12 Plain and Fancy Vanilla Cakes
Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Debbie Wee
Vanilla cake is a birthday go-to, whether you prefer chocolate icing or raspberry buttercream. We like to punch up classic vanilla cake by using brown butter or vanilla beans in the batter, enveloping it in salted caramel, or crowning it with fresh fruit. From vanilla layer cakes to a luscious cheesecake and simple pound cake, here are 12 of our favorite vanilla cake recipes.
Best-Ever Birthday Cake
Celebrate your birthday any day with a big slice of this super-fun sprinkle cake. Sour cream adds a perfect tangy balance to the easy chocolate frosting — and gives this kid-at-heart cake a delicious grown-up twist. The key to a tender crumb is to cream the sugar and butter longer than you think — at least five minutes — to incorporate plenty of air into the batter.
Brown Butter Layer Cake
Seattle chef Tom Douglas uses brown butter for an indulgent nutty flavor in this fun twist on a classic white cake.
Vanilla Cupcakes
Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Debbie Wee
These vanilla cupcakes are the answer to any birthday party, picnic, potluck, or any event that deserves a little treat. What sets these cupcakes apart is the rich vanilla flavor. Don't skimp on the quality of the vanilla extract you use here; the simplest recipes require the highest quality ingredients.
Vanilla-Scented Cornmeal Cake with Olive Oil Buttercream
Pastry chef Bronwen Wyatt's rich, elegant cake is perfect for just about any celebration you may have coming your way. You can simply spread the buttercream frosting to cover it, swirling for a little flair, or follow Wyatt's decorating tips by using a pastry bag to form ruffles and squiggles with the buttercream. Top the cake with your choice of edible decorations.
Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Walnut Crust
With a toasted walnut crust and tangy sour cream topping, this cool, creamy dessert is sophisticated in its simplicity. Fragrant vanilla shines in this unadorned (and gluten-free!) cheesecake: The recipe includes a tablespoon of pure vanilla extract plus the seeds of a whole vanilla bean.
Chantilly Cream Cake
Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless
This pillowy vanilla cake is light, tender, and not too sweet, and beautiful enough for any special occasion. Brushing elderflower liqueur on the cake lends it delightful floral notes. The dehydrated berries ground into the filling are a bit tart but balanced with sweetness; they also give it a beautiful color. The mascarpone chantilly frosting is light and creamy — a perfect final touch.
Yellow Layer Cake with Vanilla Frosting
This simple cake is perfect for everything from birthday parties to picnics.
Victoria Sandwich
A buttery, vanilla-scented cake, sandwiched with sweet jam (and often whipped cream), is a British teatime classic. In this version, fresh raspberries are added to the filling as well, delivering a tart, juicy contrast to the sweet jam. Be sure to take the time to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly — that essential step provides lift and good structure to the cake.
Vanilla Bean Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce
"I tried making this as an upside-down cake, which was a disaster, but then I realized I could just pour the caramel on top," Los Angeles pastry chef and chocolatier Valerie Gordon says.
Vanilla Bean Cake
This is a version of pastry chef Bill Yosses' signature dessert at the now-shuttered Citarella Restaurant, in New York City. The batter needs to chill for at least eight hours before baking, so plan accordingly.
Vanilla Cupcakes with Lemon Cream and Raspberries
Pastry chef Bill Yosses doubles the butter in the delectable lemon curd that tops these white vanilla cupcakes. He also sneaks in a layer of raspberry jam for an extra pop of flavor.
Jacques Pépin's Favorite Pound Cake
The French call pound cake quatre-quarts ("four-fourths") because it is made with equal parts flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. Jacques Pépin's mother, aunt, and cousin all have their versions. He likes to fold in candied citrus peels to make a French fruit cake; he also loves plain slices dipped in espresso. If you'd like to amp up the vanilla flavor, simply increase the amount of extract or add vanilla bean.
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