moist vanilla cake
Ingredients
- ¾ cunsalted butter
soft and pliable
- ¾ cgranulated sugar
- 2 largeeggs
- 1 tbspvanilla extract
- ½ tspalmond extract
- 1 cwhole milk
- 2 ½ ccake flour
- 1 tspbaking powder
- ½ tspbaking soda
- 1 ½ tspkosher salt
- 1 ½ cunsalted butter
softened
- 6 ¼ cpowdered sugar
sifted if lumpy
- 2 tspvanilla extract
- ⅓ cheavy cream
cold
Directions
Prepare the cake:
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (convection or regular). Grease 2 round 9-inch cake pan with non-stick cooking spray and line with a parchment paper circle.
- 2
Sift the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together and set aside.
- 3
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or with a hand mixer), cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- 4
Add the eggs and extracts, beating well until fully combined.
- 5
Alternately add the milk and dry ingredients, beginning and ending with dry. I often finish folding by hand to prevent overmixing and tunneling in the cake.
- 6
Divide batter between prepared cake pans. You can eyeball it or use a kitchen scale.
- 7
Bake immediately in the preheated oven until a cake tester or toothpick comes out with a few clinging crumbs, approximately 15-18 minutes. Be careful not to overbake, or they will dry out. Mine baked for 18 minutes in a convection oven.
- 8
Let cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then loosen the sides by running a paring knife or small offset spatula around the edges. Flip it out onto a cooling rack, remove the parchment paper, and then cool it completely before frosting.
Prepare buttercream frosting:
- 1
While the cakes cool, prepare the vanilla buttercream frosting.
- 2
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth and lightened slightly on medium-high speed.
- 3
Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the powdered sugar ½ cup at a time, allowing it to mix in completely before adding the next batch.
- 4
Once all the sugar has been incorporated, add the vanilla and mix at medium speed until light and smooth.
- 5
Switch to the whisk attachment and add cream while mixing at medium to low speed. Then, increase the speed to high and whisk until light, fluffy, and white.
Frost the cake:
- 1
Place one layer of the cake on a decorative cake plate or stand of your choice. Scoop about 1 cup of buttercream onto the top and smooth it out evenly with a large offset spatula.
- 2
Place the second cake layer on top and refrigerate for about 20 minutes. This will ensure a nice thick layer of frosting between the cake layers.
- 3
Mound the frosting on top and around the edges to fill in any gaps between the layers! Smooth it out with a bench scraper to achieve smooth edges. You can also swirl it decoratively or pipe it into rosettes or another pattern.
moist vanilla cake
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About this Recipe
Searching for that perfect, tender moist vanilla cake that tastes homemade but feels effortlessly elegant? Look no further for a classic vanilla cake that's simple to bake and incredibly satisfying, designed to be the star of any celebration. This isn't just any vanilla cake; it's meticulously crafted to deliver exceptional moisture, staying delightfully fresh for an impressive five days. The secret to its depth of flavor lies in the harmonious blend of rich vanilla extract with a subtle, aromatic hint of almond extract, creating a profile that's both familiar and wonderfully sophisticated. This perfect pairing extends to the luscious, silky buttercream frosting, ensuring every bite is a balanced symphony of taste and texture. Prepare for a cake with a wonderfully tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth, infused with a comforting, true vanilla flavor gently brightened by that whisper of almond. Each forkful is balanced by the smooth, rich, and utterly luxurious buttercream, making this an ideal celebration cake for any milestone. You'll find it an approachable dessert to bake, promising a delightful experience for both the baker and everyone who enjoys a slice. Its generous yield of 16 servings makes it perfect for sharing. While this classic vanilla cake shines beautifully on its own, its versatile nature invites easy personalization. To subtly shift the cake's profile, consider swapping the almond extract for a touch of lemon zest or orange extract within the cake batter itself for a brighter, citrusy note. For the frosting, experiment with different extracts like peppermint or coconut to create unique flavor combinations. You can also easily tint the silky buttercream frosting with food coloring to perfectly match any party theme, transforming this simple yet elegant cake into a vibrant, personalized centerpiece for a birthday cake or special event. This truly is a birthday cake-worthy confection, ideal for any special gathering, from festive family birthdays to elegant dinner parties. Serve it simply adorned, allowing its delightful flavor and moist texture to speak for themselves, or decorate it grandly to mark a truly memorable occasion.