Here's a reliable recipe for a Classic Vanilla Layer Cake with buttercream frosting. It's moist, tender, and perfect for birthdays or celebrations.
Classic Vanilla Layer Cake
Yield: 12 slices
Prep: 30 minutes | Bake: 25–30 minutes | Cool: 1 hour
For the Cake:
- 2½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 2½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
For the Vanilla Buttercream:
- 1½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened
- 5–6 cups (600–720g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3–4 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
Make the cake:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or line bottoms with parchment paper).
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla.
5. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with milk in two additions (begin and end with flour). Mix just until combined—don't overmix.
6. Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake 25–30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
Make the frosting:
8. Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed until incorporated.
9. Add vanilla, salt, and 2 tbsp cream. Beat on high for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add more cream if needed for spreading consistency.
Assemble:
10. Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread with 1 cup frosting. Top with second layer.
11. Apply a thin "crumb coat" of frosting to the entire cake, then chill 15 minutes.
12. Frost with remaining buttercream and decorate as desired.
Pro Tips:
- Room temperature ingredients are crucial for a smooth batter that rises properly.
- Don't overbake—check at 25 minutes. The cakes should spring back when lightly touched.
- For extra moisture, brush cooled cake layers with simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, boiled then cooled) before frosting.
Variations: Add ½ cup cocoa powder to the flour for chocolate cake, or zest of 2 lemons + 2 tbsp lemon juice for lemon cake.