Perfect Vanilla Cake (Printable)

A classic tender vanilla layer cake with fluffy buttercream frosting, ideal for any celebration or casual dessert.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

05 - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature

07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

08 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature

09 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

10 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

11 - 2 tablespoons whole milk

12 - 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

13 - Pinch of salt

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.

02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

03 - Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.

05 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.

06 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Smooth tops with spatula.

07 - Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

08 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

09 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

10 - Spread layer of buttercream between cake layers. Frost top and sides with remaining buttercream.

01 -

The texture is impossibly light and tender, like eating a sweet cloud
Buttercream that whips up silky smooth and tastes like pure comfort
This is the cake that makes people ask for seconds before they've even finished their first slice

02 -

Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable for achieving that perfect emulsion
Overmixing the flour creates a tough cake, so stop as soon as you see no dry streaks

03 -