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Home Cakes

My very best Vanilla Cake – stays moist 4 days!

By Nagi Maehashi
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Published28 Aug '20 Updated26 Mar '25
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This is my best vanilla cake recipe. A classic butter cake but with Japanese techniques applied for the most plush, soft and moist yellow cake like you’ve never had before. This professional bakery style cake stays fresh and moist for 4 days — that’s unheard of! Use the same batter for perfect Vanilla Cupcakes. 

This is a reader favourite recipe included by popular demand in my debut cookbook “Dinner”.

Close up of a slice of an incredible Vanilla Cake with fluffy buttercream frosting
Overhead photo of My best Vanilla Cake

My best Vanilla Cake recipe is…..

  • Plush, moist, fluffy crumb without being freakishly unnaturally so (as some store bought can be). No more dense cakes!

  • Keeps near perfectly for 4 whole days. 100% fresh on Day 1, still 96% perfect on Day 4. That’s unheard of!

  • Lovely vanilla and butter flavour without a greasy mouthfeel;

  • Even, elegant crumb – no large tunnels or irregular, crumbly holes;

  • Bakes perfectly flat – no levelling required!

  • Makes perfect cupcakes;

  • Not overly sweet; and

  • As tender as it can be but still be stable enough to make a large layered cake smothered with frosting or piles of cream and berries. In contrast, Chiffon Cakes and Japanese Sponges which, while lighter still, cannot actually hold up to much extra weight – the bottom layer gets quite squished.

So if all that appeals to you too, then I dare say this might become YOUR favourite vanilla cake recipe too! And here’s a little preview to show you how soft and fluffy it still is after 4 days:

Freshness preview – this cake is 4 days old!

 

Origins of this vanilla cake

This vanilla cake is the result of bringing together the best of Japanese sponge cakes and Western butter based cakes. It has the world renowned very soft, fluffy crumb of Japanese cakes and uses the Japanese baking method, combined with the buttery goodness and sweetness of Western cakes.

But it’s more sturdy than Japanese cakes which are so delicate, they can really only be decorated with cream. Anything heavier and the bottom layer gets squished!

Also, importantly, this cake incorporates my cake shelf-life requirement to stay perfectly fresh for at least 2 days after it’s made. (This lasts perfectly for 4 days.) Because who bakes cakes on the day they are intended to be served??

Interestingly, baking experts will recognise the method and ingredients in this cake to be very similar to what is called a Hot Milk Cake in America – albeit strangely it’s often described as a “dense” cake, presumably because they don’t preserve the egg aeration to the extent I insist we do and also because sometimes it’s baked in bundt pans which takes far longer to bake (= dense cake).

Fresh flowers decorated cake

The words “best served on the day” on a cake recipe is never a good sign – it means it drastically degrades overnight. But THIS cake recipe is near perfect for 4 days – even 5 days!

I don’t want to get too cake nerdy with you… but one sign of a well made cake is an even crumb. No large tunnels or lots of irregular size holes. It looks and tastes velvety – a similar plush texture to Red Velvet Cake.

Close up showing the even crumb of the best Vanilla Cake

There’s a widely held misconception that cake flour is the secret to a better cake. That’s only true for certain cakes. For this one, plain / all purpose flour yields better results.

Ingredients in my Best Vanilla Cake recipe

Here’s what you need to make this plush, soft vanilla cake. No cake flour, no buttermilk, no sour cream. Tried them all – this cake is better with plain / all purpose flour and just milk.

Ingredients in the BEST Vanilla cake - NO cake flour, NO buttermilk
  • Plain / all purpose flour – compared to cake flour, the flavour of the butter and vanilla comes through better, the crumb is slightly more velvety AND it keeps slightly more moist too. Bonus: no need to hunt down / pay a premium for cake flour! Do not substitute with self raising flour or gluten free flour.

  • Eggs – whipped to aerate, these are key to make the cake extraordinarily light and fluffy. You don’t get an eggy flavour;

  • Baking powder – not baking soda (bi-carb), it doesn’t rise as well. This is our safety net, extra helping hand to make the cake rise.

  • Milk, full fat – just plain cow milk. Low fat works as well but rises marginally less. Do not substitute with non dairy milk or buttermilk;

  • Sugar – best to use caster / superfine sugar if you can because it dissolves better in the eggs. But regular / granulated sugar works just fine too – you may just end up with some little brown spots on the base;

  • Oil – just 1 tablespoon adds a noticeable hint of extra moistness, especially on Day 4, without weighing down the cake in the slightest. Don’t be tempted to add more – I tried an extra tablespoon and it didn’t rise as well;

  • Vanilla extract  – the best you can afford. Imitation will work just fine, but the flavour isn’t as pure or real. I use Queen Vanilla Extract. Don’t waste your money on vanilla beans or vanilla bean paste – it’s not worth it for cakes.

