Vanilla Cake Recipe {From Scratch Homemade Cake with Whipped Eggs} (2024)

Julie Clark

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Looking for a vanilla cake recipe? This homemade white cake is kept fluffy by folding in whipped egg whites. It has a velvety texture and is great as a layer cake!

Vanilla Cake Recipe {From Scratch Homemade Cake with Whipped Eggs} (2)

Best Vanilla Cake Recipe

Everyone needs a traditional vanilla cake recipe in their recipe box. A cake that is good for birthday layer cakes, sheet cakes and as the base of creative fruit cakes. This is our cake recipe for all of that and more.

Homemade Vanilla Cake

Homemade cakes are definitely a different texture than store-bought cake mixes. The tend to have better flavor and more of a velvety crumb texture. This recipe does not turn out dry, but does have a more compactness to it. That makes this recipe ideal for layer cakes. It holds up well to lots of frosting!

How to Make Vanilla Cake

The most important tip for making this from scratch cake is to whip the egg whites until they can hold stiff peaks, then set them aside. Once you have the rest of the ingredients mixed together, you’ll carefully fold in the whipped eggs to the batter. Don’t mix the batter too roughly or too much at this point. Mix just until the egg whites are incorporated, then divide the batter between the cake pans. The whipped eggs help to keep this cake lighter than other cakes.

Divide the batter between 2 9″ cake pans that you’ve both greased and floured. This will help the cake layers to come out cleanly.

I like to test if a cake is done by touching the center of the cake. If it springs back when you touch it, it is done. You can also use a toothpick to test it.

Allow the cakes to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then remove them to a wire rack to cool completely.

What is the Difference Between All-Purpose Flour and Cake Flour?

Cake flour has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour which leads to a softer cake. I highly recommend cake flour for this recipe for a tender homemade cake. All-purpose flour is great for breads, muffins, pancakes and even some cakes. But if a recipe calls for cake flour, you should definitely use it for the best results.

Can I Substitute Anything for Vanilla Extract?

Yes, you can use almond extract, rum extract or even a fruit extract if you’d like a different flavor.

Gluten Free Vanilla Cake

Looking for a gluten free version of this cake? You’ll find it right here.

Vanilla Cake Recipe {From Scratch Homemade Cake with Whipped Eggs} (3)

Frosting for Vanilla Cake

  • Chocolate Buttercream
  • Strawberry Buttercream
  • Vanilla Buttercream
  • Caramel Buttercream

Tools to Make This Cake

Vanilla Cake Recipe {From Scratch Homemade Cake with Whipped Eggs} (4)

Vanilla Cake Recipe {From Scratch Homemade Cake with Whipped Eggs} (5)

Vanilla Cake Recipe

4.15 from 171 votes

Looking for a vanilla cake recipe? This homemade white cake is kept fluffy by folding in whipped egg whites. It has a velvety texture and is great as a layer cake!

Servings 15

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Using a stand mixer, beat the egg whites with the whisk attachment until they are stiff and form peaks. This may take a minute or two. Pour the egg whites into another bowl and place them in the refrigerator until you're ready to add them to the batter.

  • Using the same bowl that you used to beat the egg whites, place the softened butter in and cream the butter for about 2 minutes (using the beater blade attachmenuntil it is white in appearance.

  • Add the sugar to the butter and beat until fluffy (about another 1-2 minutes).

  • In a small bowl, combine the flour (measured carefully*), salt and baking powder. Set aside.

  • In another bowl, combine the milk and vanilla extract.

  • Add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture alternately with the milk.

  • Add the stiffly beaten eggs to the cake batter. Fold the egg whites in gently. Do not overmix at this point. If you do, your cake will become more dense.

  • Grease and flour 2 9" round cake pans. Pour the cake batter equally into the prepared cake pans.

  • Bake the cakes at 350 degrees for 25-27 minutes or until the top bounces back when you touch it.

  • Allow the cakes to cool for 10 minutes, then loosen the edges and remove them from the pans to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely.

Notes

*Frost with your favorite vanilla buttercream.

**The calories shown are based on the cake being cut into 15 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 slice of unfrosted cake. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate.

