Simple, quick, and irresistibly delicious, the one-bowl vanilla cake is a baker’s best friend. This versatile recipe comes together in just minutes with minimal cleanup, making it perfect for busy bakers or last-minute cravings. With its moist, tender crumb and classic vanilla flavor, this cake is sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. Every baker needs a reliable vanilla cake recipe in their arsenal, and the one-bowl vanilla cake fits the bill perfectly. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a potluck, or just because, this recipe delivers consistently delicious results with minimal effort. Plus, its simplicity makes it easy to customize with different frostings, fillings, and toppings, ensuring that it’s always a crowd-pleaser. For simple home events, a naked cake is the perfect choice. This rustic, unfrosted cake is not only beautiful but also incredibly easy to make. By leaving the sides of the cake exposed, you showcase the cake’s natural beauty while keeping the focus on the delicious flavors inside. A naked cake is a great way to impress your guests without spending hours on elaborate decorations, making it ideal for casual gatherings or intimate celebrations. Naked cakes are not only visually stunning but also incredibly easy to make, making them perfect for simple home events. Whether you’re hosting a small dinner party or celebrating a special occasion with family, a naked cake adds a touch of elegance to any gathering without the need for fancy decorations. Plus, its unfrosted sides give the cake a homemade, rustic charm that is sure to delight your guests.
Why is this the best vanilla cake
Simple and Convenient: This recipe is made in just one bowl, making it quick and easy to prepare with minimal cleanup. Versatile: The cake can be baked in three 6-inch round pans, making it perfect for layer cakes or smaller celebrations. Deliciously Moist: The addition of milk and butter in the batter creates a moist and tender crumb that is perfect for a vanilla cake. Customizable: The frosting can be easily customized with different flavors or colors to suit your taste or the occasion. Crowd-Pleaser: Vanilla cake is a classic favorite that is sure to please a crowd, making it a great choice for parties or gatherings. Professional Results: The bakery-style frosting adds a touch of elegance to the cake, making it look and taste like it came from a professional bakery.
Ingredients and substitutes
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure to the cake. You can use cake flour for a softer texture, but you may need to adjust the amount as it absorbs liquid differently. Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps to retain moisture. You can use brown sugar for a slightly different flavor. Baking Powder: Leavens the cake, helping it to rise. You can use baking soda, but you’ll need an acidic ingredient like buttermilk to activate it. Salt: Enhances the flavor of the cake and balances the sweetness. You can reduce or omit the salt if you’re sensitive to it. Unsalted Butter: Adds flavor and moisture to the cake. You can use margarine or vegetable shortening as a substitute, but the flavor and texture may be different. Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure to the cake. You can use a flax or chia seed egg as a vegan alternative. Milk: Adds moisture to the cake. You can use any type of milk or a dairy-free alternative. Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the cake. You can use other flavor extracts for different flavors. Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting and helps to thicken it. You can use a sugar substitute, but it may affect the texture and sweetness. Heavy Cream: Thins the frosting to a spreadable consistency and adds richness. You can use milk or a dairy-free alternative, but the frosting may be less creamy.
Step-by-step: One bowl vanilla cake
Preheat your oven to 350°F /175°C/ Gas mark 4. Line three 6-inch round cake pans with parchment paper circles, then grease and flour the pans.
Batter – Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add the softened butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat the mixture at medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and well combined.
Bake – Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool – Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Bakery frosting – In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat until smooth and fluffy.Pro tip – If the frosting is too thick, add more cream, 1 tablespoon, until you reach the desired consistency.
Frost – Use the frosting to assemble and frost the cooled cakes as desired. Use a spatula to frost the cake. Pipe any leftover frosting if desired. For a naked look, scrape off as much frosting as possible off the sides of the cake. Decorate with seasonal fruits. we had cherries in season.
Tips for Success
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your eggs, milk, and butter are at room temperature. This helps them mix more evenly into the batter and frosting. Measure Ingredients Accurately: Use a kitchen scale or measuring cups/spoons to accurately measure your ingredients, especially the flour and sugar, for the best texture and flavor. Mix the Batter Gently: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to a tougher texture in the cake. Do Not Overbake: Keep an eye on the cakes while they are baking and remove them from the oven as soon as a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Overbaking can result in a dry cake. Cool Cakes Completely: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and sliding off the cake. Use a Piping Bag for Frosting: For a bakery-style finish, use a piping bag fitted with a large round tip to frost the cake. This allows you to create beautiful swirls and decorations. Decorate with Sprinkles or Edible Flowers: Add some extra flair to your cake by decorating it with sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or edible flowers. Store the Cake Properly: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture. Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to experiment with different flavor extracts or add-ins to customize the cake to your liking. Consider adding lemon or almond extract for a different flavor profile. Enjoy with a Cup of Tea or Coffee: This vanilla cake pairs perfectly with a hot cup of tea or coffee for a delightful treat any time of day.
Creative variations
Lemon Blueberry Cake: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the batter and fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries. For the frosting, add 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice and some more zest for a lemony twist. Almond Joy Cake: Add 1 teaspoon of almond extract to the batter and fold in 1/2 cup of chopped almonds and 1/2 cup of shredded coconut. For the frosting, add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract and top with more shredded coconut and chocolate chips. Cookies and Cream Cake: Fold in 1 cup of crushed Oreo cookies into the batter. For the frosting, mix in some crushed cookies and top the cake with more whole cookies. Salted Caramel Cake: Add 1/2 cup of salted caramel sauce to the batter and swirl in some more sauce before baking. For the frosting, mix in some caramel sauce and sprinkle with sea salt flakes. Funfetti Cake: Fold in 1/2 cup of rainbow sprinkles into the batter. For the frosting, mix in more sprinkles and top with a sprinkle of confetti. Chocolate Marble Cake: Swirl in 1/2 cup of melted chocolate into the batter before baking. For the frosting, mix in some cocoa powder and top with chocolate shavings. Berry Chantilly Cake: Fill the layers with a mixture of whipped cream and fresh berries. Top the cake with more whipped cream and berries for a light and fruity dessert. Peanut Butter Cup Cake: Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped peanut butter cups into the batter. For the frosting, mix in some peanut butter and top with more chopped peanut butter cups.
Creative ways to serve vanilla cake:
Layered Trifle: Cut the cake into cubes and layer them in a trifle dish with whipped cream, fresh berries, and a drizzle of fruit sauce or caramel. Ice Cream Sandwiches: Cut the cake into rounds and sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two cake rounds for a delicious ice cream sandwich. Cake Pops: Crumble the cake, mix it with frosting, and roll it into balls. Insert a lollipop stick into each ball and dip them in chocolate or candy melts for cake pops. Mini Parfaits: Layer cake cubes, whipped cream, and fruit in small glasses for individual mini parfaits. Grilled Cake: Slice the cake and grill it for a few minutes on each side. Serve with a scoop of ice cream and caramel sauce for a warm and crispy treat. Cake Sundae: Top cake slices with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and nuts or sprinkles for a cake sundae.
One Bowl Chocolate Cake – Naked Cake One Bowl Vanilla Cupcakes Recipes Moist Vanilla Bean Cake One Vanilla Cake Recipe Many Different Flavors Microwave Vanilla Mug Cake
Frequently asked questions
Did you LIKE this recipe? Save it for later. You can find my recipes on Pinterest. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.Subscribe, and I’ll send you new recipes right to your inbox. Thank you for sharing - Save for later
