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Classic Vanilla Layer Cake with Creamy Buttercream Frosting
Introduction
A well-made vanilla layer cake is timeless—light, fluffy, and paired with a rich, creamy buttercream frosting that melts in your mouth. This cake is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or even as a simple weekend indulgence. The tender crumb combined with the smooth sweetness of homemade frosting makes every bite pure comfort. In this recipe, you’ll learn how to create a bakery-worthy cake right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
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2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
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2 ½ tsp baking powder
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½ tsp salt
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1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
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2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
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4 large eggs, room temperature
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1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
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1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
For the Buttercream Frosting:
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1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
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4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
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¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream or whole milk
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2 tsp pure vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
Method
1. Prepare the Cake Layers
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
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Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
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Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
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2. Bake the Cake
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Divide batter evenly between the two prepared pans.
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Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
3. Make the Buttercream Frosting
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In a large mixing bowl, beat butter until creamy.
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Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until incorporated.
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Add heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat on high speed for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy.
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Adjust consistency with more cream if too thick, or more powdered sugar if too thin.
4. Assemble the Cake
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Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of frosting over the top.
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Place the second cake layer on top and spread frosting over the top and sides of the cake, smoothing or swirling as desired.
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Serving Suggestions
This cake is delicious served as is, but you can also dress it up with fresh berries, sprinkles, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. Pair it with coffee or tea for an elegant afternoon treat, or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Conclusion
This classic vanilla layer cake with creamy buttercream frosting is a crowd-pleaser for all occasions. Its light, moist crumb and sweet, velvety frosting make it the perfect canvas for your creative decorations or flavor twists. Once you master this recipe, you’ll have a go-to cake that never fails to impress.