Why this cake is safer than typical “cream butter and sugar” cakes

Making a really good cake that starts with “cream butter and sugar until fluffy….” is actually harder than you think. The butter has to be at the perfect temperature, and you can’t have chilly mixing bowls.

If the butter is too soft, the cake will be greasy and dense – sound familiar? If it’s too hard, you’ll never manage to cream it and you’ll end up with grease pockets. If you beat butter too long, you break the air pockets.

There’s more room for error with cookies and some other types of baked goods. But the butter temperature needs to be near perfect for cakes and cupcakes. (17°C/63°F is the perfect temperature for “softened butter”).

And even if you nail it, the cake rapidly loses freshness. Even the next day it’s noticeably drier. I’ve tried dozens and dozens over the years, to compare to this Vanilla Cake. This recipe puts all to shame in terms of fresh shelf life.

Heads up – this is a long step by step explanation post, to ensure those who are new to baking are armed with everything they need to make this cake perfectly, first time and every time!

Why is vanilla cake “so hard”? It seems hard to find the perfect cake because there is nothing to hide behind, it is one of the purest forms of baking. And the “cream butter and sugar” step is the biggest cause of problems, setting up the cake for success or failure from the very start (read above).

This Vanilla Cake recipe is much more foolproof!

Victoria sponge
Vanilla Sponge Cake used to make a Victoria sponge – spread with strawberry jam, top with whipped cream.

How to make my best Vanilla Cake

A stand mixer makes this vanilla cake a breeze to make, though it can be made with a handheld electric beater. While it takes time to beat the eggs to make a lovely fluffy cake, this recipe is more fail-proof than the usual “cream butter and sugar until fluffy” recipes – read the above box for why.

The unique plush, fluffy crumb of this cake is from double lifting power – whipped eggs PLUS baking powder!

How to make vanilla cake

1. Whip the eggs and sugar – Beat the eggs with sugar for a whole 7 minutes until thick and glossy, it changes from yellow to white, and tripled in volume (just over double depth in the bowl).

The aeration created during this step is key for a soft, fluffy crumb. This is a technique borrowed from Japanese sponge cakes.

TOP TIP: After this step, keep beating to a minimum otherwise you’ll knock the air out. Just follow my time and beater speeds and you can’t go wrong!

Here’s what it looks like before and after beating:

Before and after beating eggs for vanilla cake
After 7 minutes of beating, the egg-sugar mixture will triple in volume (double in height in the mixing bowl).
How to make vanilla cake

2. Gradually add flour – Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Then add into egg mixture in 3 lots, mixing for just 5 seconds on Speed 1 in between. This should make the flour just incorporated – don’t worry if there are some bits not mixed in.

How to make vanilla cake

3. Hot melted butter in milk – use a microwave or stove to heat milk with the butter until it melts. Believe it or not, HOT milk helps with aeration in this cake. I doubted it, so I tried with cooled melted butter in milk and found it did not rise as well.

The use of hot milk with melted butter in a cake batter is another technique used in some types of Japanese sponge cakes (such as this one from Chopstick Chronicles, a Japanese food blog). Interestingly, I recently discovered it is also used in a traditional Southern cake called Hot Milk Cakes.

4. Mix some batter into hot milk – this serves two purposes: a) bring down the temperature of the hot milk so it won’t “cook” the eggs (ie. tempering); and b) it lightens up the density of the hot milk (see above – it becomes foamy) so it blends together faster when added to the rest of the whipped egg mixture. Remember, minimal beating is key so we don’t knock out the cake-rising-bubbles we created in Step 1.

The melted butter in hot milk infuses this cake with beautiful subtle buttery flavour without the greasy mouthfeel inherent with butter cakes.

How to make vanilla cake

5. Slowly pour milk mixture back into whipped eggs over 20 seconds on Speed 1. Scrape down sides of bowls, then mix for 10 seconds on Speed 1 – the batter should now be smooth;

6. Pour into 2 cake pans lined with parchment/baking paper.

This cake can be made in various pan sizes, bundt pans and also makes perfect cupcakes. Click here for a handy table of different sizes, bake times and cake height (including 3 layer cakes).

How to make vanilla cake

7. {Optional} Knock out big air bubbles by dropping the cake pans on the counter 3 times. This won’t affect the cake-rising bubbles created in Step 1. But it makes large bubbles in the batter rise to the surface and burst.

If you don’t do this, you end up with maybe 6 or so large bubbles on the cake surface that go brown, and more unsightly large air pockets in the crumb. The surface blemishes don’t really matter if you are frosting. But if you’re not frosting the cake (eg just dusting with icing sugar / powdered sugar), you may care.

