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Ina Garten Vanilla Cake Recipe

Ina Garten Vanilla Cake Recipe

Soft, buttery and full of rich vanilla flavor. This Ina Garten Vanilla Cake Recipe is simple and delicious. The cake has a light texture and moist crumb.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 410 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Cake

  • 3 cups cake flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ½ cup whole milk

For the Vanilla Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions
 

Prepare the Oven

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and line the cake pans with parchment paper carefully.

Mix Dry Ingredients

  • Whisk cake flour, baking powder and salt together inside a medium bowl until evenly combined and fluffy.

Cream Butter and Sugar

  • Beat butter and sugar together until pale, light, and creamy using an electric mixer at medium speed.

Add the Eggs

  • Add eggs one at a time. Mix well after each addition for smooth and rich cake batter.

Add Vanilla

  • Pour vanilla extract into the batter. Mix gently until the sweet vanilla flavor spreads evenly throughout the mixture.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

  • Add dry ingredients slowly with sour cream and milk. Mix gently until smooth without overmixing the batter.

Fill the Cake Pans

  • Divide the batter evenly between prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops gently using a rubber spatula.

Bake the Cakes

  • Bake for thirty to thirty-five minutes until golden. A toothpick inserted inside should come out clean and dry.

Cool the Cakes

  • Let cakes cool inside pans for ten minutes. Transfer carefully onto cooling racks until completely cool.

Make the Frosting

  • Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and heavy cream until fluffy and smooth texture forms.

Frost the Cake

  • Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread frosting evenly before adding the second cake layer carefully.

Decorate and Serve

  • Cover the entire cake with frosting. Slice and serve the vanilla cake fresh for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter.
  • Do not overmix the cake batter.
  • Add vanilla bean paste for stronger flavor.
  • Use buttermilk instead of whole milk if preferred.
  • Add fresh berries between cake layers.
  • Chill the cake before frosting for easier decorating.
  • Add lemon zest for bright flavor.
  • Use cream cheese frosting for richer taste.
  • Decorate with sprinkles for birthdays.
  • Store cake covered to keep it moist.
Keyword Ina Garten Vanilla Cake Recipe