This perfectly Moist Vanilla Cake Recipe is a more dense cake with a tight crumb. Instead of light and fluffy this is more like a sponge cake. It’s packed full of vanilla and after the first bite, you know it’s homemade.

Moist Vanilla Cake Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 min

Total Time: 50 minutes

INGREDIENTS

For the cake:

• 2 cups (380g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (118 ml) vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) vanilla extract
• ½ cup(118 ml) light sour cream
• 2 ½ cups (350 g) all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons (11.2 g) baking powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
• 1 ¼ cups (296 ml) milk (I use nonfat)

For the frosting

• 3/4 cup ( 170g )unsalted butter, cold
• 2 1/2cups (325g ) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoons (5ml ) pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon (15ml ) heavy whipping cream

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until the eggs and oil are well incorporated and the batter is lighter in color, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
3. Next mix in the sour cream and beat until well combined.
4. Add half the flour followed by the baking powder and salt, and beat on low speed while pouring in half of the milk and mix just until the flour starts to incorporate.
5. Finally add the remaining flour, mixing on low speed while pouring in the remaining milk and beating until all of the ingredients are well combined.
6. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir the batter from the bottom to the top to ensure it’s well mixed.
7. Pour the batter in a 9-inch by 13-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 28-32 minutes, keeping a careful eye on the baking during the last few minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
8. Test the cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, your cake is done.
9. Cut the butter into pieces. Using the paddle attachment, whip the butter for 5-7 minutes, scraping down the bowl occasionally, beating until the butter look light in color.
10. Add the powdered sugar and mix on low speed until incorporated into the butter then add the vanilla extract  and heavy cream and mix to combine. Beat for about 60 seconds.
11. Continuing beating on low until the ingredients start to mix together. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for another 3-5 minutes to whip additional air into the frosting. Spread over cooled cake.

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