White Cake Recipe - Preppy Kitchen (2024)

White Cake Recipe - Preppy Kitchen (1)

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White Cake Recipe

This White Cake Recipe is moist, fluffy, and stacks in two beautiful layers with a simple frosting, making it simply one of the best classic desserts. Add decorations, bake into 8-inch or 9-inch layers, or make a 9x13 cake. A simple, easy, and versatile cake recipe.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Calories 800kcal

Author John Kanell

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (360g)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups granulated sugar (400g)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened (227g)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 1 cup whole milk room temperature (240ml)
  • 5 large egg whites room temperature

For the Vanilla Buttercream:

  • cups unsalted butter room temperature (340g)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 5 cups confectioner's sugar (600g)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 - 4 tablespoons whole milk

Instructions

For the Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease two 8-inch round pans with baking spray or butter and flour, then line the bottoms with parchment paper.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

  • In a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 30 seconds. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

  • Add the egg whites, one at a time, mixing until incorporated well before adding the next. Stop and scrape the bowl down occasionally. Add the extracts and beat until fluffy, about 30 seconds.

  • With the mixer on low, add a third of the flour mixture followed by half of the milk. Repeat with another third of the flour, the remaining milk, finally ending with the remaining flour. Scrape down the bowl and ensure the batter is well mixed. Divide the batter among the prepared cake pans.

  • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the centers spring back when gently pressed. Let the cakes cool completely in the pans set on wire cooling racks. Once cooled, invert the cakes onto the racks and remove the parchment paper.

For the Frosting:

  • In a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and salt on medium speed until very soft and smooth, about 2 minutes.

  • With the mixer on low speed, gradually add in the confectioners’ sugar. Scrape the bowl down ocassionally. Beat in the vanilla. Slowly beat in 1 tablespoon of milk and continue beating on medium-low speed adding more milk as needed until the texture is smooth and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.

For the Assembly:

  • Place one cool cake layer top-side up on a cake stand. Spread 1 cup of frosting over the top of the cake all the way to the edge. Top with the other cake layer, placing it bottom-side up.

  • Spread the remaining frosting all over the top and sides of the cake. If desired, you can reserve ½ cup of frosting to pipe decoration onto the cake.

Video

Notes

  • Line the cake pans with parchment paper. The best way to easily remove the baked cakes from the pans without cracking or crumbling is to place a parchment round in the bottom after greasing them. This will allow the cakes to be released easily.
  • Alternate adding the flour and milk. Add about ⅓ of the flour mixture while mixing at a low speed, followed by ½ of the milk. Continue alternating wet and dry ingredients for a smooth batter that isn’t overmixed.
  • Use cake strips for the flattest layers. For flat layers that stack to perfection, see my tutorial on how to get perfect flat layer cakes, using cake strips made from foil or fabric.
  • Bake the cakes until the centers are springy. The cakes are ready when the center is set and springs back when pressed slightly.
  • Cool the cakes to room temperature before frosting. Cool the cakes on a wire rack at room temperature, before inverting them and removing the parchment paper.
  • Cake pan variations and cook times. Bake this cake in two 9-inch rounds for 30-35 minutes or as a sheet cake in a 9x13 pan for about 40 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 800kcal | Carbohydrates: 108g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 351mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 84g | Vitamin A: 1217IU | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 2mg

White Cake Recipe - Preppy Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What flavor is white cake? ›

Both white and yellow cakes are vanilla cakes—assuming they contain vanilla extract or paste. Vanilla cake is a catch-all term for sponge cakes that have a vanilla flavor. French vanilla cake is also a vanilla cake, but with a more distinct flavor.

Why is my vanilla cake not white? ›

When you do come across a recipe that's specifically called vanilla cake and not white or yellow cake, look closely at the ingredients: If it contains only egg whites, it's a white cake, and if it contains whole eggs, it's a yellow cake.

How do you make a cake taste richer? ›

How To Make Box Cake Better [19 Different Ways]
  1. Use an extra egg. Using an extra egg or two adds richness and moisture to your box cake. ...
  2. Use milk instead of water. ...
  3. Swap water for juice. ...
  4. Use butter instead of oil. ...
  5. Add a few spoonfuls of mayo. ...
  6. Use instant pudding mix. ...
  7. Make it nutty. ...
  8. Use coffee instead of water.
Jun 30, 2023

Which flour is used to make cake? ›

Since its gluten proteins are very weak, cake flour is often used to make soft, tender baked goods like cakes, pastries, or biscuits. A chlorination process further breaks down cake flour's gluten, creating a flour that's even more delicate. All-purpose flour is made from a mixture of hard and soft wheat.

