Description
A reliable, moist, and nostalgic homemade vanilla birthday cake with simple ingredients and foolproof instructions, perfect for beginners and customizable for any celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (454g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 6–7 cups (750-875g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted (for frosting)
- 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream (for frosting)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- ½ teaspoon salt (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper, grease parchment, and dust with flour.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy. Scrape down sides of bowl.
- Reduce speed to medium. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until combined after each addition. Add vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
- With mixer on low, add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with buttermilk in two parts (start and end with dry). Mix only until flour disappears.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes until tops spring back and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- While cakes cool, beat softened butter for frosting until light and fluffy (2 minutes). Add sifted confectioners’ sugar one cup at a time on low speed. Add vanilla, salt, and 3 tablespoons heavy cream. Beat on high for 3 minutes until fluffy.
- Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread generous layer of frosting on top. Place second layer on top. Frost top and sides with remaining frosting. Decorate as desired.
Notes
Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best emulsification. Do not overmix the batter once flour is added to avoid a tough texture. For smooth frosting, chill the assembled cake in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving. Layers can be baked ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 45
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
Keywords: birthday cake, vanilla cake, homemade cake, easy dessert, buttercream frosting, party cake, classic cake recipe