This Super Simple Cake Recipe uses basic ingredients as well as equipment to make a fantastic, tender, and moist cake completely from scratch.
Need a super simple frosting to top this cake? Try my Easy Buttercream or Chocolate Ganache Frosting.
This recipe is genuinely the easiest cake I’ve ever made. Not only that, but with its outstanding vanilla flavor, delectably soft crumb, and super moist texture, it’s not just simple, but delicious too!
Why This Recipe Works
- The combination of butter and oil adds moisture as well as a buttery taste.
- Buttermilk adds a tasty tang as well as extra moisture.
- Vanilla adds richness and depth of flavor.
- Using four eggs adds structure and gives the cake lightness and stability.
Easy Vanilla Cake
I’ve been on a mission to make life easier for anyone who’s short on time. I know a lot of people that would like to bake, but don’t because dragging out the mixer and tracking down ingredients is just too much trouble. This easy recipe requires nothing more than mixing bowls and a whisk. That’s it! Dessert couldn’t be simpler!
How To Make Easy Cake From Scratch
In a small mixing bowl add the wet ingredients.
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 3/4 cups of milk (full fat is best, but low fat or skim will work). Stir and let sit for 5 minutes. The mixture may be a little curdled, but that’s just fine.
In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.
Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients.
Mix until smooth.
Add to a greased baking pan.
bake until golden.
Frost and serve.
Different Pan Sizes
This recipe makes a 9×13 in cake, two 8-inch rounds, two 9-inch rounds, or 24-36 cupcakes. See the recipe notes for baking times.
How To Tell If Cake Is Done
- Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the cake and if it comes out clean, it is ready.
- Gently press on the cake and if it springs back quickly without leaving an indent, it’s ready
Tips For best Results
- Follow the recipe closely. I know you’ll be tempted to throw everything in the bowl and mix, but mixing the wet and dry ingredients separately before combining them helps prevent over mixing, which will ruin the cake texture.
- Use room temperature ingredients. Cake batter mixes evenly when all the ingredients are about the same temperature. Set out your ingredients 1 hour before beginning and allow the melted butter to cool before using it.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding one teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 3/4 cups of milk. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes. The mixture may be a little curdled, but that’s just fine.
- For homemade buttermilk, full-fat milk works best to produce a moister cake. That said, low-fat milk will work too.
- Cool cake completely before frosting. Frosting a warm cake will melt the frosting.
- Need a super simple frosting to top this cake? Try my Easy Buttercream or Chocolate Ganache Frosting.
Freezing & Storing
Storing: Cake kept covered at room temperature will keep for up to three days.
To Freeze: This cake freezes beautifully. Leave the unfrosted cake in the pan, then cover with plastic wrap, then a layer of foil, and freeze for up to a month.
Other Cake Recipes You’ll Love
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Let’s Make Super Simple Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons butter melted and cooled
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/175C and grease a 9×13 inch pan.
- In a small mixing bowl, add the wet ingredients and mix well to combine.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry and mix until just combined.
- Pour into the prepared pan and bake 40 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
Tips + Notes
For two 8-inch round pans, bake 30-35 minutes.
For two 9-inch round pans, bake 25-30 minutes.
For 24-36 cupcakes, 15-20 minutes
- Follow the recipe closely. I know you’ll be tempted to throw everything in the bowl and mix, but mixing the wet and dry ingredients separately before combining them helps prevent over mixing, which will ruin the cake texture.
- Use room temperature ingredients. Cake batter mixes evenly when all the ingredients are about the same temperature. Set out your ingredients 1 hour before beginning and allow the melted butter to cool before using it.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding one teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 3/4 cups of milk. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes. The mixture may be a little curdled, but that’s just fine.
- For homemade buttermilk, full-fat milk works best to produce a moister cake. That said, low-fat milk will work too.
- Cool cake completely before frosting. Frosting a warm cake will melt the frosting.
- Need a super simple frosting to top this cake? Try my Easy Buttercream or Chocolate Ganache Frosting.
Di says
I’ve made this several times. It’s just so easy and ever so yummy!
Erren Hart says
Oh, that’s great news, Di! Thanks for the feedback!
Janice says
My kids loved this cake! Thanks for making me a baker! 😁
Erren's Kitchen says
That’s amazing Janice, I hope you got a piece too! 🙂
Ann says
This is so good! Thank you for sharing!
Erren's Kitchen says
I’m glad you liked it Ann 🙂
Patty says
Such a great recipe! Can’t believe how easy it was! Thanks for making me feel like I can bake!
Erren's Kitchen says
Thank you Patty, I’m so pleased you had a successful bake 🙂
Ginny says
My grandma made a cake that tasted just like this. I’ve tried for years to replicate it and now I have! We love it!
Erren Hart says
Oh wow, that’s so great to hear! 🙂
Ruth says
This was easy and absolutely amazing. I made it with your easy buttercream. What a great pair! Thanks!
Erren Hart says
Hi Ruth, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Dawn says
I’m not usually good at baking, but you made this look so easy I decided to try it. This was unbelievably good. My son kept saying, “I can’t believe you made this! It seems like a bakery cake that you bought!” I used your buttercream as suggested. It was very moist and so delicious! Thank you!
Erren Hart says
Yay! That’s great to hear, Dawn! 🙂
Karen says
How simple! Thanks so much for sharing!
Erren Hart says
You’re quite welcome! 🙂