Fluffy Vanilla Buttermilk Cake Recipe: Luscious Homemade Joy

Sweet aromas waft through kitchens when a classic vanilla buttermilk cake rises to perfection.

This delectable buttermilk cake brings comfort and elegance to any dessert table.

Soft, tender crumbs melt in your mouth with each delightful bite.

Generations of bakers have cherished this simple yet remarkable recipe passed down through time.

The ingredients blend harmoniously, creating a dessert that speaks of warmth and nostalgia.

Creamy vanilla notes dance through every slice, promising a moment of pure culinary bliss.

You’ll savor every single crumb of this irresistible cake that turns ordinary moments into something extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 13

Everything You’ll Need For Moist Vanilla Buttermilk Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy cake structure with fine, soft texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise evenly and creates light, fluffy crumb.
• Baking Soda: Balances acidity and ensures tender cake consistency.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Buttermilk: Adds tangy richness and creates incredibly moist cake texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures smooth, tender crumb and prevents dryness.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides rich, smooth structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers deep, warm flavor profile with aromatic complexity.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens cake and contributes to golden caramelized exterior.
• Powdered Sugar: Optional topping for classic decorative finish.

Baking Tools For Moist Vanilla Buttermilk Cake

• Electric mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure cake success.
• 9-inch round cake pans: Two pans needed for layered cake.
• Parchment paper: Optional but helps prevent cake from sticking.
• Whisk: Great for mixing dry ingredients evenly.
• Rubber spatula: Helps scrape batter from sides of bowl.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottom.
• Oven: Must be preheated to 350F (175C) before baking.

Steps To Make Moist Vanilla Buttermilk Cake Fluffy

• Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F, getting it ready for baking magic.

• Prepare Cake Pans

Lovingly coat your cake pans with butter and dust with flour, or line them with parchment paper to ensure a smooth cake release.

• Mix Dry Ingredients

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl, creating a fluffy foundation for your cake.

• Cream Butter and Sugar

Beat butter and sugar until they transform into a light, creamy dream that looks like soft clouds.

• Add Eggs and Vanilla

Gently fold in eggs one at a time, then splash in pure vanilla extract, blending until silky smooth.

• Alternate Wet and Dry

Slowly mix in buttermilk and dry ingredients, alternating between them to create a perfectly balanced batter.

• Pour and Spread

Transfer the batter into prepared pans, spreading it evenly with a spatula for a beautifully balanced cake.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the pans into the warm oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Cool and Enjoy

Let the cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

Flavor Ideas For Moist Vanilla Buttermilk Cake

• Buttermilk Magic: Use room temperature buttermilk and eggs for a smoother, more evenly mixed batter that guarantees a tender, moist cake every single time.
• Flour Power: Sift your dry ingredients to eliminate lumps and ensure a lighter, more delicate cake texture that melts in your mouth.
• Gentle Mixing: Avoid overmixing the batter – stop stirring as soon as ingredients are just combined to prevent a tough, dense cake and maintain its delicate crumb.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful vanilla cake.
• Flavor Boost: Enhance the vanilla profile by adding a splash of pure vanilla bean paste or scraping fresh vanilla seeds into the batter for an extra luxurious taste experience.

How To Serve Moist Vanilla Buttermilk Cake With Style

• Elegant Dessert Plate: Dust the cake with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries for a stunning visual presentation.
• Creamy Companion: Serve thick slices alongside vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream to enhance the cake's delicate flavor and add luxurious richness.
• Tea Time Delight: Pair each slice with a hot cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea, creating a perfect afternoon treat that complements the cake's soft, tender crumb.
• Decadent Layering: Transform the cake into a celebration dessert by adding a smooth buttercream frosting between layers and covering the entire cake with a delicate vanilla cream.

Storage Advice For Moist Vanilla Buttermilk Cake

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cake covered at room temperature for 3-4 days in an airtight container to maintain moisture and freshness.
• Freezing Friendly: Wrap individual cake layers tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2 months for future dessert emergencies.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store frosted cake in sealed container for 5-6 days. Let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before serving to restore soft texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers a day before assembling, letting flavors meld and making party prep smoother. Cool completely before wrapping to prevent condensation.

Heavenly Vanilla Buttermilk Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Vanilla buttermilk cake delivers a perfect balance of tender crumb and rich flavor from Southern baking traditions. Generous slices promise comfort with creamy texture that welcomes sweet memories for home bakers.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1.75 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 1 tablespoons (15 ml) vanilla extract
• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) heavy cream or milk

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Instructions

1. Pan Preparation: Generously butter and flour two circular baking pans, lining bottoms with precisely trimmed parchment paper to ensure effortless cake release.
2. Oven Setup: Arrange oven rack in central position and preheat to 350°F, creating an ideal baking environment for consistent heat distribution.
3. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, eliminating potential clumps and incorporating air for a light, uniform cake texture.
4. Butter Transformation: Cream butter and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl, whipping until the mixture becomes voluminous, pale, and extraordinarily fluffy.
5. Egg Integration: Gently fold eggs into the butter mixture, ensuring complete incorporation and maintaining a smooth, homogeneous batter consistency.
6. Liquid Harmony: Methodically alternate adding dry ingredient mixture and buttermilk to the base, folding delicately to preserve essential air pockets and create a tender crumb.
7. Flavor Enhancement: Stir in vanilla extract, distributing the aromatic essence evenly throughout the batter for a balanced flavor profile.
8. Batter Distribution: Evenly divide the mixture between prepared pans, using a spatula to smooth surfaces and eliminate potential air bubbles.
9. Baking Process: Position pans in preheated oven, baking until a wooden pick inserted into the center emerges clean, indicating perfect doneness.
10. Cooling Technique: Allow cakes to rest briefly in pans before transferring to a wire rack, enabling complete cooling and optimal texture development.

Notes

• Prevent Cake Sticking: Thoroughly grease and flour pans, ensuring every corner gets covered to guarantee smooth cake release without torn edges.
• Maintain Batter Airiness: Gently fold ingredients to preserve delicate air bubbles, which create the cake’s signature light and fluffy texture.
• Ensure Precise Temperature: Use room temperature ingredients, especially eggs and buttermilk, to help batter blend smoothly and bake evenly without temperature shock.
• Control Moisture Balance: Do not overmix batter, as excessive stirring can develop gluten and create a dense, tough cake instead of a tender crumb.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg