There’s nothing quite like a classic vanilla cake made completely from scratch. This homemade vanilla cake is soft, fluffy, and packed with double vanilla flavor from vanilla extract and real vanilla bean. Layered with silky vanilla buttercream and topped with colorful sprinkles, it’s the kind of dessert that fits every celebration—from birthdays to holidays to “just because.”
This cake is so moist, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, your guests will swear it came from a bakery!
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Cake
This is the kind of recipe you bake once—and instantly add to your favorites. Here’s what makes it special:
🌼 Double Vanilla Flavor
Using both vanilla extract and a real vanilla bean gives this cake its signature rich, aromatic taste.
✨ Ultra Moist Texture
Two full cups of water (or milk) keep the crumb unbelievably soft without being heavy.
🧁 Beginner-Friendly
You don’t need a mixer to make the batter—just a whisk, a bowl, and a few simple steps.
🎉 Great for Any Celebration
Dress it up with sprinkles, fruit filling, festive colors, or seasonal décor to match any theme.
🎂 Customizable
Use different fillings (lemon curd, jam, Nutella), flavored frostings, or extracts to create endless variations.
🥣 Key Ingredients
Full ingredient list with measurements is located in the recipe card below.
- All-purpose flour – Can be swapped with cake flour for a lighter crumb.
- Baking powder + baking soda – The perfect combination for lift and tenderness.
- Water – Or milk for a creamier texture.
- Granulated sugar – Brown sugar works too, but will darken the color.
- Vanilla extract + vanilla bean – The star flavors!
- Butter + vegetable oil – The mix keeps it moist and flavorful.
- Eggs – Bind the batter and add richness.
- Buttercream ingredients – Butter, powdered sugar, cream, vanilla.
👩🍳 How to Make Homemade Vanilla Cake
Follow these steps for a perfect, bakery-style vanilla cake every time.
1. Prepare Your Pans
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter two 8-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment if desired.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
3. Heat the Water & Sugar
Simmer water and sugar in a saucepan until sugar dissolves.
Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted.
Chill mixture until no longer warm.
4. Add Flavor & Eggs
Whisk in oil, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean.
Beat in the eggs until fully combined.
5. Combine
Add dry ingredients into the wet mixture and whisk until the batter is smooth.
6. Bake
Divide the batter between pans and bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cakes cool completely before frosting.
🧈 Make the Vanilla Buttercream
Beat room-temperature butter until fluffy.
Add powdered sugar gradually, then vanilla extract and cream.
Beat 2–3 minutes until smooth, airy, and spreadable.
🎂 Assemble Your Cake
- Spread a thick layer of buttercream between cake layers.
- Apply a thin crumb coat and chill for 10 minutes.
- Add the final smooth layer of frosting.
- Decorate with sprinkles—or customize to your theme!
💡 Baking Tips for Success
- Cool completely: Frost only when cakes are fully cooled to avoid melting icing.
- Prevent sticking: Butter pans well and add parchment circles.
- Even layers: Cake strips help cakes rise flat with zero doming.
- Avoid overmixing: Mix just until smooth for a tender crumb.
- Make ahead: Bake layers 1–2 days ahead and wrap tightly.
🎨 Fun Variations
- Fruit Fillings: Lemon curd, raspberry jam, dulce de leche.
- Flavor Twist: Swap vanilla extract for almond extract.
- Citrus Cake: Add citrus zest or replace part of the water with juice.
- Chocolate Chip: Stir in mini chocolate chips for texture.
- Colorful Frosting: Add gel food coloring to match any celebration.
🧁 Storing Your Cake
- Room temperature: 3 days (covered tightly).
- Refrigerator: Up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted layers up to 3 months.
Wrap well to prevent dryness—whole cakes keep moisture better than slices.