• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Rich And Delish
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • 3 ingredient
    • Air Fryer
    • Appetizers
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Desserts
      • Cheesecakes
      • Cookies
      • Cupcakes
      • Chocolate
      • Cakes
      • Bars & Brownies
      • No Bake Desserts
      • Muffins
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Gluten Free
    • Holiday
      • Christmas
      • Fall / thanksgiving
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Vegetarian
  • Shop
  • About
    • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Work With Us

Home » All Recipes » Desserts

8 Inch Vanilla Cake

Published: May 19, 2022 · Modified: Oct 2, 2022 by RichandDelish · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Sharing is caring!

18 shares
  • Facebook
  • Yummly
  • Twitter
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This 8 inch vanilla cake is made with 3 layers of tender, fluffy, and moist vanilla cake layers, topped and filled with a decadent vanilla buttercream that makes the perfect cake.

Slice of 8 inch vanilla cake with a fork inserted into the slice.

This cake has a few secret ingredients that make this the moistest and the most fluffy cake. Make sure that you follow the instruction and read our tips to make this cake perfect and delish!

If you like making layer cake as much as we do, check out our black forest cake, best ever chocolate cake, super moist carrot cake, lotus biscoff cake, and our Nutella cake!

Jump to:
  • Why this recipe works
  • Ingredients
  • How to make even cake layers
  • Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Faq's
  • Storing
  • Freezing
  • Make it ahead
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Why this recipe works

  • Is made with sour cream, butter, vegetable oil, and vinegar which makes this cake super moist and tender.
  • Is made with delicious and creamy vanilla buttercream.
  • Can be topped with any frosting that you like most!
  • Is really simple to make and uses simple ingredients that you probably have laying around in your kitchen.
3 layer vanilla cake on a white cake platter.

Ingredients

Before you start to make this recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the cooking process will go smoothly and efficiently.

For the cake:

Butter- use unsalted butter for this recipe. Only butter will work for this recipe, no margarine, and no coconut oil. Margarine has a weird taste and can ruin the flavor of this dessert.

Eggs- you will need 4 large eggs for this recipe. Make sure that your eggs are at room temperature.

Flour– we used all-purpose flour for this recipe. cake flour will work great as well.

Baking powder– baking powder allows the cake to rise. Make sure that your baking powder is not expired.

Granulated sugar– we like to use granulated sugar, the most common sugar used in baking. Caster sugar will work great as well.

Vanilla extract- adds extra flavor.

Milk– gives the cake extra moisture. Use whole milk for this recipe.

Vegetable oil â€“ we used vegetable oil for this recipe. canola oil will work great for this recipe.

Vinegar- is the secret ingredient that makes this cake extra moist and tender. You will need two teaspoon of vinegar for this recipe.

Sour cream- use either sour cream or Greek yogurt. Both will work great.

Kosher salt- you will need about ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt for this recipe.

For the vanilla buttercream:

Butter- use unsalted butter for this recipe. Only butter will work for this recipe, no margarine, and no coconut oil. Margarine has a weird taste and can ruin the flavor of these delicious cookies.

Powder sugar- you will need powder sugar for this recipe. you don’t have to buy powdered sugar, you can make it at home by blending granulated sugar in a blender or food processor.

Vanilla extract- adds extra flavor.

Kosher salt- we like to use kosher salt.

Milk- use whole milk.

Close up sjot of a cake.

How to make even cake layers

Our biggest tip to make even cake layers is to use a scale and cake strips. Weigh the chocolate cake batter and divide it into two even pans. Then use cake strips to make sure your cake layers bake evenly and don’t develop a dome on top.

Cake strips give you an evenly baked cake with a flat top.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat an oven to 180c (350f) and prepare 3 8-inch baking pans with parchment paper.

Step 2: Into a big mixing bowl, add the soft butter, and sugar. Mix with an electric hand mixer until creamy and smooth for about 3 minutes.

Cake process shots.

Step 3: Add the vanilla extract, vinegar, vegetable oil, sour cream, and kosher salt, and mix until creamy.

Cake process shots.

Step 4: Add the eggs one at a time mixing constantly until a creamy mixture forms.

Cake process shots.

Step 5: Then into a medium mixing bowl, add the flour, and baking powder. Mix with a whisk until combined.

Cake process shots.

Step 6: Add ½ of the dry mixture and the milk and mix it until almost combined.

Cake process shots.

Step 7: Add the other half of the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Cake process shots.

Step 8: Divide the batter into 3 8-inch baking pans and bake in a 180c (350f) preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes (depending on your oven) or until a toothpick is inserted into the cake and comes out clean.

Cake process shots.

Let the cakes cool to room temperature and remove them from the pans.

Cake in a pan.

Make the vanilla buttercream

Into a big mixing bowl, add the room temperature butter, powder sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix with an electric hand mixer for a few minutes until the buttercream is light in color and creamy.

