EASY HOMEMADE VANILLA CAKE

Published by Jessica on January 6, 2022

Homemade Vanilla Cake is the easiest homemade cake recipe you will ever make! Just 4 simple ingredients you likely already have on hand: sugar, eggs, flour, and vanilla.

Easiest Homemade Cake recipe EVER!

Homemade Vanilla Cake may sound complicated, but I assure you, making a cake from scratch doesn’t have to be difficult. I’m about to blow your mind with this easy cake recipe! Just 4 common ingredients and about 10 minutes total prep time and your homemade cake will be baking away in the oven.

Meanwhile, you can get your cake toppings prepared, I am partial to fresh seasonal berries on top. They pair perfectly with the cake texture and make for a sweet and savory treat. Feel free to use your imagination for your toppings, you really can’t go wrong with the delicious simplicity of this cake.

Easy Homemade Vanilla Cake Ingredients

Granulated sugar: You will need 1 ½ cups of sugar for this recipe, it will provide just the right amount of sweetness.

Eggs: Grab 6 large eggs from the refrigerator to whip this cake up! These will help with the richness of taste as well as the binding.

Flour: You need 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour for the base of the cake batter.

Vanilla: 2 teaspoons of vanilla are called for in the recipe, but feel free to add a little extra if you like it a bit stronger. Using high-quality vanilla would also give a stronger flavor.

Almond Glaze

Butter: You will need 1 tablespoon of melted butter to make the glaze nice and rich.

Almond extract: Use ½ teaspoon of almond extract to give this delicious glaze a nice contrasting flavor.

Powdered sugar: Using 1 cup of powdered sugar will result in a lovely creamy glaze with a perfectly smooth texture.

Milk: You need 3 tablespoons of milk to make this glaze into the perfect consistency.

Fresh berries (optional): Using any fresh seasonal berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries can be a great way to get your family to enjoy this cake even more. Mix and match for fun flavor and color combinations.

How to Make Easy Homemade Vanilla Cake recipe

Tips for making this Easy Homemade Vanilla Cake

Full instructions in the recipe card below, but here are a few tips for a smooth baking process!

Don’t skip the full 8-minute mixing time. This recipe relies on whipping the eggs and sugar to create structure and a light texture since there is no leavening agent. The batter should become pale, thick, and fluffy before adding it to the pan.
Use room-temperature eggs for the best volume. Cold eggs won’t whip as well, so let them sit out for about 30 minutes before mixing to help create a lighter, softer cake.
Grease and flour the pan thoroughly. This cake has a delicate texture and can stick easily, especially in a Bundt pan. Make sure you coat all the grooves and tap out any excess flour before adding the batter.
Don’t overbake this cake. Start checking around the 30-minute mark. The cake should feel springy when lightly pressed and reach about 200°F internally—overbaking will quickly make this simple cake dry.

How do I store this cake?

Store this cake covered in the refrigerator until a couple of hours before serving. If you add the glaze and toppings to the entire cake, the best way to store it is in an airtight cake container or covered cake stand to keep it fresh and prevent the glaze from drying out. Storage may vary depending on the size and shape of the cake pan used.

Can I freeze this cake?

Yes! This vanilla cake freezes well. For the best results, freeze the cake without the glaze or toppings. Once the cake has completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the cake overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours, then add the glaze and toppings before serving.

Homemade Vanilla Cake

Homemade Vanilla Cake is the easiest homemade cake recipe you will ever make! Just 4 simple ingredients you likely already have on hand: sugar, eggs, flour, and vanilla.

4.34 from 50 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Cake, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Homemade Vanilla Cake

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 45

Servings: servings

Calories: 236kcal

Author: Jessica & Nellie

Ingredients

Easy Almond Glaze

1 TBSP melted butter
½ TSP almond extract
1 cup powdered sugar
3 TBSP milk
fresh berries for topping optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a Bundt or regular cake pan.
Combine sugar and eggs in a mixing bowl and mix for 1 minute. Add in flour and vanilla, then mix on medium speed for 8 minutes.
Pour batter into cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. (Cake will be very soft to the touch and register 200 degrees F on a thermometer.)
Cool for 20-30 minutes, then invert onto a plate and cool completely. Serve with berries and cream or top with almond glaze, then berries.
For the simple glaze, whisk all ingredients together and drizzle on the cooled cake. Top with fresh berries, slice & enjoy!

Video

Notes

Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

This cake can also be frozen—preferably without the glaze or toppings—for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly and thaw before adding the glaze and serving.

Nutrition

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How do you bake a homemade cake recipe?

This easy vanilla cake recipe is incredibly versatile! You can bake it in just about any pan but I love the presentation of a Bundt cake as it is so pretty. You can also bake this cake recipe in a 9 x 13 glass pan, or whatever your favorite cake pan is. Then you can top the entire cake with cream and berries just prior to serving, you will be so pleased with the final results. Quick note, once you add the cream and berries it gets a bit trickier to save any leftovers (wait, what is leftover cake?). So you might choose to slice and plate each piece of cake, then top with cream and berries separately to ensure you get to enjoy every slice of cake!

What to serve with homemade vanilla cake?

You can serve anything you want with this delectable homemade cake recipe. In fact, I like to top this cake with fresh berries as it has a delicate, angel food cake texture that pairs well with fruit of just about any kind. Opting for seasonal fruits is a great way to add color and freshness, but throwing a few scoops of ice cream on the plate doesn’t hurt either!

Can I halve this recipe?

Absolutely! To halve the recipe you will need 3/4 cups sugar, 3 eggs, 3/4 cups flour, and 1 tsp vanilla. Make as directed but bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees F in a bread loaf pan. Then slice and serve as desired.

Why is my cake dry?

Having a dry cake is typically the result of one of the following snags: using the wrong ingredients, mistakes while mixing the batter, or possibly baking the cake too long or at too high a temperature. Once you have an understanding on how to avoid these common cake-baking hiccups, you’ll bake a moist cake every time.

Be sure to check out some of our other easy cake recipes below:

Our Strawberry Cheesecake Lush is the ultimate easy summer dessert with creamy cheesecake layers, juicy strawberries, and a buttery Golden Oreo crust in every bite.
With a soft, moist texture and bright pineapple flavor, this Pineapple Bundt Cake is the perfect easy treat for gatherings, holidays, or a quick homemade dessert.
Easy Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix is the kind of effortless dessert everyone loves! A warm, comforting treat that comes together with just a few simple ingredients!
Our Lemon Buttermilk Pound Cake has a rich, buttery crumb and the perfect pop of fresh lemon flavor. The kind of from-scratch dessert that feels special but easy enough to make anytime.
Topped with fresh strawberries and cream, this Easy Vanilla Sponge Cake is perfect for birthdays, holidays, or a sweet homemade dessert anytime.
Mandarin Orange Cake with Pineapple Frosting is a nostalgic, refreshing dessert that’s always a crowd favorite! This easy cake recipe is perfect for potlucks, summer parties, or anytime you want a light and sweet treat.

Homemade Vanilla Cake is the easiest homemade cake recipe you will ever make! Just 4 simple ingredients you likely already have on hand: sugar, eggs, flour, and vanilla.

With just 4 ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can have a cake batter ready and in the oven. You’re going to love this easy homemade vanilla cake. It’s the perfect cake for summer and enjoying with fresh berries and whipped cream.

EASY HOMEMADE VANILLA CAKE

Easiest Homemade Cake recipe EVER!

📫 Save this recipe! Send it to your email! 📩