How to make vanilla cake

8. Bake 30 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. The cake will have a slight dome but it flattens when it cools.

You may get the faintest cracks on the surface, like you can see in the middle of the left cake in the photo above. That can occur if your oven doesn’t distribute heat evenly (my left front is hotter). But don’t fret – once the cake cools and the slight dome flattens, the cracks will disappear.

How to make vanilla cake

9. COOL upside down for level cakes (so you have neat, straight layers in a layer cake) on a cooling rack. If you don’t mind a slight dome surface / specifically want to show the beautiful golden brown surface (eg if making a cake dusted with icing sugar / powdered sugar, or a glaze), then cool it right side up; and

10. Decorate! Frost with your favourite frosting, smother with cream, fresh berries, swirl with chocolate fudge frosting or simply dust with icing sugar and serve with a dollop of yogurt or cream!


Day 4 – still super moist and fresh

The photos below are my attempt to show you how incredibly soft the cake still is four days after it’s made! If it were dry like typical butter cakes that start with “cream butter and sugar until fluffy”, the crumb would break when I jabbed it, and it would never spring back.

Showing how the vanilla cake is still soft and moist on Day 4

Tips for Vanilla Cake success

You’ll love that this list is a lot less stern than many other cake recipes!

  • Eggs at room temperature  – these will fluff better and faster. It’s easy to warm up fridge cold eggs – just leave in warm water for 5 minutes. What’s a room temperature egg? Pick up the egg. Fridge cold? Too cold. Cool but not cold? That’s ok. Very warm? I would be worried they might be off! (Note: fridge cold eggs will still fluff just fine, but it takes a couple of minutes longer. Just more consistent results with room temp eggs).

  • De-chill icy cold mixing bowls – Cold kitchen? Cold bowls! Run them under warm tap water then dry before using. Not hot tap water – just warm. Why? Eggs aerate faster and better when slightly warm. Cold bowl will lower temperature of eggs. This is a general useful baking tip – eg softened butter creamed in an icy cold bowl will make it firm up.

  • Make sure your baking powder is still good – if you do everything right and the batter looks like it does in my video, but your cupcakes don’t rise, the culprit is probably your baking powder. Even if it’s not past the expiry date, if not stored in a cool dry place, or if “someone” left the lid off for days, it can lose rising power. See here for how to check if your baking powder is still good.

  • Make sure the milk and butter are hot when you mix in the batter. I don’t understand the science, all I know is that when I melted the butter in the milk ahead of starting the batter, then let it cool to lukewarm while I faffed around getting everything else ready, the cake didn’t rise as well.

  • Once you start, don’t stop – once you start beating the eggs, keep going until the cake is in the oven. Do not at any point stop and take a call from your chatty Aunt Margorie! Reason: bubbles in batter will subside if left sitting around, resulting in a dense cake.

  • Follow steps in the order per recipe – I’ve written out the steps very specifically in the most efficient order for the best result. Don’t try to do things ahead like melting the butter in hot milk then leave it sitting around while you do everything else – it will either cool (cake doesn’t rise as well) or it gets a skin on it (this doesn’t dissolve in batter).

  • Cake pan WITHOUT loose base is best  – the batter is quite thin so it can leak a bit if using springform pan or loose base sandwich pans. Not much, but a bit. Not the end of the world – you can prevent this by greasing the base extra well and “plugging” the gap with butter.

  • Recipe can be halved for one single layer cake, baked in one pan. However if you do make a full batch, do not try to bake all batter in one pan or it won’t rise as well. Only exception is bundt pan – the hole in the middle helps with faster heat distribution.

Different cake pan sizes and bake times

Click here for a handy table of different cake pan sizes, bake times and cake height. This Vanilla cake will work with the following cake pan sizes:

  • 2 x 20cm / 8″ cake pan – my base recipe (I like the cake height, slightly tall), 30 minutes

  • 3 x 20cm / 8″ cake pan – 21 minutes (if all one one shelf). Otherwise, put 2 on middle shelf and 1 pan on shelf underneath. Bake top 2 pans for 21 minutes, remove from oven. Move bottom pan up and bake for another 2 minutes then remove.

  • 2 x 23 cm / 9″ cake pans – 27 minutes

  • 2 x 15.25cm / 6″ cake pans – 25 – 27 minutes, only make half a batch

  • Halve the recipe for a single round cake, 20 – 23cm / 8 – 9″

  • 12 cup tube pan or bundt pan (grease & dust with flour) – bake 1 hour, but note cake is not quite as fluffy as pictured and described. Still soft, but it’s slightly more dense (still delicious and thoroughly enjoyable, just different to intended)

  • 23 x 33 cm / 13 x 9″ rectangle pan – 30 minutes (large single layer sheet cake, excellent for large groups)

  • CUPCAKES! 24 perfectly domed, golden cupcakes – or halve the recipe to make 12.  Here’s the Vanilla Cupcakes recipe.

