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Home » My Latest Recipes

Vanilla Cake Made without Butter

Apr 11, 2022 · 11 Comments

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Every baker needs a classic vanilla cake recipe in their collection. This vanilla cake made without butter recipe produces a pillow-soft, wonderfully moist, and absolutely delicious cake. I call it 'The Perfect Vanilla Cake' because also makes beautiful cupcakes and serves as a versatile base for other flavors like lemon or lime. Additionally, it's sturdy enough to be carved for sculpted cakes.

vanilla cake recipe from dessertswithstephanie.com

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Jump to:
  • Why you will love this recipe
  • Vanilla cake ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Variations
  • Top tips for the perfect vanilla cake
  • FAQs
  • 📋 Recipe

Why you will love this recipe

This vanilla cake recipe is made from scratch and is perfect for any occasion. It yields a fine, even crumb with no large air pockets or irregular holes. It pairs beautifully with any filling or frosting, allowing you to get as creative as you like. Consider trying one of the following: chocolate mousse, lightened pastry cream with fresh berries, hazelnut filling, lemon curd, or simply a sweetened whipped cream.

slice of cake with raspberry filling

Vanilla cake ingredients

Gather up the following ingredients to whip up this vanilla cake recipe:

ingredients for vanilla cake including flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla bean paste, eggs, milk and oil
  • All-purpose flour - sift flour if necessary to remove lumps
  • Baking powder and salt
  • Vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract - use a good quality vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract. An imitation vanilla flavoring won't cut it for this cake!
  • Eggs and whole milk - bring eggs and milk to room temperature before you start the recipe. Eggs at room temperature mix into the batter more smoothly. Room temperature milk allows the ingredients to blend better, resulting in a higher and fluffier cake.
  • Granulated sugar

Instructions

Follow the instructions below for this vanilla cake made without butter recipe:

two 8" round cake pans prepared with parchment paper to bake vanilla cake in

1 - Prepare two 8-inch cake pans by lining with parchment paper or coating with baking spray.

flour, baking soda and salt combined in a bowl

2 - Combine flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl. Sift if necessary to remove any lumps.

eggs and sugar added to mixing bowl

3 - Add sugar and eggs to a bowl. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add vanilla and mix briefly.

first measure of dry ingredients added to mixing bowl

4 - Add one third of the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined

milk and vegetable oil added to cake mixing bowl for a vanilla cake made without butter

5 - Add one half of the milk and vegetable oil and mix until combined.

finished vanilla cake batter in a mixing bowl

6 - Add another third of the flour mixture and mix till combined. Add the remaining oil and milk and mix until combined. Finally, add remaining flour mixture and mix until combined.

cake batter added to cake pans prior to baking

7 - Divide cake batter equally between two 8” pans.  

kitchen timer on a towel

8 - Bake for 15 minutes at 275℉ .  Increase temperature to 350℉ degrees and bake for an additional 20 – 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool cakes before removing from pans.

Variations

This vanilla cake recipe is incredibly versatile. Try one of these flavor variations for a unique twist:

  • Citrus flavor: eliminate vanilla from recipe. Add zest and juice of one lemon or two limes.
  • Spice cake: whisk 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg into the flour.
vanilla cupcake recipe with cream and strawberries

Top tips for the perfect vanilla cake

  • Before starting, measure all your ingredients and set out the necessary equipment. This extra step ensures everything is properly measured and nothing is overlooked.
  • Baking Temperatures: Start by placing the cake in the oven at a low temperature (275°F) for 15 minutes, then increase to 350°F to finish baking. Beginning with a lower temperature helps reduce the cake dome, resulting in a more even rise.

FAQs

Can I use this recipe for a sheet cake?

Yes, this recipe makes enough to fill a 9" x 13" cake pan.

Can this be made as a gluten-free cake?

Yes, simply replace the all-purpose flour with a one-for-one gluten-free flour substitute. I prefer the Bob's Red Mill gluten-free flour, but there are many good brands on the market.

