Best Vanilla Cake
This vanilla cake is all about easy comfort baking. It starts with a boxed mix, but the butter, milk and cinnamon give it that rich, bakery-style texture everyone loves. It comes together fast, smells amazing in the oven and always lands soft, moist and full of vanilla flavor. Eat it plain or with your favorite icing.
Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Cake
- Bakery-style flavor with almost no effort
- Rich, moist texture from the butter and milk
- Quick to mix and bake
- Vanilla and cinnamon make it taste homemade
Recipe Tips
- Use room temperature eggs
- Mix only until combined
- Start checking the cake a couple minutes before the timer.
- Cool fully before frosting
- Brush with warm milk or simple syrup for extra moisture
Vanilla Cake Recipe Variations
- Skip cinnamon and use almond extract
- Add berries or swirl in jam
- Mix in chocolate chips
- Bake as a two-layer cake
- Use a gluten-free vanilla mix
Best Vanilla Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat oven to 350°F and grease your cake pan.
- Add the cake mix, milk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla and cinnamon to a bowl.
- Mix until smooth.
- Pour into the pan and bake for 28 to 35 minutes, or until the center springs back.
- Let it cool before frosting or keep it plain. It’s great either way.
Notes
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 4g
- Carbs: 38g
- Fat: 17g
FAQ Vanilla Cake:
Yes. A 9×13 pan works best, but you can also bake it in two 8-inch round pans. Adjust the bake time slightly.
You can bake it a day early. Let it cool, wrap it tightly and frost it when you’re ready to serve.
Yes. Freeze the baked layers (unfrosted) for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature.
Absolutely. The cake still tastes great without it, or you can swap in almond extract.
Yes. Melted butter gives the cake a richer, bakery-style texture.
Whole milk gives you the best texture, but any milk will work.
Check it toward the end of baking. The center should spring back lightly or a toothpick should come out clean.
Yes. Fill each liner about two-thirds full and bake for 16 to 20 minutes.
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