Close up of a slice of my best Vanilla Cake

Ideas for frosting and decorating Vanilla Cake

Here are a few ideas for finishing this Vanilla Cake.

  1. Vanilla buttercream (pictured in this post) – the white on white(ish) looks pretty and of course, driving home the vanilla flavour. Classic buttercream is loved for its rich, buttery, sweet flavour and creamy texture;

  2. Chocolate Mirror Glaze – for the ultimate professional touch! You will need to use the Vanilla Buttercream suggested above to create the supported frosting, and follow all directions in the Mirror Glaze recipe concerning flat and even surface etc.

  3. My Secret Less-Sweet Fluffy Vanilla Frosting – 100% silky smooth, fluffier and way less sweet than buttercream, this magical frosting pipes like a dream! It looks just like Vanilla Buttercream. Used in another incarnation of this Vanilla Cake in Lemon Cake with Fluffy Lemon Frosting;

  4. Sprinkles for an easy cheerful, birthday appropriate decorating option;

  5. Fresh flowers for an elegant option. Tip: Wrap the ends with a tiny bit of foil as a precaution before sticking it in the frosting or cream;

  6. Chocolate Buttercream for a classic Birthday Cake or pastel-coloured buttercream like this Easter Cake;

  7. Rich Chocolate Fudge – frost it with Chocolate Fudge Frosting made with melted chocolate. Double the frosting so you have enough for the inside, top and sides. Bonus: No electric beater required for this one! 

  8. Jam and cream for Victoria Sponge (photo above, halfway down) – spread the upside-down base with strawberry jam, top with lightly sweetened vanilla whipped cream. Place top sponge on then dust with icing sugar / powdered sugar. Note: this cake is a fluffier (and I dare say, better!) version of traditional Victoria sponge cakes which are actually very dense;

  9. Strawberry Shortcake – essentially, the Classic Japanese Shortcake (on my mother’s Japanese recipes website) but instead of using a Japanese sponge cake, using this Vanilla Cake instead;

  10. Glaze it with a semi-see-through glaze that drips elegantly down the sides, like the Lemon Glaze in this Lemon Yogurt Cake. Make it 2 x single layer cakes (or halve the recipe); and

  11. PLAIN – do not underestimate the power of this cake. It’s so moist with such a lovely vanilla and buttery flavour, it is sensational eaten plain. Though if serving to company, I do think it’s nice to at least finish it with a dusting of icing sugar / powdered sugar, and perhaps add a dollop of cream on the side and a fresh strawberry (or two)!

Vanilla cake decorating ideas
Clockwise from top left: Vanilla Cake frosted with vanilla buttercream, my Secret Less-Sweet Fluffy Vanilla Frosting topped with fresh flowers, Chocolate Buttercream and Lemon Glaze.

And with all that – I’m finally done. Finally happy. This is THE Vanilla Cake recipe that is my best all rounder. For birthday cakes, special occasions, to make to impress the pants off your family and friends.

And now it’s all over to you — tell me what you think! – Nagi x


Watch how to make it

This recipe features in my debut cookbook Dinner. Mostly new recipes, but this recipe is a reader favourite included by popular demand!

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My best Vanilla Cake – stays moist 4 days!

Author: Nagi
Prep: 20 minutes mins
Cook: 30 minutes mins
Cooling: 2 hours hrs
Cakes
Western
4.96 from 1318 votes
Servings10 – 12
Tap or hover to scale
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Recipe video above. Your classic vanilla butter cake but with Japanese techniques applied for the most plush, soft and moist yellow cake like you’ve never had before. This professional bakery style cake stays fresh and moist for 4 days — that’s unheard of!
This is THE Vanilla Cake recipe for all occasions — from layer cakes to birthday cakes, Victoria Sponge to strawberry shortcake … the possibilities are endless…..
Frosting – classic vanilla buttercream provided, see here for my secret Less-Sweet Fluffy Frosting. Different pan sizes – Note 9. Cupcakes – see Vanilla Cupcakes recipe. Metric/weights – click button above ingredients. Sweetness – Note 11. Cake flour – no need, better with plain flour. Guarantee success – read top 5 points in Notes below. For chocolate cake – see this recipe.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups plain / all purpose flour (cake flour OK too, Note 1)
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (check it's still active, Note 2)
  • 1/4 tsp cooking salt (kosher salt)
  • 4 large eggs (50 – 55g / 2 oz each), at room temp (Note 3)
  • 1 1/2 cups caster / superfine sugar (granulated/regular ok too, Note 2)
  • 115g / 1/2 cup unsalted butter , cut into 1.5cm / 1/2” cubes (or so)
  • 1 cup milk , full fat (Note 5)
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract , the best you can afford (Note 6)
  • 3 tsp vegetable or canola oil (Note 7)