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 213mg | Potassium: 123mg | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 405IU | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Author Julie Clark

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Calories 293

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Vanilla Cake Recipe {From Scratch Homemade Cake with Whipped Eggs} (2024)

FAQs

What types of cakes use the whipped egg methods? ›

Foam cakes include sponge, chiffon, meringue, and génoise. Primarily, foam cakes are leavened (made to rise) by whipped eggs and steam.

What are the 5 main ingredients in cake? ›

These basic ingredients for baking a cake are; flour, eggs, fat (usually butter), sugar, salt, a form of liquid (usually milk), and leavening agents (such as baking soda).

What does egg do in cake mix? ›

What Eggs Do in Baking Recipes. Eggs play an important role in everything from cakes and cookies to meringues and pastry cream — they create structure and stability within a batter, they help thicken and emulsify sauces and custards, they add moisture to cakes and other baked goods, and can even act as glue or glaze.

How do eggs change texture of cake? ›

Eggs also contain a variety of proteins that create the structure of a cake, and when beaten, they can act as a leavening agent by adding air to the cake batter. However, if you add too many eggs to your cake batter, then your end result could be spongy, rubbery, or dense.

Should I whip my eggs for cake? ›

Whipping egg whites and folding them into batter is often performed when making chiffon, génoise, or angel food cakes or when lightening up a normal cake recipe. Before you whip egg whites, wash your mixing bowl with warm, soapy water. You want to be sure that there are no oil or grease particles in your bowl.

What is a secret ingredient for cakes? ›

Vinegar is a secret ingredient that can make your cakes light and fluffy.” One of the great things about using vinegar in cakes is that it's versatile.

What is the most important ingredient in a cake? ›

Top 10 Baking Essentials Ingredients For A Cake. Flour, sugar, and butter are the key ingredients for a killer cake. Eggs bind everything together, while leavening agents like baking soda or powder invite the fluff. Cocoa powder adds a chocolate kick to your bakes; dried fruits and nuts offer chewy textures.

Can I use 4 eggs instead of 3 in cake mix? ›

Use an extra egg: Most boxed mixes will call for three eggs. Use four for a cake that's richer-tasting and moister. This tip is one I use practically every time I make a boxed cake mix. Substitute dairy: Replace the water called for on the package with dairy.

What happens if you don't put all the eggs in a cake mix? ›

Without eggs, the cake may not hold its shape properly and may crumble or fall apart. Moisture: Eggs contribute moisture to the cake, helping to keep it moist and tender.

How many eggs should go in a cake? ›

Eggs: 3 whole eggs provide structure, moisture, and richness. 2 extra egg whites keep the cake light and airy. I don't recommend using 4 whole eggs; stick to the 3 egg & 2 egg white combination. Here are recipes using leftover egg yolks.

How long should you beat eggs for cake? ›

Usually it takes anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes of beating eggs and sugar using an electric mixer to reach ribbon stage. But don't rely on time. Instead, use some key visual clues to recognize when you've succeeded: Texture: The mixture should have thickened significantly, becoming almost foam-like.

How does the whipping of eggs affect the softness of cake? ›

Egg whites beaten with sugar creates smaller air pockets. As you gently fold the soft meringue into batter, the air pockets will give the cake structure, but not as stable as cakes made with stiff egg whites. Combined with a lower temperature, the resulting touch is a moist, spongy and cottony texture that I prefer.

What types of cakes use the whisking method? ›

Also known as the'whipping' method and is usually used for sponges, egg whites for meringue, pavlova cakes, and for chiffon products.

What are whipped egg whites used in? ›

Whipped egg whites make souffles and cakes rise, lighten pancakes and waffles, and can be sweetened and turned into meringue, among their many uses. Many home cooks are daunted by the prospect of whipping egg whites, but really, nothing could be easier.

What is a type of cake by whipping eggs and sugar? ›

A basic sponge cake is made by beating the egg yolks and sugar until thick and lemon colored (when beaters are raised the mixture will form a ribbon as it falls back into the bowl) and then stiffly beaten egg whites (with a little sugar) are folded in. Contains no fat.

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