Favorite Vanilla Birthday Cake (Fluffy and Easy!)
Looking for a Vanilla Birthday Cake that is moist, fluffy and delicious? This is the perfect cake for any special occasion!
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Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 681kcal
Equipment
- 1 Stand mixer or hand mixer
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
Cake - 2x8"
- 300 g all-purpose flour
- 20 g almond flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 113 g unsalted butter soft at room temperature (1 stick)
- 100 g vegetable oil avocado, corn or canola
- 320 g granulated sugar
- 3 eggs room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 300 g milk whole or skim milk at room temperature
- 1 1/2 tbsp white vinegar to make homemade buttermilk
Vanilla Buttermilk Frosting
- 340 g unsalted butter room temperature
- 300 g confectioners sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tbsp milk
Instructions
Cake
- Prepare the homemade buttermilk by mixing milk (room temperature) and white vinegar, mixing, and waiting at least 5 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare two 8” cake pans (brush a little butter and coat with flour; you may also add a round piece of parchment paper on the bottom).
- In a medium bowl, whisk the dry ingredients, flour, almond flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt)
- Add unsalted butter (ambient temperature), oil, and sugar to the stand mixer bowl with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed for about 3 minutes until white and fluffy. You can also use a handheld mixer. Scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed.
- Add one egg at a time and mix in between for a few seconds until incorporated.
- Add vanilla and ½ cup buttermilk and mix until combined.
- Reduce speed to low. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the remainder buttermilk until it finishes.
- Using a kitchen scale, split the batter evenly between the 2 8” cake pans (about 630 grams each) and bake for about 35 minutes until the cakes are light golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the cake layers cool for about 15 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the pan, then remove them from the baking pan and add them to a cooling rack.
American Buttercream Frosting
- Add confectioners’ sugar, unsalted butter, vanilla, and milk to a stand mixer bowl with a paddle attachment.
- Mix at a low speed to incorporate the fine sugar without splashing, then increase to medium speed and mix for 10 minutes until the frosting is white and stable.
- Scrape down the bowl halfway through mixing to ensure the ingredients are well mixed. If you want to add food coloring, do this step. I love using natural products such as this pink dragon fruit powder to make the cutest pink cake!
Assembling the Homemade Vanilla Cake
- Add one layer of cake and top with the filling or frosting. Spread well in the center of the cake, then add the second layer.
- Spread the frosting in a thin layer on top and sides of the cake. Refrigerate for about 20 minutes, allowing the frosting to set the cake crumbs.
- Add the remaining frosting and decorate as desired. I love using a large Wilton decorating kit and dye-free sprinkles.
Notes
- Don’t overwork the batter in the final mixing steps. You want a fluffy cake!
- Before starting, make sure the eggs and butter are at room temperature. If your butter is cold, add it to the microwave and heat for 10 seconds until soft (you don’t want it melting).
- If the eggs are cold, add them to a bowl with warm water for 5 minutes before adding to the cake batter.
- To bake even layers, use a kitchen scale to split the batter evenly between the cake pans. Tap the pans on the counter to minimize air bubbles in the batter.
- While baking, do not open the oven door before the 25-minute mark, as the cakes will sink.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Favorite Vanilla Birthday Cake (Fluffy and Easy!)
Amount per Serving
Calories
681
% Daily Value*
Fat
42
g
65
%
Saturated Fat
22
g
138
%
Trans Fat
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
6
g
Monounsaturated Fat
10
g
Cholesterol
125
mg
42
%
Sodium
209
mg
9
%
Potassium
95
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
73
g
24
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
53
g
59
%
Protein
6
g
12
%
Vitamin A
1046
IU
21
%
Calcium
76
mg
8
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @goldenbearmama on Instagram!