Vanilla Buttercream

  • 225g / 2 sticks unsalted butter , softened
  • 500g / 1 lb soft icing sugar / powdered sugar , SIFTED
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 – 4 tbsp milk , to adjust thickeness
Prevent screen from sleeping

Instructions

Preparation:

  • Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan) for 20 minutes before starting the batter (Note 8). Place shelf in the middle of the oven.
  • Grease 2 x 20cm / 8” cake pans with butter, then line with parchment / baking paper. (Note 9 more pan sizes) Best to use cake pan without loose base, if you can.

Combine Dry Ingredients:

  • Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.

Beat eggs until aerated:

  • 30 sec beat: Beat eggs for 30 seconds on speed 6 of a Stand Mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, or hand beater.
  • Slowly add sugar: With the beater still going, pour the sugar in over 45 seconds.
  • Triple volume: Then beat for 7 minutes on speed 8, or until tripled in volume and white.

Finish cake batter:

  • Heat Milk-Butter (Note 5): While egg is beating, place butter and milk in a heatproof jug and microwave 2 minutes on high to melt butter (or use stove).
  • Gently add flour: When the egg is whipped, scatter 1/3 flour across surface, then beat on Speed 1 for 5 seconds. Add half remaining flour, then mix on Speed 1 for 5 sec. Add remaining flour, then mix on Speed 1 for 5 – 10 sec until the flour is just mixed in. Once you can’t see flour, stop straight away.
  • Combine milk, vanilla & oil – Pour hot milk, vanilla and oil into the now empty flour bowl.
  • Lighten with some Egg Batter: Add about 1 1/2 cups (2 ladles or so) of the Egg Batter into the Milk-Butter (don't need to be 100% accurate with amount). Use a whisk to mix until smooth – you can be vigorous here. Will look foamy.
  • Slowly add milk: Turn beater back on Speed 1 then pour the Milk mixture into the Egg Batter over 15 seconds, then turn beater off.
  • Scrape and final mix: Scrape down sides and base of bowl. Beat on Speed 1 for 10 seconds – batter should now be smooth and pourable.

Bake:

  • Pour batter into pans.
  • Knock out bubbles: Bang each cake pan on the counter 3 times to knock out big bubbles (Note 10 for why)
  • Bake 30 minutes or until golden and toothpick inserted into centre comes out clean.

Cool & frost:

  • Turn out & cool: Remove from oven. Cool in cake pans for 15 minutes, then gently turn out onto cooling racks. If using as layer cakes, cool upside down – slight dome will flatten perfectly. Level cake = neat layers.
  • Frost: Once cake layers are fully cool, top with frosting of choice, or cream and fresh berries or jam. See list of ideas in post!

Vanilla Buttercream:

  • Beat butter with paddle attachment in stand mixer for 3 minutes on high until it changes from yellow to almost white, and it becomes fluffy and creamy.
  • Add icing sugar / powdered sugar gradually in 3 lots, beating slowly (to avoid a powder storm) then once mostly incorporated, beat on high for a full 3 minutes until fluffy.
  • Add vanilla and milk, then beat for a further 30 seconds. Use milk only if needed to make it lovely and soft but still holds it's form (eg for piping). Use immediately. (If you make ahead, refrigerate then beat to re-fluff).

Recipe Notes:

To ensure success:
  1. Read recipe from start to finish before starting;
  2. Make sure your baking powder is not past its expiry – here’s how to check;
  3. Fresh eggs make the cake rise properly (old eggs don’t aerate as well);
  4. Work in order of steps per recipe;
  5. Don’t incorporate add-ins like funfetti or blueberry (they sink); and
  6. Once you start, keep going until it’s in the oven. Do not at any point leave batter sitting around – bubbles will subside!
Stand Mixer speeds are for a Kitchen Aid which has 10 speed settings. Hand beater works for same times and speeds (though not as powerful, I have found that the ability to move around bowl makes it just as effective).

