Name: Vanilla Dream Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature); 2 cups granulated sugar; 4 large eggs (room temperature); 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract; 1 cup whole milk (room temperature); ½ cup sour cream (room temperature)

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If you’re looking for a cake that’s pure, cloud-soft, and instantly lifts the mood of any occasion, look no further than this Vanilla Dream Cake. This gem turns simple ingredients into a showstopping dessert with a golden crumb, a buttery aroma, and an irresistible vanilla flavor that’s neither too sweet nor too plain. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or just want a classic treat for family night, the Vanilla Dream Cake brings joyful nostalgia and true comfort in every bite.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Vanilla Dream Cake comes from humble basics chosen with care, and each ingredient plays a key role in how melt-in-your-mouth the layers turn out. Gather these pantry staples, and you’re on your way to a cake that’s fluffy, flavorful, and downright dreamy.

All-purpose flour: Provides the cake’s sturdy-yet-tender structure for each delectable slice.
Baking powder: Ensures the Vanilla Dream Cake rises beautifully and stays light.
Salt: Just half a teaspoon balances all the sweet flavors perfectly.
Unsalted butter (room temperature): Beat this until airy for exceptional richness and a soft crumb.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that lovely golden-brown exterior.
Large eggs (room temperature): Incorporate air for extra fluffiness and hold everything together.
Pure vanilla extract: The star of the show, giving your cake its signature enchanting vanilla aroma and taste.
Whole milk (room temperature): Contributes to that moist, tender bite we love in a Vanilla Dream Cake.
Sour cream (room temperature): Adds tang and extra moisture for a perfectly soft and luscious cake.

How to Make Vanilla Dream Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Equipment

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing two 9-inch round cake pans. You can also line the bottoms with parchment paper to make sure your cakes lift out effortlessly. This small step goes a long way in creating a fuss-free cake assembly later.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking evenly distributes the leavening, ensuring your Vanilla Dream Cake layers rise with a consistent fluffiness every time.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat your room-temperature butter and sugar together for about 3 minutes. You’ll see the mixture turn pale and fluffy, which means it’s trapping air to help your layers bake up light as a feather.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing just enough to blend after each addition. Next, pour in the pure vanilla extract and beat until combined, filling your kitchen with that heartwarming scent only Vanilla Dream Cake can deliver.

Step 5: Create Your Milk Mixture

In a small bowl, whisk your whole milk and sour cream together until smooth. This duo locks in moisture and gives the cake its tender, melt-away texture.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry

With your mixer on low, alternate adding the dry flour mixture and the milk mixture to the butter base—beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. This classic technique ensures your Vanilla Dream Cake turns out fluffy, not dense. Mix until everything is just combined; don’t overbeat!

Step 7: Bake the Layers

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and smooth the tops. Pop the pans into the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re golden and a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Step 8: Cool Completely

Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes—this helps them set—then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool all the way before frosting. Patience pays off here, as a well-cooled Vanilla Dream Cake is a joy to frost and serve!

How to Serve Vanilla Dream Cake

Garnishes

The beauty of Vanilla Dream Cake is that it pairs beautifully with almost anything. A simple swoop of vanilla buttercream, a cascade of fresh berries, or even a dusting of powdered sugar can take this dessert from homey to decadent in seconds. Vanilla bean flecks in your frosting add both flavor and visual flair.

Side Dishes

Balance each slice with a dollop of whipped cream and a scoop of berry sorbet or vanilla ice cream. A handful of lightly toasted almonds or a spoonful of macerated strawberries offer an extra pop of color and flavor on the dessert plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Try layering the cake with strawberry or raspberry jam for a surprise twist, or cut rounds to create individual “mini cakes” at your next party. For an elegant gathering, assemble your Vanilla Dream Cake as a naked cake with whipped cream and edible flowers—it will look as dreamy as it tastes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover Vanilla Dream Cake slices tightly in plastic wrap or transfer them to an airtight container. Stored at room temperature, they’ll stay moist for up to two days, or up to five days in the fridge (just bring to room temp before enjoying for the best flavor and texture).

Freezing

To make life easier for future celebrations, you can freeze the unfrosted cake layers. Once completely cooled, wrap each layer in plastic wrap and a layer of foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Your Vanilla Dream Cake will keep for up to two months—just thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to decorate.

Reheating

If you want to gently warm slices before serving, place them in the microwave for just a few seconds. Cover with a damp paper towel to keep them from drying out, and you’ll have Vanilla Dream Cake that tastes fresh-baked all over again.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat milk or substitute sour cream?

Whole milk brings richness, but you can swap for 2% milk if needed. For the sour cream, full-fat Greek yogurt is a good stand-in—it’ll still keep your Vanilla Dream Cake super moist.

Do I have to use two cake pans?

While two 9-inch pans give that classic layered look, you can bake this batter as a sheet cake or in cupcakes—just adjust baking times and check often for doneness.

Can I double this recipe for a party?

Absolutely! Double everything and bake the cakes in batches or divide batter among larger pans. Just keep an eye on the baking time; bigger cakes may need a little extra in the oven.

What kind of frosting goes best with Vanilla Dream Cake?

A rich vanilla buttercream is classic, but this cake shines with whipped cream, chocolate ganache, or cream cheese frosting as well. Each choice gives a slightly different flair!

How do I get flat, even cake layers?

Make sure your batter is spread evenly in the pans, and if possible, use bake-even strips or level off the domed tops with a serrated knife after cooling. Your Vanilla Dream Cake will look bakery-perfect.

Final Thoughts

Trust me, once you bake this Vanilla Dream Cake, you’ll have a new go-to favorite for birthdays, milestones—or simply as a treat for you and your loved ones. Its soft crumb, warm vanilla flavor, and the joy of baking something from scratch are truly unmatched. Give it a place of honor on your dessert table and watch it vanish slice by slice!

Vanilla Dream Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the heavenly sweetness of this Vanilla Dream Cake, a classic dessert that promises a dreamy, fluffy texture and rich vanilla flavor in every bite. Perfect for birthdays or any special occasion!

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs (room temperature)
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk (room temperature)
½ cup sour cream (room temperature)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
Mix dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Mix milk and sour cream in a bowl. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk mixture to butter mixture.
Bake: Divide batter into pans, bake for 30–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool and frost: Let cakes cool in pans, then frost after completely cooling.