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Easy Vanilla Cake (Moist, Fluffy & Foolproof)

This easy vanilla cake is soft, moist and fluffy with a simple homemade buttercream, making it a foolproof family-friendly cake for birthdays and celebrations.

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9/30/20262 min read

Moist vanilla cake with buttercream frosting
Moist vanilla cake with buttercream frosting

Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes | Total: 50 minutes | Serves: 10–12
Best For: Birthdays, celebrations, afternoon tea

An Easy Vanilla Cake for Any Occasion

This easy vanilla cake is soft, fluffy and full of classic vanilla flavour, with a simple buttercream frosting that makes it perfect for birthdays, celebrations or an easy weekend bake. The ingredients are straightforward, and you don't need complicated techniques to make a beautiful homemade cake.

There's also something lovely about having a basic cake recipe you can come back to again and again. Dress it up with berries and sprinkles for a celebration, keep it simple for afternoon tea, or bring it to the table exactly as it is. Sometimes the simplest cakes are the ones that disappear first.

Ingredients for Easy Vanilla Cake

For the Vanilla Cake:

  • 2½ cups plain flour

  • 2½ teaspoons baking powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 170 g unsalted butter, softened

  • 1½ cups caster sugar

  • 3 large eggs, room temperature

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 cup milk, room temperature

For the Vanilla Buttercream:

  • 200 g unsalted butter, softened

  • 3 cups icing sugar, sifted

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 2–3 tablespoons milk

  • Pinch of salt

Optional:

  • Fresh strawberries or berries

  • Sprinkles

  • Jam between the cake layers

  • Extra icing sugar, for decorating

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven. Heat your oven to 180°C conventional or 160°C fan-forced. Grease and line two 20 cm round cake tins with baking paper.

  2. Combine the dry ingredients. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl.

  3. Cream the butter and sugar. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and caster sugar for approximately 3–4 minutes, until pale and fluffy.

  4. Add the eggs. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

  5. Add the vanilla. Mix through the vanilla extract.

  6. Add the flour and milk. Add approximately one-third of the flour mixture, followed by half the milk. Repeat, finishing with the remaining flour.

  7. Mix gently. Beat only until the batter is smooth and combined. Avoid overmixing once the flour has been added.

  8. Divide the batter. Spoon the cake batter evenly between the two prepared tins and smooth the tops.

  9. Bake. Bake for approximately 25–30 minutes, or until lightly golden and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

  10. Cool completely. Leave the cakes in their tins for 10 minutes before turning them onto a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely before frosting.

  11. Make the buttercream. Beat the softened butter until pale and creamy. Gradually add the icing sugar, beating between additions.

  12. Finish the frosting. Add the vanilla, salt and enough milk to create a smooth, spreadable buttercream.

  13. Assemble the cake. Place one cake layer onto a serving plate and spread with buttercream. Add the second cake layer and cover the top and sides with the remaining frosting.

  14. Decorate and serve. Finish with berries, sprinkles or a simple swirl of buttercream, then slice and enjoy.

Helpful Tips

  • Use room-temperature ingredients so the cake batter combines more evenly.

  • Don't overmix once you've added the flour — this helps keep the vanilla cake soft and fluffy.

  • Allow both cake layers to cool completely before adding buttercream or the frosting can melt.

  • For even layers, divide the batter between the tins as evenly as possible.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Butter gives the cake a rich homemade flavour.

  • Creaming the butter and sugar helps create a light, fluffy texture.

  • Milk keeps the crumb soft and moist.

  • Uses simple supermarket baking ingredients.

  • The basic vanilla flavour makes the cake easy to customise.

  • Beginner-friendly instructions take the guesswork out of making a layer cake.

  • Works for birthdays, gatherings or an everyday family bake.

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Alofa Tunoa shares budget-friendly recipes, family meals, one-pan dinners, and Pacific Island inspired food rooted in Samoan culture and faith-filled home cooking.

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