Name: Vanilla Cake with Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 8 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour (125g); 1 cup granulated sugar (200g); 1 tsp baking powder (4g); 1/4 tsp fine salt (1g); 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled (56g); 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil (56g); 1 large egg, room temperature (56g); 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature (120g); 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (4g); Gel food coloring (optional); 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (170g); 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (8g); 1/4 tsp fine salt (1g); 3 cups powdered sugar (375g); 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp heavy cream or whipping cream (20g); Gel food coloring (optional)

Print Recipe· 4.1 from 6 reviews

If you’re craving a classic dessert that’s both delightfully simple and irresistibly luscious, this Vanilla Cake with Buttercream Frosting Recipe is exactly what you need. This cake perfectly balances a light, airy crumb with creamy, smooth buttercream, making every bite a little moment of joy. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just treating yourself, this recipe’s straightforward ingredients and clear steps will guide you to baking success. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the sweet aroma of vanilla and create a cake that’s as charming as it is delicious!

Ingredients You’ll Need

A three-layer light yellow cake with two layers of white cream filling inside, each cake layer soft and moist with a slightly golden top edge, held gently by a woman's hands with light purple polished nails on each side, placed on a white round board atop a white marble cake stand with a wooden pedestal base, all set against a black background photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are beautifully simple, yet each plays an essential role in building a cake that’s moist, flavorful, and stunning. From the tender bite imparted by the buttermilk to the rich creaminess of butter in the frosting, every component is thoughtfully chosen to elevate this Vanilla Cake with Buttercream Frosting Recipe.

1 cup all-purpose flour (125g): The foundation of your cake, providing structure and softness.
1 cup granulated sugar (200g): Adds sweetness and helps with browning for a beautiful crust.
1 tsp baking powder (4g): Leavens the cake to give it a lovely lift and light texture.
1/4 tsp fine salt (1g): Enhances all the other flavors, balancing sweetness.
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled (56g): Adds richness and moistness to the cake layers.
1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil (56g): Keeps the cake tender and moist for days.
1 large egg, room temperature (56g): Binds ingredients together and adds structure.
1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature (120g): Brings tang and a tender crumb while reacting with the baking powder.
1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (4g): Infuses the cake with that irresistible classic vanilla flavor.
Gel food coloring (optional): For adding fun pops of color to your cake layers or frosting.
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (170g): For the frosting, making it silky smooth and rich.
2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (8g): To boost the vanilla flavor in the frosting.
1/4 tsp fine salt (1g): Balances the sweetness of the buttercream.
3 cups powdered sugar (375g): Sweetens and thickens the buttercream to perfection.
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp heavy cream or whipping cream (20g): Adds moisture and makes the frosting dreamy and spreadable.

How to Make Vanilla Cake with Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your cake pans with parchment paper and give them a light spray of non-stick oil. Light-colored metal pans, especially aluminum, help the cake bake evenly and develop a lovely, pale golden exterior. This prepping step is essential to ensure your cake layers bake perfectly without sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until everything is evenly combined. This step evenly distributes the leavening and salt so your cake rises beautifully without any salty pockets.

Step 3: Incorporate the Wet Ingredients

Into the dry mix, add the melted butter, oil, and the egg, whisking until almost combined. Then, pour in the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and a few drops of gel food coloring if you want to add a splash of color to your layers. Mix well but don’t overdo it. This batter will be thick, and a little extra mixing at the end actually lightens the texture through the reverse creaming method we’re using here.

Step 4: Bake the Cake Layers

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and slide them into the oven. Bake for about 32-35 minutes until a toothpick poked in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Once done, let the pans cool for 10 minutes before running an offset spatula around the edges to loosen the layers.

Step 5: Cool and Level the Layers

To speed up cooling, pop the pans in the freezer for about 20 minutes. When fully cool, turn the pans upside down to remove the layers gently. Use a serrated knife to level the tops, ensuring your cake stacks neatly later on. If you’re making these ahead, wrap them tightly and freeze for freshness.