📋 Recipe

vanilla cake recipe

Vanilla Cake Recipe

This vanilla cake is pillow-soft, wonderfully moist and delicious. 
4.75 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Cooling Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 people
Calories 362 kcal

Equipment

  • 2 8" Cake Pans round pans
  • Hand Mixer or
  • 1 Stand Mixer
  • Bowls, measuring cups and spoons
  • 1 Silicone spatula

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons Baking Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • 2 Cups Granulated Sugar
  • 4 Large Eggs Room Temperature
  • ⅔ Cup Vegetable or Canola Oil
  • ⅔ Cup Whole Milk Room Temperature
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 275℉ (135℃) degrees.
  • Prepare two 8-inch cake pans by lining with parchment paper or coating with baking spray.
  • Combine flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl. Sift if necessary to remove any lumps.
    3 Cups All Purpose Flour, 2 ½ teaspoons Baking Powder, ½ teaspoon Salt
  • Add sugar and eggs to the bowl of a stand mixer.  Using the paddle attachment, mix on medium speed for approximately 2 minutes. (note: a hand mixer may also be used).
    2 Cups Granulated Sugar, 4 Large Eggs
  • Add vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract to bowl and mix until combined. Scrape sides of bowl with a spatula as needed.
    1 ½ teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Extract
  • Add one-third of the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined. Add one-half of the milk and vegetable oil and mix until combined. Add another third of the flour mixture and mix till combined. Add the remaining oil and milk and mix till smooth. Finally, add remaining flour mixture and mix until combined.
    ⅔ Cup Vegetable or Canola Oil, ⅔ Cup Whole Milk
  • Divide cake batter equally between two 8” pans.  
  • Bake for 15 minutes at 275℉ (135℃) .  Increase temperature to 350℉ (180℃) degrees and bake for an additional 20 – 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
  • Place pans on a wire rack and allow to cool completely before unmolding.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Recipe makes:
    • two 8" round cake pans, or
    • one 9"x13" rectangular pan, or
    • 24 cupcakes
  • To freeze, wrap in plastic and place in freezer for up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 362kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 4gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 192mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 1gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 23IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 2mg
Keyword easy vanilla cake, vanilla cake, vanilla cake from scratch
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jen says

    April 13, 2024 at 9:46 pm

    5 stars
    I doubled the recipe without doubling the pans. It raised up too much but who cares....this is the best cake ever!!!

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      April 14, 2024 at 10:50 am

      Thanks, Jen!

      Reply
  2. Jen says

    April 13, 2024 at 4:37 pm

    4 stars
    If I increase the recipe to feed 24 should I be using 4 8" round pans? It still says just 2.

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      April 13, 2024 at 6:15 pm

      Hi Jen, if you double the recipe you need to double the pans so you would use 4 pans. FYI...the program is only set to calculate the ingredients (it won't calculate the equipment else it would call for 2 mixers, etc...).

      Reply
  3. Beth says

    January 05, 2024 at 3:53 pm

    5 stars
    I absolutely love homemade cake. It's just so much better than anything you can make from a box. This is a total winner. It's so moist and tender!

    Reply
  4. Monidipa says

    April 05, 2023 at 2:19 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, this vanilla cake recipe from Desserts with Stephanie is a game-changer! The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow, and the end result is a moist and delicious cake that's sure to impress.

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      April 05, 2023 at 2:34 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for the feedback!

      Reply
  5. dessertswithstephanie says

    April 05, 2023 at 1:52 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for the input and for stopping by!

    Reply
  6. Lasonia says

    April 05, 2023 at 12:54 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious cake recipe. The Perfect Vanilla Cake as it produces lovely cupcakes.

    Reply
  7. Ally says

    September 19, 2022 at 2:12 pm

    5 stars
    This cake was so easy to make - I don't like creaming butter and sugar as I tend to over cream or undercream. This was better than any vanilla cake I've made. Will definitely try it with lemon next time - and maybe some raspberries.

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      September 19, 2022 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you, Ally! Yes - it is a versatile recipe and can be flavored so many ways. This is my base recipe for many cakes we make daily in the bakery.

      Reply
4.75 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Welcome to Desserts With Stephanie. I hope you enjoy your visit. All the recipes and techniques I discuss on this site have been fully tested in my bakery for more than 15 years. Let's have some fun in the kitchen and put a smile on someone's face with a little sweetness.

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