Bake the Perfect Vanilla Velvet Cake in Just 8 Steps

Photo byAngie Bright

There’s something magical about a beautifully frosted, three-layer cake. The Vanilla Velvet Cake is one of those timeless recipes that never fails to impress. Its soft, moist texture and rich vanilla flavor, topped with smooth buttercream, make it a classic dessert for any occasion. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, hosting a dinner party, or just craving something sweet, this cake is the perfect choice.

The beauty of a Vanilla Velvet Cake lies in its simplicity. Unlike more complex flavors, the vanilla shines through with its subtle, sweet profile. This cake is all about highlighting the purity of vanilla, combined with the richness of butter and buttermilk to give it a velvety, melt-in-your-mouth crumb. The light, fluffy vanilla buttercream adds a delicate sweetness, creating the ultimate balance of flavor and texture.

Recipe: Vanilla Velvet Cake (3 Layers)

This easy-to-follow recipe walks you through the process of baking a show-stopping Vanilla Velvet Cake in eight simple steps.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk

For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk, for thinning)

Optional Garnish:

• Fresh berries or edible flowers
• Vanilla bean pods for decoration

Directions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans and set them aside.
2. Prepare the Cake Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which should take about 3-5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for that extra burst of flavor.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three portions, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the flour mixture, making sure to mix until just combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense, so be gentle at this stage.
5. Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Once baked, let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Make the Buttercream Frosting: While the cakes cool, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until it’s creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and enough heavy cream to reach your desired consistency. Continue to beat the frosting until it’s smooth and fluffy.
7. Assemble the Cake: Place one of the cake layers on a serving plate and spread an even layer of frosting on top. Place the second layer on top of the first, repeat with frosting, then add the third layer. Once all layers are stacked, frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream, making sure to smooth the sides and top for a polished finish.
8. Garnish and Serve: If you want to elevate the presentation, garnish the cake with fresh berries, edible flowers, or vanilla bean pods. These simple touches add a pop of color and elegance to the dessert.

A Slice of Perfection:

Once you've cut into this Vanilla Velvet Cake, each bite offers a heavenly combination of moist layers and velvety buttercream. The cake's texture is light yet rich, making it an ideal treat for those who appreciate the comforting, classic flavor of vanilla. Serve it with a cup of coffee or tea, and you have yourself a delightful dessert that’s bound to be the star of any celebration.

For your Vanilla Velvet Cake (3 Layers) recipe, I gathered useful references to enhance your baking experience and compare techniques:

1. Sally's Baking Addiction provides a detailed guide for a moist and fluffy vanilla cake. The recipe emphasizes proper ingredient temperatures and offers key tips like creaming butter and sugar adequately and ensuring your cakes cool fully before frosting​(Sally's Baking Addiction).
2. King Arthur Baking outlines a similar approach, focusing on the use of buttermilk for a tender crumb and giving step-by-step guidance for mixing and baking white velvet cakes​(King Arthur Baking).
3. Life, Love and Sugar discusses decorating options, like adding sprinkles or drips, and provides instructions for making a smooth buttercream to pair with your cake​(Life Love and Sugar).
4. My Cake School includes extra tips on creating a soft, velvety cake using buttermilk and cream cheese in the batter, and decorating with buttercream roses for a refined look​(My Cake School).