RECIPE NOTES
1. Cake flour works just fine with this recipe, but butter and vanilla flavour, and crumb is ever so slightly better using plain  / all-purpose flour. Also, cake flour makes the cake surface sweaty and sticky the next day.
2. Caster / superfine sugar are finer grains than regular / granulated sugar so it dissolves when whipped with the eggs. Regular sugar sometimes doesn’t fully dissolve which doesn’t affect the cake rise or texture but can leave some small brown sugar specks on the surface. Not a big deal – just visual if serving undecorated.
3. Eggs – important to be at room temp as they fluff better when whipped which is key to the fluffy texture of this cake. Also, fresher eggs aerate better = better rise. Old eggs don’t fluff as well. 
Quick way to warm up fridge cold eggs – place in a large bowl, cover with warm tap water (just warm, not hot), leave for 5 minutes. Wipe dry (to avoid residual water dripping into bowl), then use per recipe.
Large eggs –  50 – 55g / 2 oz per egg this is the industry standard of egg sizes sold in cartons labelled as “large eggs” in Australia and the US. If your eggs are significantly larger or smaller in size, just weigh your eggs and use 200 – 220g / 8 oz in total (including shell) or 180 – 200g / 7.3 oz in total excluding shell (this is useful if you need to use a partial egg to make up the total required weight. Just crack eggs, whisk THEN pour into a bowl to measure out what you need).
4. Baking powder – dead baking powder is a common problem with cake fails, even if not past the expiry date. Here’s how to check yours is still good.
Baking soda (bi-carb) won’t make the cake rise quite as well. If you have no choice, then use 3/4 teaspoons of baking soda.
5. Milk – if you sub with lower fat milk then the texture of the crumb becomes a little less tender. Do not substitute with non-dairy milk, such as soy or almond milk.
Heating milk – Do not let milk bubble and boil (foam is ok). Don’t heat ahead and let the milk cool before using, it must be used hot (I tried and the cake didn’t rise as much).
6. Vanilla come in all sorts of qualities. I use Vanilla Extract. Better quality (more expensive) = better flavour, but I think vanilla bean paste is wasted in cakes. 
7. Oil – just 3 teaspoons makes a noticeable difference to the tenderness of the crumb AND keeps the crumb moist for days.
8. Oven preheating – 30 minutes preheat is recommended to ensure no loss of heat when the oven door is opened. Never use the rapid heat function on your oven for baking, no matter how fancy your oven is!
9. Cake pans – the batter is quite thin so to ensure no leakage, best not to use a cake pan with a loose base or a springform pan. If that’s all you’ve got, then use butter to firmly fill the gap (this should be enough – I had no leakage when I did this) and for extra insurance, try to cut the paper for the base slightly larger so it goes slightly up the wall.
Cake pan sizes – click here for a useful table of different cake pan sizes, cake height and bake times.
  • 2 x 20cm / 8″ cake pans- per base recipe above, bake 30 minutes
  • 3 x 20cm / 8″ cake pans – 23 minutes at temp per recipe. If they don’t all fit, put 2 on the middle shelf and one on shelf below. Take out top 2 at 23 minutes, then move bottom one up and bake for further 2 minutes.
  • 2 x 23 cm / 9″ cake pans – 27 minutes
  • 3 x 23 cm / 9″ cake pans – 20 minutes
  • 2 x 15cm / 6″ cake pans – halve the recipe, I haven’t made this size yet but expect will be 25 – 27 min bake time.
  • 12 cup tube pan or bundt pan (grease & dust with flour) – bake 1 hour, but note cake will not be as fluffy as pictured and described
  • 23 x 33 cm / 13 x 9″ rectangle cake – 30 minutes
  • Cupcakes – refer to Vanilla Cupcakes recipe
  • Chocolate cake – different batter recipe works better, see this recipe
Perfect golden sides and base can be achieved by greasing generously with butter then flour dusting base and sides. However, it’s not my base recipe because very occasionally, the base will stick a bit and some of the golden skin comes off. Safer to use paper!
10. Knock out big bubbles – banging cake pans on counter will knock out big air bubbles in the batter that causes unsightly bubble brown spots on the surface and irregular holes in the crumb. It does not burst the tiny bubbles that make the cake rise – they are too small to bang out!
11. Sweetness note – sweeter than Asian cakes, less sweet than typical Western butter cakes. Please do not reduce sugar – 1 1/2 cups is minimum required to make the eggs foamy enough to rise.
12. Different measures in different countries – tablespoon and cup sizes differ slightly from country to country. In most recipes, the difference is not enough to affect the outcome of the recipe, but for baking recipes, you do need to be careful.
This cake recipe has been specifically tested using both US and Australian cups (the two countries with the greatest size variance) and the cakes were exactly the same. So you can have confidence that this recipe can be used no matter which country you are in – only exception is Japan (cup sizes are considerably smaller (200ml) so please use weights provided).
For absolutely certainty, opt to use the weights provided (click Metric toggle button above ingredients). Professional kitchens only use weights.
13. Storage – if not frosting immediately once cooled, cover surface with baking paper (so it doesn’t stick to cling wrap) then wrap in cling wrap immediately then place in an airtight container. Do not leave it sitting around for hours once cooled, cakes go stale quite quickly. Leave out rather than in fridge, unless it’s super hot where you live. Keeps in freezer for 3 months.
Frosted or wrapped unfrosted cake keeps perfectly for 4 days (as in, practically like freshly made). Still good on Day 7 but a bit less moist. Keeps better if frosted because it seals the moisture in. If frosted with buttercream, it can stay out on counter and is better stored this way unless it’s hot where you are (in which case refrigerate but take out of fridge a good hour before serving. Nobody likes cold buttercream frosting or cake!) Avoid pre slicing – the area most prone to drying cake out is the cut sides.
14. Frosting – If it becomes too sloppy/soft because the butter was too soft or your kitchen is too warm eg Aussie summer (!), just refrigerate 10 minutes – remove paddle attachment and stick it in the bowl – then whip again to re-fluff.
15. Nutrition per slice, assuming 10 servings. Cake only.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 339cal (17%)Carbohydrates: 51g (17%)Protein: 6g (12%)Fat: 13g (20%)Saturated Fat: 7g (44%)Cholesterol: 91mg (30%)Sodium: 97mg (4%)Potassium: 190mg (5%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 31g (34%)Vitamin A: 434IU (9%)Calcium: 90mg (9%)Iron: 2mg (11%)
Keywords: Cheesecake recipe, sponge cake, vanilla cake
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4,863 Comments

