix in the vanilla and almond extracts, letting their lovely, fragrant notes infuse into every bite. The almond is the cake’s signature “secret ingredient”—it adds a subtle touch that elevates the flavor to pure celebration status.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
With your mixer running on low, add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture in alternating batches—beginning and ending with the dry. This process keeps the batter from becoming overmixed, which is key for getting a truly fluffy cake. Stop mixing as soon as everything is combined; a gentle hand here means a softer, more velvety crumb.
Step 7: Pour and Bake
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula. Bake for 25–28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell heavenly as the layers bake up to a beautiful, pale white with golden edges.
Step 8: Cool
Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, then carefully turn them out onto a wire rack. Peel away the parchment and give them plenty of time to cool completely before frosting—if you rush this, your Perfect White Cake might not keep its ideal texture or finish.
How to Serve Perfect White Cake
Garnishes
Dress up your Perfect White Cake with a generous swirl of classic buttercream, rich whipped cream, or a scattering of fresh berries. Edible flowers or a dusting of powdered sugar can add a little touch of elegance for special occasions.
Side Dishes
Pair each slice with a scoop of vanilla or berry ice cream—or simply serve with a cup of strong coffee or tea. For a festive afternoon spread, a bowl of mixed fresh fruit adds a refreshing contrast to the gentle sweetness of the cake.
Creative Ways to Present
Transform this recipe into cupcakes for a party, or slice each layer in half to build a dramatic four-layer cake filled with jam or lemon curd. Stack with brightly colored fruit between layers for an eye-catching centerpiece, or serve each slice with a drizzle of raspberry coulis.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover slices tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen runs particularly warm, pop them in the fridge for freshness, but let the cake come to room temperature before serving so the crumb stays soft.
Freezing
The Perfect White Cake freezes like a dream! Cool layers completely, then wrap each one in a double layer of plastic wrap followed by foil. Freeze for up to three months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature.
Reheating
If you love a barely-warm treat, just pop a slice in the microwave on low for a few seconds—be careful not to overheat, or the slice could dry out. This little trick wakes up the flavors and gives the crumb that delicious, fresh-baked feel.
FAQs
Why is my white cake not as fluffy as I hoped?
Fluffiness depends on careful mixing—overmixing the batter after adding flour can create a tougher cake. Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature, and once you add the dry ingredients, mix until just combined.
Can I make Perfect White Cake without almond extract?
Absolutely! While almond extract adds a beautiful flavor, you can leave it out or even swap for extra vanilla if you prefer a more traditional or subtle taste.
Is cake flour really necessary?
For the classic, feather-light texture of Perfect White Cake, cake flour is best. All-purpose flour can be used in a pinch, but the texture will be a little denser—not quite as delicate.
How do I ensure even cake layers?
Use a kitchen scale to divide the batter evenly between pans and smooth the tops before baking. This helps the cakes bake up with a flat, even surface—no trimming needed!
What type Dessert
Classic American buttercream is always a hit, but Swiss or Italian meringue buttercream, whipped cream, or even a rich ganache are all wonderful choices for topping (and filling) the Perfect White Cake.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Perfect White Cake enough—once you try it, you’ll see why it’s a timeless favorite for any celebration or sweet craving. Gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and let the baking magic begin. I can’t wait for you to share this beautiful cake with friends and family!
Print
Perfect White Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 48 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the light and airy perfection of this homemade Perfect White Cake. With a delicate crumb and subtle hints of vanilla and almond, this classic dessert is sure to impress. Ideal for birthdays, celebrations, or any sweet occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups cake flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 5 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Add egg whites one at a time, beating well. Mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Bake: Divide batter between pans, smooth tops, and bake for 25-28 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and Frost: Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for a tender crumb.
- Pair with buttercream or whipped frosting for a delightful treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
