Soft & Fluffy Vanilla Cake from Scratch
A soft, fluffy, and moist homemade vanilla cake recipe that’s beginner-friendly, easy to make, and perfect for birthdays, tea-time, or simple homemade desserts.
Calories: 320kcal
Ingredients
- Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- Optional Flavor Additions
- Lemon or orange zest
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease cake pans and line with parchment paper.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.
- Beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Add dry ingredients and milk gradually, mixing gently.
- Fold in sour cream or yogurt.
- Divide batter evenly into cake pans.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting or serving.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter and softer cake texture.
Avoid overmixing after adding flour, as it can make the cake dense instead of fluffy.
Sour cream helps keep the cake soft and moist even the next day.
Let the cake cool fully before frosting for best results.