Perfect Round Vanilla Cake Recipe
🧾 Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ¾ cups (350g) sugar
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) milk (room temperature)
🔪 Instructions
1. Prep your pan
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F)
- Grease and line two 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans
- For extra-even layers, wrap pans with damp cloth strips (optional)
2. Mix dry ingredients
- In a bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
3. Cream butter & sugar
- Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3–5 minutes)
- This step is key for a soft texture
4. Add eggs & vanilla
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each
- Stir in vanilla extract
5. Combine everything
- Add dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with milk
- Mix until just combined (don’t overmix)
6. Bake
- Divide batter evenly into pans
- Smooth the tops
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean
7. Cool
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes
- Then transfer to a rack to cool completely
🎯 Tips for a PERFECT round cake
- Use a kitchen scale to divide batter evenly
- Tap pans lightly to remove air bubbles
- Bake on the center rack
- Rotate pans halfway if your oven heats unevenly
- Level the tops with a knife if needed
🍦 Optional Simple Vanilla Frosting
- 1 cup (225g) butter
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2–3 tbsp milk
Beat until smooth and spreadable.