The beauty of a loaf cake is in its simplicity. They are easy to prepare, easy to transport, and easy to serve. Plus, they are the perfect thing to serve at any time of day and I will take that as my cue to eat cake any time of the day I like.

And while most loaf cakes are delicious in their naked state, a simple glaze or scoop of ice cream is almost always a good idea.

Vanilla Loaf Cake

This simple cake is baked in a loaf pan and needs no adornment except perhaps a drizzle of icing or a spoonful of berry sauce. The batter is made with oil which helps the cake stay moist and delicious for several days. (Ha! So funny that it could possibly last that long without being eaten.)

Photo byRebecca Blackwell/ ofbatteranddough.com

Follow the basic loaf cake recipe to bake a simple, flavorful vanilla cake that's covered in vanilla icing. Or, use this recipe to create 3 other delicious loaf cake varieties: cinnamon, blueberry, or raspberry swirl.

Recipe: Vanilla Loaf Cake

For step-by-step photos and instructions, please see the original recipe: Vanilla Loaf Cake

• 1 ¾ cups (210g) flour
• 2 teaspoon (8g) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.25g) table salt - OR ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100g/ 118ml) vegetable or canola oil
• ½ cup (4oz/ 113g) plain, whole milk yogurt
• 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (2oz/ 57g) heavy whipping cream
• Vanilla Icing

1. Grease and flour a loaf pan and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C). Here's how to Grease and Flour Cake Pans.
2. Add the flour, baking powder and salt to a medium size bowl and stir with a wire whisk to combine.
3. Beat the eggs and sugar with an elecric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment for 3-4 minutes, until the mixture is lightened in color and thick. If you lift the beater from the batter, the mixture should fold back on itself like a ribbon. (See photo above for reference)
4. With the mixer running on medium speed, pour the vegetable oil into the egg and sugar mixture very slowly. Pour the oil in a thin steady stream as the mixer runs, so that it creates a fully emulsified (combined) batter.
5. Add the yogurt and vanilla, mixing just until combined. Then use a spoon or rubber spatula to stir in the dry ingredients into the batter. Mix just until the batter is smooth.
6. In a seperate bowl, beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer until medium peaks form. If you lift the beater from the whipped cream, a peak of cream will form that gently folds back over itself.
7. Using a spoon or rubber spatula, gently fold the cream into the batter. Mix just until about 90% of the whipped cream is incorporated into the batter. You should still be able to see a few white streaks.
8. Pour the batter into the preapared loaf pan and bake for 40 - 43 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out without any evidence of raw batter.
9. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then carefully turn it out onto a wire rack. Let the cake cool completly before covering with icing.

Recipe Notes:

• My three favorite ways to finish this loaf cake is with a drizzle of simple Vanilla Icing or Lemon Icing or a few spoonfuls of this easy Berry Sauce.
• Store this cake at room temperature for up to 4 days. Make sure the cake is well wrapped, or in an air-tight container to prevent it from drying out.

How to turn this recipe into three delicious variations

1. Cinnamon Swirl Loaf Cake - This mouthwatering cinnamon loaf cake covered in vanilla icing is one of the many flavor variations that start with the simple vanilla loaf cake mentioned above. This cake is moist and tender with thick gooey ribbons of cinnamon and sugar swirled into every delicious slice.
2. Blueberry Loaf Cake - This simple loaf cake is quick and easy to make, can be made with either fresh or frozen blueberries, and has a delicious soft and tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth.
3. Raspberry Swirl Loaf Cake - This delicious Raspberry Swirl Loaf Cake covered in Lemon Icing is one of the many flavor variations that start with this simple Vanilla Loaf Cake recipe. The cake is moist and tender and contains bright ribbon of raspberry swirled into every delicious slice.

For more of my recipes, visit alittleandalot.com and ofbatteranddough.com.

Photo byRebecca Blackwell/ rebeccablackwell.com

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