  1. Catherine Love says

    December 19, 2022 at 1:57 pm

    If you watch the video you will see that the oil and vanilla are added after heating the butter and milk…also mentioned in step 3

    Reply
  2. Vicky N says

    December 19, 2022 at 8:03 am

    Hi, I have made this cake batter twice for another recipe , the berry chantilly cake. I want to use this base cake for a coconut cake, how can I still get the fluffiness light spongy texture and the coconut flavor? I have a recipe that uses cake flour and coconut milk along w coconut extract, how can I substitute this recipe and add coconut milk and still achieve the lightness? Any recommendation is appreciated! I am NOT a baker lol.

    Reply
  3. Heidi says

    December 18, 2022 at 6:51 pm

    5 stars
    I made this cake with gluten free flour for my daughter who has celiacs disease. She said it was absolutely amazing! She was surprised by how fresh it still is after several days. I will definitely be making this cake again!

    Reply
  4. Tambra says

    December 17, 2022 at 2:06 pm

    I just pulled the cakes out of the oven and they look (and smell) perfect! I have struggled for years making vanilla cakes. Thank you so much for sharing your well laid out recipe.

    Reply
  5. Neroli says

    December 17, 2022 at 10:06 am

    My 2 x 20cm tins are only 4cm high, are they too shallow – don’t want the batter to over flow

    Reply
  6. Unknown says

    December 16, 2022 at 4:23 pm

    It tasted like pure egg it had a weird texture to it and my friends have made it to and it was just weird

    Reply
    • Kim says

      January 9, 2023 at 12:42 am

      I think mine tasted that way the first day too, but once I put frosting on it and put it in the fridge, I didn’t taste it after that

      Reply
    • Purple says

      January 2, 2023 at 7:12 am

      Weird that this would be any of your experiences because the entire ingredient list is the same base for most cakes…what’s different is her technique, which is “supposed” to be a different texture as it’s mentioned numerous times throughout the entire article.

      Reply
    • somekid says

      December 27, 2022 at 1:02 pm

      y’all must have done soemthin wrong, mine turned out beautiful and I couldn’t taste any egg

      Reply
    • Sandra says

      December 21, 2022 at 8:42 am

      5 stars
      This was amazing!! Thank you Nagi.

      Reply
  7. Tennia says

    December 16, 2022 at 2:53 pm

    Wow your recipe is perfect! Never have I had such a beautiful, fluffy vanilla cake. I made this last year for my brothers birthday as well as my famous chocolate and the next day he was asking to make another vanilla cake! Thank you so much for your lovely recipe. Definently going in my recipe book. Your cake makes those sweet moments even sweeter.

    Reply
  8. Jennifer says

    December 16, 2022 at 12:13 pm

    Making your cake for the first time and there is nowhere in the method/instructions of when to add the oil and vanilla.

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Torrin says

      January 3, 2023 at 1:18 pm

      Step 3

      Reply
    • Raquel says

      January 2, 2023 at 1:54 pm

      En el vídeo se ve que se le pone a la leche con mantequilla

      Reply
    • Linda Cox says

      December 31, 2022 at 10:43 am

      step 3

      Reply
    • Tyrone says

      December 28, 2022 at 2:14 pm

      Under the “Finish Cake Batter” section, step 3.

      “ Pour hot milk, vanilla and oil into the now empty flour bowl.”

