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Best Vanilla Cake Recipe

dessertAmerican
Author
https://www.cupcakeproject.com/#/schema/person/9e7a25edbe6501f8700845ecd0dad604
Yield
16 servings
Prep time
PT15M
Cook time
PT20M
Total time
PT29M
Ingredients
protein
  • 2 eggs (room temperature)
dairy
  • 2/3 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1/3 cup sour cream (full-fat)
grain
  • 1 3/4 cups cake flour (not self-rising)
pantry staple
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
other
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (use pure, not imitation)
  • 1/4 cup canola oil (you can also use vegetable oil)
  • 1 vanilla bean
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C).
  2. In a small bowl, combine sugar and seeds from the vanilla bean.
  3. Using the back of a spoon, move around the bowl and apply pressure to break up any clumps of seeds and to better infuse the vanilla flavor into the sugar. Set aside.
  4. In a medium-sized mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, mix together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Add the vanilla bean sugar and mix until well combined.
  6. Add butter and mix on medium-low speed for three minutes.
  7. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, sour cream, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  8. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined.
  9. Slowly add milk and mix on low speed until just combined. The batter will be liquid.
  10. Divide the batter evenly between two 8" round cake pans.
  11. Bake for 20 minutes (16 minutes if using a convection oven) and then test to see if they are done. They are done when a toothpick comes out without wet batter stuck to it.
  12. When the cakes are done, place them on a cooling rack to cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate before frosting.