Step 6: Whip Up the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

While your cakes are baking and cooling, it’s frosting time. Beat the room-temperature butter on medium speed until creamy. Add the vanilla and salt, then gradually mix in powdered sugar and heavy cream, scraping down the bowl to keep everything uniform. Continue mixing until you achieve a smooth, fluffy consistency. If it’s too thick, add a little more cream; if too thin, add more powdered sugar. For colored frosting, add gel coloring at the end for an even shade.

Step 7: Assemble and Frost

Place one cake layer on your plate or cake stand, securing it with a small dab of frosting. Spread a smooth, even layer of buttercream between layers, then crumb coat your cake with a thin frosting layer. Chill to firm up the frosting, then add a final thick coating and smooth it out with a bench scraper. Feeling fancy? Pipe some pretty swirls on top using a star tip and finish with sprinkles or your favorite decorations.

How to Serve Vanilla Cake with Buttercream Frosting Recipe

A tall, round cake with smooth white frosting covers its three layers, topped with eight swirls of white cream forming a ring near the edge. Each swirl is sprinkled with small, bright, round multicolored sprinkles. A circle of the same sprinkles decorates the base of the cake on a white board, all placed on a white marbled surface. Above the cake, a spoon held by a woman's hand is sprinkling more colorful small round sprinkles onto the cream swirls. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

The beauty of this Vanilla Cake with Buttercream Frosting Recipe lies in its versatility. Garnish with fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries for a tart contrast, edible flowers for a romantic touch, or a sprinkle of rainbow nonpareils to keep it fun. Each garnish adds a new dimension to the flavor and look of your cake.

Side Dishes

Serve your vanilla cake alongside a scoop of rich vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. A drizzle of berry coulis or a fresh fruit salad can brighten the plate and complement the richness of the buttercream in a delightful way.

Creative Ways to Present

Take your presentation up a notch by slicing the cake layers thin and stacking them to create petite mini cakes or cake towers. Use colorful frosting layers in between for a surprise rainbow effect. Try a naked cake look by lightly frosting the sides but leaving the layers visible for a rustic charm. Your creativity is the only limit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover any leftover slices tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Your Vanilla Cake with Buttercream Frosting Recipe will stay fresh at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for about five days. Let refrigerated slices come to room temperature for the best flavor and texture before serving.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully. Wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. For frosted cakes, freeze uncovered for a couple of hours to firm up the buttercream, then wrap gently to avoid smudging. Frozen cake can last for up to three months and defrosts best overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

Since this is a butter-based cake, it’s best served at room temperature rather than reheated. If you prefer a warm slice, take individual pieces out of the fridge and let them sit for 20-30 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can melt the frosting and alter the texture.

FAQs

Can I make this Vanilla Cake with Buttercream Frosting Recipe vegan?

While the original recipe uses butter, eggs, and buttermilk, you can substitute plant-based butter, a flax or chia egg, and a vegan buttermilk alternative made from plant milk and vinegar to create a vegan version that’s still delicious.

Why do you add both butter and oil to the cake batter?

The combination of melted butter and oil results in a cake that is rich and flavorful thanks to butter, while the oil keeps it extra moist and tender for days without drying out.

How do I get perfectly smooth frosting on the cake?

For smooth buttercream, use a bench scraper and rotate the cake while holding the scraper steady against the sides. Chilling the cake between crumb coating and final frosting helps the layers set so you can get that flawless finish.

Can I use this recipe to make cupcakes?

Absolutely! The batter works wonderfully for cupcakes. Bake in lined muffin tins for about 18-22 minutes, then frost once cooled. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the same flavors in individual portions.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

No worries! You can easily make a buttermilk substitute by adding 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1/2 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using. This adds the acidic component needed to tenderize the crumb perfectly.

Final Thoughts

This Vanilla Cake with Buttercream Frosting Recipe is a true keeper—simple ingredients come together to create a cake that’s moist, tender, and lusciously sweet. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, there’s an undeniable joy in making and sharing this classic dessert. So roll up your sleeves and dive in; your perfect slice of happiness is waiting!