Are white cake and vanilla cake the same? ›

Both white and yellow cakes are vanilla cakes—assuming they contain vanilla extract or paste. Vanilla cake is a catch-all term for sponge cakes that have a vanilla flavor. French vanilla cake is also a vanilla cake, but with a more distinct flavor.

What's the difference between white cake and vanilla cake? ›

Vanilla extract is usually added to the batter to give the cake its distinctive taste. While the texture of vanilla cake can be light and fluffy like white cake, it can also be denser and moister, depending on the recipe. Vanilla cake is a great choice for those who prefer a cake with more flavor than white cake.

What makes a cake light and fluffy? ›

You need to incorporate as much air into the eggs as possible, as this is what levels the cake and will give you a light and fluffy sponge. Set a timer for 7 minutes and allow the electric mixer to do the work before adding any sugar. The eggs should triple in volume and look pale, thick and shiny.

Can I use both butter and oil in cake? ›

If you were to use exclusively oil, the cake would turn out much denser than you may have intended. If you're unsure, it's safest to use a 50/50 combination of butter and oil instead of replacing the butter completely.

What makes a cake dense vs fluffy? ›

If a recipe includes a lot of acid such as lemon juice and buttermilk and isn't lifted with enough baking powder, the cake will taste dense. In that case, you may need the addition of baking soda which will react with the acid and create a fluffier crumb.

What is the secret to a perfect cake? ›

The next time you're baking a cake, keep these simple tricks in mind:
  1. Prep the ingredients. Have all of the ingredients at room temperature, unless the recipe directs otherwise. ...
  2. Use the right flour. ...
  3. Prep your pans. ...
  4. Alternate wet and dry ingredients. ...
  5. Preheat. ...
  6. Release air bubbles. ...
  7. Test for doneness. ...
  8. Cool down.
Jun 29, 2022

What happens when you add sour cream to a box cake mix? ›

Sour cream is one of the fattiest dairy products; the extra fat content (for example, adding sour cream to a cake instead of milk) will make the cake moister and richer, says Wilk. "Fat, in any form (butter, lard, cream, etc.) shortens gluten strands, which essentially leads to the most tender baked goods," she adds.

How do you make a cake look expensive? ›

Consider using a pedestal stand for added height and drama. Make sure the surface is clean and free of any smudges or crumbs. Additionally, you can adorn the base of the cake with decorative elements such as edible pearls, gold leaf, or sugar flowers to create a visually appealing and luxurious look.

Can I use AP flour instead of cake flour? ›

Yes, you can. You'll wind up with a similar cake, just with a slight difference in texture and crumb. Both flours perform the same in recipes — they'll mix into identical batters — but the final results will differ to a small degree.

Does sifting flour make a difference? ›

Cakes with very fine crumbs or that rely on eggs or egg whites for lift, such as sponge or angel food cakes, benefit from sifted flour. You eliminate the risk of clumps and ensure that the flour can be stirred into the batter quicker and easier without knocking all the air out of your beaten eggs.

What is the best flour for moist cake? ›

cake flour has a low protein content and high starch content. making it perfect for a super soft and fluffy texture. all purpose flour has a higher protein content. and will make a cake that is shorter and has a more coarse texture.

What flavor is white vs yellow cake mix? ›

While yellow cake and white cake are both vanilla flavored, yellow cake tends to be much richer and moist because of the full eggs and butter combo.

Does white cake taste different than yellow cake? ›

While the flavor of vanilla white cake is similar to vanilla yellow cake, there may be a difference in the texture. Because you're using only the egg whites, you won't have as much fat incorporated into the batter which makes the cake less tender than its yellow counterpart.

What types of cakes are white? ›

If you don't care for chocolate, try these white cake recipes! Almond cakes, vanilla cakes, butter cakes, sheet cakes, bundt cakes and more.

What is the description of white cake? ›

White cake is a simple one, featuring a fine, moist crumb. It is commonly used for weddings, birthdays and other special occasions. It is made like most plain cakes, but the big difference is egg whites are used. This gives white cake its characteristic pure-white coloring.

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