Vanilla Dream Cake Recipe
If you’ve ever longed for a classic cake that’s impossibly moist, rich with vanilla aroma, and finished with the dreamiest buttercream, let me introduce you to my all-time favorite: Vanilla Dream Cake. This cake is pure nostalgia, a recipe I bring out for birthdays, family get-togethers, or honestly, whenever I find an excuse to bake something extra special. The crumb is tender and light, thanks to a touch of sour cream, while the simple vanilla frosting adds the perfect billowy finish. Whether you top it with sprinkles or fresh berries, it never fails to impress and delight!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about Vanilla Dream Cake is how it transforms a handful of pantry staples into something magical. Every ingredient here has its moment to shine, coming together for that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color that makes this cake truly unforgettable.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives the cake structure and a soft, tender crumb—be sure to measure carefully for best results!
- Baking powder: Provides just the right lift, making each bite fluffy without being overly airy.
- Salt: Just a touch balances sweetness and enhances all the subtle flavors.
- Unsalted butter (for cake and frosting): Brings richness and creaminess—room temperature butter is key for smooth mixing and the perfect texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds gentle sweetness and helps aerate the butter for a light crumb.
- Eggs: Bind everything together while adding extra moisture and richness.
- Vanilla extract (for cake and frosting): This is the magic ingredient—use the best pure extract you can find for real vanilla flavor to shine through.
- Whole milk: Adds moisture for a velvety cake; room-temp milk mixes in better and keeps the texture consistent.
- Sour cream: Secret weapon for max softness and just a whisper of tang that makes the cake irresistible.
- Powdered sugar: For the frosting—dissolves instantly to create that luscious, smooth finish.
- Heavy cream: Just enough to whip the frosting into airy, spreadable perfection.
- Pinch of salt: In the frosting, this tiny addition cuts sweetness for balance.
How to Make Vanilla Dream Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Cake Pans and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring even baking from the moment the pans go in. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line the bottoms with parchment paper—this is a foolproof way to prevent any sticky disasters and guarantees those perfect, intact cake layers.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This gets everything evenly distributed, so the Vanilla Dream Cake rises beautifully and bakes up light instead of dense.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is pale, light, and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes, and it’s essential for that soft, tender crumb you want in every vanilla cake. Take your time—this isn’t the step to rush!
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
One at a time, beat in the eggs, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then add the vanilla extract; the aroma at this point is dreamy and hints at the flavor to come.
Step 5: Combine the Milk and Sour Cream
In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole milk and sour cream until smooth. Mixing these together ensures that you can add them gradually and evenly—this combo creates the Vanilla Dream Cake’s signature moistness.
Step 6: Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now comes the key part: alternately add the flour mixture and milk-sour cream mixture to your wet ingredients, starting and ending with the flour. Mix gently and only until just combined—overmixing can make the cake tough. You’ll see a creamy, silky batter that’s ready for the next step!
Step 7: Fill and Bake
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and gently smooth the tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will be filled with pure vanilla bliss!
Step 8: Cool Completely
Let the cake layers cool in their pans for about 10 minutes—it helps them set up and pull away from the edges. Then carefully turn them out onto wire racks and allow them to cool completely before moving on to frosting.
Step 9: Make the Frosting
Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter for a couple of minutes until it’s creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition, then blend in the vanilla, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Beat everything together until the frosting is ultra-fluffy and smooth—perfect for spreading!
Step 10: Frost and Decorate
Generously spread the frosting on the first cake layer, add the second layer on top, and finish by coating the whole Vanilla Dream Cake with more frosting. You can keep things simple or go wild with sprinkles, berries, or pretty piping—whatever makes you happiest!
How to Serve Vanilla Dream Cake
Garnishes
The beauty of Vanilla Dream Cake is that it forms a blank (delicious) canvas for your favorite finishing touches. For a classic look, I love topping it with a shower of colorful sprinkles or delicate curls of white chocolate. Fresh berries—especially strawberries or raspberries—add a burst of color and just enough tartness to balance the sweetness. If you really want to wow a crowd, try edible flowers for an elegant finish.
Side Dishes
While the Vanilla Dream Cake absolutely shines on its own, it pairs delightfully with sides that play up its cozy flavors. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream makes it feel extra celebratory. If you’re having a fancier gathering, offer glasses of sparkling wine or a pot of fragrant Earl Grey tea—they both bring out the subtle vanilla notes in every bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to make your Vanilla Dream Cake an unforgettable centerpiece? Try baking it in a bundt pan for a playful twist, or slice the cake into cubes and layer it with frosting and fruit in a trifle dish. Cupcake versions are always a crowd-pleaser, especially for birthdays or showers. You can even go mini with layered jar cakes—just stack cubes of cake and dollops of frosting for a portable treat that’s as cute as it is delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Vanilla Dream Cake (lucky you!), wrap the sliced pieces well in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. It will stay soft and fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days, or pop it in the fridge for up to 5 days—just bring it back to room temp before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Freezing
Vanilla Dream Cake freezes beautifully, making it perfect for planning ahead. Wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. When you’re ready, thaw them at room temperature, then frost as usual. You can also freeze leftover frosted slices—just let them thaw in the fridge overnight and enjoy!
Reheating
If your Vanilla Dream Cake has been refrigerated or frozen, let it sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes to take the chill off. There’s no need to microwave; a slice of cake naturally returns to its soft, dreamy best as it warms up gently on the counter.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat milk or a milk alternative in this recipe?
Absolutely! While whole milk gives the richest flavor and texture, you can swap in 2 percent milk or a favorite dairy-free alternative like almond or oat milk. Just keep in mind that the final crumb may be slightly less moist, but your Vanilla Dream Cake will still be delicious.
What’s the best way to ensure my cake layers are even?
Dividing the batter as evenly as possible between the pans helps, but for absolute precision, you can weigh the filled pans on a kitchen scale before baking. Gently smoothing the tops with a spatula ensures they bake up flat and pretty.
Can I make Vanilla Dream Cake cupcakes instead?
Of course! Simply divide the batter among standard cupcake tins lined with papers (about two-thirds full). Bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes, keeping an eye out for that golden top and a clean toothpick.
How do I keep my cake from sticking to the pans?
Generously grease the pans with butter or nonstick spray and dust them with flour. Or for extra insurance, line the bottoms with parchment paper cut to fit—this guarantees easy release and frustration-free layers.
Can I add other flavors to this cake?
Yes! While the vanilla is the star of the show, you can absolutely add lemon zest, a splash of almond extract, or even fold in mini chocolate chips for a fun twist. It’s your Vanilla Dream Cake—make it your own!
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a crowd-pleaser that never goes out of style, Vanilla Dream Cake is your answer. Every bite is soft, fluffy, and brimming with pure vanilla flavor—the kind of cake people remember long after the last crumb. So gather your ingredients and give it a try; I promise you’ll make it again and again!
Print
Vanilla Dream Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the dreamy goodness of this Vanilla Dream Cake! Moist and fluffy vanilla cake layers with a creamy buttery frosting make this a classic dessert perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup sour cream
Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: To 350°F (175°C) and prepare cake pans.
- Prepare dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Mix wet ingredients: Beat butter and sugar, add eggs one by one, mix in vanilla.
- Combine: Alternate dry and wet ingredients in three parts, mixing until just combined.
- Bake: Divide batter, bake for 25–30 minutes, then cool.
- Make frosting: Beat butter, add sugar, vanilla, cream, and salt until fluffy.
- Frost: Frost and decorate cooled cakes.
Notes
- For extra moisture, brush layers with vanilla syrup before frosting.
- Cake layers can be made ahead and frozen for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