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        January 10, 2023 at 9:00 am

        Many thanks, Tyrone, must have skimmed over it. Much appreciated.

        Reply
  9. Angela says

    December 16, 2022 at 2:54 am

    Has anyone tried to freeze this cake?? I need to make it a week before. And should I freeze it frosted or plain?

    Reply
    • Heather Eaton says

      January 1, 2023 at 1:57 pm

      I froze it. Perfectly fine. I allowed it to defrost a little before cutting the tops to make my layers all even, way easier than when it’s room-temp. I also frost my cake with a crumb-coat when it’s cold put it back in the fridge before I finish the final coat.

      Reply
    • Linda says

      December 28, 2022 at 9:57 am

      Yes I have made cake and cupcakes for my sons wedding . Made 3 weeks before and froze . Best vanilla cake no problem freezing !

      Reply
      • Linda says

        December 28, 2022 at 9:58 am

        5 stars
        Frosted after freezing .

        Reply
    • Halima says

      December 23, 2022 at 4:55 am

      Most cakes are fine to freeze. If not frosted, make sure you wrap it well. If it is frosted, that seals in the moisture and doesn’t need to be wrapped. Just take it out at least 24 hrs ahead of time and let it thaw in the fridge, then for a an hour or so on the counter.

      Reply
  10. Heena Derodra says

    December 15, 2022 at 1:07 pm

    Hi Nagi,
    I am baking 2 layers – 10″ and 8″ cake pans. Not sure how I go about altering the recipe amounts? Especially to try and ensure the cake rise to a similar height in each tin.
    I can bake them one after the other as I know the tins are diff sizes.
    Thank you in advance 🙂

    Reply
  11. Penny says

    December 14, 2022 at 11:51 am

    5 stars
    Just making this vanilla sponge, so far so good, am doing it exactly. Wednesday now, want to have it for Friday.
    Great to find a sponge which will last more than a day. Thank you

    Reply
  12. Linda says

    December 14, 2022 at 11:11 am

    5 stars
    Make this last month…. Loved it.
    I was wondering if I can make a chocolate version by adding cocoa? And when should I add it.
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Steph says

      January 8, 2023 at 9:30 pm

      Try Nagi’s Chocolate Cake recipe instead, you will not be disappointed 😋

      Reply
  13. Christine says

    December 13, 2022 at 9:22 am

    5 stars
    The recipe doesn’t state when to add the oil. Consequently I forgot. Still worked out but would be good if you could update. Otherwise worked great.

    Reply
    • Tyrone says

      December 28, 2022 at 2:16 pm

      I made this cake over a year ago and I don’t believe it’s been updated since then, however it is mentioned in the recipe.

      Under the “Finish Cake Batter” section, step 3.

      “ Pour hot milk, vanilla and oil into the now empty flour bowl.”

      Reply
  14. joanna louie says

    December 12, 2022 at 4:29 pm

    Can I replace the butter with vegetable oil so the cake still stays moist when cold?

    Reply
  15. Christy says

    December 12, 2022 at 9:17 am

    I was wondering what the difference is between your yellow cake recipe and this vanilla cake recipe…which one is better? 🙂

    Reply
    • Christy says

      December 12, 2022 at 9:22 am

      Nevermine my previous question. I was confused between a different recipe.

      Reply
  16. Mindy says

    December 11, 2022 at 3:50 pm

    5 stars
    By far one of the best cake recipes I’ve ever tried! Absolutely blown away with this recipe! Thank you for sharing!!! ☺️❤️

    Reply
  17. Dr Fi says

    December 10, 2022 at 3:58 pm

    5 stars
    After I baked this cake I was told it was the best cake I ever made! I used berries and buttercream filling and a white chocolate cream frosting. This is my new go-to vanilla cake recipe 👍🏼

    Reply
  18. Laura Rogers says

    December 10, 2022 at 6:27 am

    My daughter wants a confetti cake – any concern about adding sprinkles to this cake batter?

    Reply
    • Michael says

      December 29, 2022 at 4:00 pm

      Hi Laura! I would be weary adding sprinkles to the batter. As this recipe has a very fluffy consistency, the sprinkles may sink to the bottom of the tin and burn. I think adding sprinkles to the icing or decorating on top might be a safer alternative!

      Reply
  19. Emily Norris says

    December 9, 2022 at 9:48 pm

    5 stars
    AMAZING RECIPE! Going to make it again and again and again. Everyone raved and now everybody thinks I am an amazing baker. Love that the recipe is so detailed so there is no room for guessing.

    Reply
  20. Natalie says

    December 9, 2022 at 8:58 am

    Do you think a lemon buttercream would go good between layers and iced with it?

    Reply
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