Basic Vanilla Cake

Ingredients

For the cake

• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar
• 4 eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups (330 g) cake flour
• 2 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, room temperature

For the frosting

• 1 1/2 cups (339 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 5 1/2 cups (660 g) confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons heavy cream, room temperature

Instructions

Make the cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour 2 9-inch round cake pans; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.
3. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir with a whisk and add it to the butter mixture followed by the milk. Beat on medium-low speed just until combined. 
4. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with few moist crumbs attached. Take care to not over-bake. Check the cake at 15 minutes to see how it is doing and judge the timing from there.
5. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on a wire rack. 

Make the frosting

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl with a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy and pale in color, about 5 minutes.
2. Add half the confectioners’ sugar and beat on low speed just until the sugar has fully moistened, then turn the speed up to medium-high and beat until well incorporated, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Add the remaining confectioners’ sugar and beat on low speed just until the sugar has fully moistened, then turn the speed up to medium-high and beat until well incorporated, about 3-5 minutes.
4. Add the vanilla and salt. Turn the mixer on low speed and slowly add 3 tablespoons of the heavy cream. Turn the mixer up to medium-high and beat until the cream is well incorporated, about 3-5 minutes. (After 2 minutes stop and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl then continue mixing.)
5. Check the consistency of the frosting and add more cream, 1/2 tablespoon at a time, if needed. The frosting should be soft and spreadable but not so loose that it doesn’t hold its shape.

Assemble the cake

1. Place one layer on a serving platter. Spread about 1/3 of the frosting over the top.
2. Gently place the second layer on top of the frosting. Spread remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake.

Make ahead tip

1. Wrap baked and cooled cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. Assemble and frost the cake within 2 days.
2. Or layers can be triple wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for up to 2 weeks. Leave wrapped and set on the counter to thaw slightly before use.
3. The frosting will keep for up to 2 weeks stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You must let the buttercream come to room temperature by setting it out on the counter for a couple of hours, then beat it with an electric mixer if needed.
4. Once the cake has been assembled, cover it and keep it stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Bring it to room temperature just before serving.
5. The frosted cake can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature just before serving.

Notes

1. Make sure to use room temperature ingredients. Cold eggs will be difficult to thoroughly mix in and will cause the cake to be dense.

2. Measure the flour by lightly spooning it into the measuring cup then level the cup with the back of a knife. Or use the weight measurements.

3. If you don't have cake flour, you can make Homemade Cake Flour.

4. Start checking the cake 5-7 minutes sooner than the bake time listed.

• If the toothpick comes out with wet batter on it, it needs more baking time.
• If the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs on it, it’s perfectly baked and needs to be removed from the oven.
• If the toothpick comes out completely clean, I’m sorry to say, you’ve overbaked the cake and it will be dry.

Baking Variations:

• Bake the cake in 3 8-inch round pans for 15-25 minutes, 2 12-cup muffin pans for 15-18 minutes, or a 9×13-inch pan for 30-35 minutes. If you wish to make changes other than these, please consult this guide for how to convert pan sizes.
• You can change the flavor of the cake by adding your favorite extract or essence.
• This cake can be transformed into a Moist White Cake by using egg whites instead of whole eggs.

Adapted from Bigger Bolder Baking.