Assemble the cake:

Pipe a small dollop of the vanilla buttercream on the surface that you will frost on. Lay the first cake layer over the frosting dot.

Top the first cake layer with â…“ of the buttercream and spread an even layer of the buttercream with a spatula.

Cake process shots.

Top the cake with the second cake layer. Repeat adding the buttercream and top with the third cake layer.

Cake process shots.

Frost the cake with the remaining vanilla buttercream and make a wave pattern with an offset spatula.

Top the cake with sprinkles if desired.

Cake process shots.

Expert Tips

  • Use room temperature ingredients. It is important that you use room-temperature ingredients like eggs and butter. This step ensures that your mixture mixes into a homogenous mixture and bakes perfectly. you don’t want to place cold batter into the oven.
  • Measure your flour correctly! When measuring your flour, avoid scooping it with a measuring cup. Instead, stir the flour with a spoon to create as many air pockets as possible, and spoon it into your measuring cup. Finally, level it with a back of a knife.
  • Don’t overmix the batter, you don’t want to develop the gluten in the flour. This step ensures you have a moist cake and not a dense and dry cake.
  • Use cake strips! Cake strips give you even and perfectly baked cake layers. Click here for the amazon link.
  • Line your baking pan with parchment paper! This step helps the cake to bake evenly, and it makes sure that your loaf cake will release easily from the pan.
  • Make sure that your butter is at room temperature. An hour or two before making these cookies, take the butter out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. The butter should be soft to the touch. If your butter is too cold, it will be harder to mix and there will be lumps of butter in the dough.
  • Be patient! I know it’s extremely tempting to frost this cake as it is pulled out of the oven, but let the cake cool for at least 1 hour so it will be more firm and won’t crumble up, and prevent the frosting from melting.
Cake on a platter.

Faq's

What flour do you use for this recipe?

We use all-purpose flour for this cake, self-rising flour, and cake flour will work great as well.

What makes this cake soft and moist?

This cake is made with butter, vegetable oil, sour cream, and vinegar which makes this cake extra moist and fluffy. I couldn't believe how moist and tender this cake is.

How long will this cake last?

This cake will last up to 4 days stored in the fridge. Cover the cake with plastic wrap or foil to prevent it from drying out. This cake tastes amazing for 4 days.

Can I use my favorite frosting on this cake?

Yes! You can use any kind of your favorite frosting on this cake, this cake is very versatile so you can turn it into whatever you want! You can use chocolate frosting, vanilla frosting, caramel frosting, etc.

Storing

This cake will last up to 5 in the fridge. Cover the cake with plastic wrap or foil to prevent it from drying out. This cake tastes amazing the day after.

Freezing

Freeze this cake after it cooled completely in an airtight freezer-friendly container for up to 3 months, some people find the cake tastes better after freezing it.

our tip is not to freeze it decorated or covered with frosting, because it can ruin the decorating on the cake, we suggest freezing the cake and decorating it when you defrost it.

If you’re not looking to impress anyone with your decorating skills, it’s absolutely okay to freeze the cake with the frosting on.

Close up shot of a cake on a cake platter.

Make it ahead

You can make this cake ahead by freezing the cake layers ahead of time. Wrap each cake layer with a few layers of plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours or in the fridge overnight.

When you are ready to frost and assemble the cake, make the frosting, chocolate ganache, and whipped cream and assemble the cake!

Substitutions

There are a few substitutions that may be helpful for your diet:

Gluten-free - if you want to make this recipe gluten-free, replace the flour with gluten-free flour.

Dairy-free - you can make this cake dairy-free by replacing the butter with vegan butter and replacing the buttermilk with vegan buttermilk. Also, replace the heavy cream with vegan heavy cream or coconut milk.

Variations

Frosting- Use your favorite chocolate frosting like dark chocolate frosting, stabilized chocolate whipped cream frosting, chocolate cream cheese frosting, etc.

More cake recipes

Chocolate cake- This is the best ever chocolate cake ever. I’ve been searching for the best one bowl chocolate cake recipe for so long and found it and can’t wait to share it with you!

Dark chocolate sheet cake- This dark chocolate sheet cake is super moist, made in one bowl chocolate cake that is topped with dark chocolate buttercream frosting. This cake was made for us chocolate lovers.

Marble loaf cake- This marble loaf cake is moist and flavorful and topped with a layer of chocolate ganache. Marble loaf cake is one of our favorite desserts to make because it's so beautiful and so delicious and we love the chocolate and vanilla combination!

If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and a comment below. We love hearing from you.

If you liked this recipe:

  • Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
  • Share/pin this recipe to Pinterest.
  • Leave a comment down below!

📖 Recipe

8 inch vanilla cake on a white cake platter.

