How To Make a Basic Vanilla Cake!

Basic Information

In this simple 3-step tutorial, you will learn how to make a basic vanilla cake. This easy-to-make dessert is perfect for beginners and will leave you wanting more!

Ingredients:

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for the pans
  • 3 cups all purpose flour, plus more for the pans
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups whole milk (or 3/4 cup heavy cream mixed with 1/2 cup water)

    • Step 1:

    Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (Fahrenheit). Spread butter on two 9-inch pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper (Butter the parchment).

    Step 2:

    Whisk 3 cups of flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl until it is mixed. In a larger bowl, beat 2 sticks of butter and sugar using a mixer on medium-high speed. Beat it until light and fluffy, which takes about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to medium, and beat in the eggs, one at a time, and scrape down the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. The mixture may look separated at this point. Beat in the mixture with the flour in three batches, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour, until the mixture is just smooth.

    Step 3:

    Divide the batter between the two pans which were prepared in Step 1. Bake the cakes in your oven until they are lightly golden on top. This should take about 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer it to racks and let it cool for 10 minutes, and then run a knife along the edges. Turn the cakes out onto the racks too cool completely. Remove the parchment. Optional: If desired, trim the tops of the cake with a long serrated knife to make them even.

    Tip: Stick a toothpick into your cake to check whether or not it is fully cooked.

    Source (Food Network Kitchen)