8 Inch Vanilla Cake

Rich and delish
This 8 inch vanilla cake is made with 3 layers of tender, fluffy, and moist vanilla cake layers, topped and filled with a decadent vanilla buttercream that makes the perfect cake.
5 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 40 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Cool time 1 hr
Total Time 2 hrs 10 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10 slices
Calories 805 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 cups Flour
  • 3 teaspoon Baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 115 g Butter
  • 2 cup Granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoon Vinegar
  • â…“ cup Sour cream
  • ½ cup Vegetable oil
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Vanilla buttercream:

  • 350 g Butter soften
  • 5 cups Powder sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • â…“ cup Heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat an oven to 180c (350f) and prepare 3 8-inch baking pans with parchment paper.
  • Into a big mixing bowl, add the soft butter, and sugar. Mix with an electric hand mixer until creamy and smooth for about 3 minutes.
  • Add the vanilla extract, vinegar, vegetable oil, sour cream, and kosher salt, and mix until creamy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time mixing constantly until a creamy mixture forms.
  • Then into a medium mixing bowl, add the flour, and baking powder. Mix with a whisk until combined.
  • Add ½ of the dry mixture and the milk and mix it until almost combined.
  • Add the other half of the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  • Divide the batter into 3 8-inch baking pans and bake in a 180c (350f) preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes (depending on your oven) or until a toothpick is inserted into the cake comes out clean.
  • Let the cakes cool to room temperature and remove them from the pans.

Make the vanilla buttercream

  • Into a big mixing bowl, add the room temperature butter, powder sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix with an electric hand mixer for a few minutes until the buttercream is light in color and creamy.

Assemble the cake:

  • Pipe a small dollop of the vanilla buttercream on the surface that you will frost on. Lay the first cake layer over the frosting dot.
  • Top the first cake layer with â…“ of the buttercream and spread an even layer of the buttercream with a spatula.
  • Top the cake with the second cake layer. Repeat adding the buttercream and top with the third cake layer.
  • Frost the cake with the remaining vanilla buttercream and make a wave pattern with an offset spatula.
  • Top the cake with sprinkles if desired.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients. It is important that you use room-temperature ingredients like eggs and butter. This step ensures that your mixture mixes into a homogenous mixture and bakes perfectly. you don’t want to place cold batter into the oven.
  • Measure your flour correctly! When measuring your flour, avoid scooping it with a measuring cup. Instead, stir the flour with a spoon to create as many air pockets as possible, and spoon it into your measuring cup. Finally, level it with a back of a knife.
  • Don’t overmix the batter, you don’t want to develop the gluten in the flour. This step ensures you have a moist cake and not a dense and dry cake.
  • Use cake strips! Cake strips give you even and perfectly baked cake layers. Click here for the amazon link.
  • Line your baking pan with parchment paper! This step helps the cake to bake evenly, and it makes sure that your loaf cake will release easily from the pan.
  • Make sure that your butter is at room temperature. An hour or two before making these cookies, take the butter out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. The butter should be soft to the touch. If your butter is too cold, it will be harder to mix and there will be lumps of butter in the dough.
  • Be patient! I know it’s extremely tempting to frost this cake as it is pulled out of the oven, but let the cake cool for at least 1 hour so it will be more firm and won’t crumble up, and prevent the frosting from melting.

Nutrition

Calories: 805kcalCarbohydrates: 133gProtein: 8gFat: 56gSaturated Fat: 29gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 182mgSodium: 699mgPotassium: 132mgFiber: 1gSugar: 42gVitamin A: 1461IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 141mgIron: 2mg
Keyword 8 inch vanilla cake, Vanilla cake
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

« Challah Buns (Challah Rolls)
Mango Pineapple Smoothie »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Blimey

    August 19, 2022 at 2:06 pm

    This cake looks sooo good!
    Can I use Lemon Juice instead of vinegar? (Cuz of Allergies)
    Thanking you in advance,

    Reply
    • RichandDelish

      August 19, 2022 at 2:47 pm

      Thanks! You sure can!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Thank you for dropping by!
Our blog is all about simple and delicious recipes. We’re showing you step by step how to make our favorite recipes. Visit our social media for more content!

  • TikTok
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Search Through Our Recipes

Popular Recipes

  • double chocolate banana bread recipe
    Banana BreadBreadsBreakfastChocolateChristmasDessertsQuick BreadValentine's DayVegetarian

    Double Chocolate Banana Bread

  • no bake mango cheesecake recipe
    CheesecakesDessertsNo Bake DessertsVegetarian

    No Bake Mango Cheesecake

  • Lemon cooler cookies on a white backround with lemon slices.
    CookiesDessertsVegetarian

    Lemon Cooler Cookies

  • Sliced loaf of honey cake on a parchment paper.
    CakesDessertsEasy CakesHolidayLoaf CakeVegetarian

    Moist Honey Cake (Rosh Hashanah)

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ

Recipes

  • Recipes Categories
  • Breakfast
  • Deserts

Subscribe and Follow

  • TikTok
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Copyright © Rich And Delish 2022 | Website Terms & Privacy Policy