Make a Old Fashioned Vanilla Birthday Cake Recipe from Scratch

There’s something timeless and comforting about a vanilla birthday cake recipe. It doesn’t need trendy fillings or bold flavors to impress. Just buttery layers of golden cake, a hint of sweet vanilla, and a cloud of whipped buttercream on top. It’s simple, elegant, and always the first thing gone at a party.

In our home, this vanilla birthday cake has made an appearance at nearly every celebration. I keep the ingredients on hand all year long because it’s so easy to whip up from scratch. No boxed mix needed, just real butter, sugar, eggs, flour, milk, and a splash of vanilla extract.

If you’ve been searching for a tried-and-true vanilla birthday cake recipe that delivers a tender crumb, rich flavor, and creamy frosting every time, this is the one.

Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Birthday Cake Recipe

• Old-fashioned flavor: This cake is rich and buttery with just the right amount of sweetness.
• Moist and fluffy texture: Thanks to a combination of creamed butter, milk, and eggs.
• Perfect for decorating: A smooth, sturdy crumb means it holds up to buttercream, sprinkles, fruit, or even fondant.
• Made from scratch: No artificial ingredients, just pantry staples.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make both the cake and the classic vanilla buttercream frosting.

For the Cake

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1¾ cups whole milk
• 3½ cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 3½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons heavy cream (more if needed for consistency)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the Cake:

1.Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans. Lining the bottoms with parchment paper also helps prevent sticking.

2. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. This step takes about 3–5 minutes using an electric mixer and helps create a light, tender cake.

3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture gradually, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture, mixing gently after each addition until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

6. Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan(s) and smooth the tops with a spatula.

7. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you’re using round cake pans, start checking at the 45–50 minute mark.

8. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing and frosting.

Make the Frosting:

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter until smooth and creamy.

2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low to prevent a sugar cloud. Once combined, increase the speed and beat for another minute.

3. Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency, thick, fluffy, and spreadable.

4. Frost the cooled cake, spreading the buttercream evenly over the top and sides. Decorate with sprinkles, fruit, candles, or leave it classic and simple.

Tips for the Best Vanilla Birthday Cake

• Use room temperature ingredients. Cold butter, eggs, or milk can cause the batter to curdle or bake unevenly.
• Sift your flour. This helps prevent a dense cake and gives it that bakery-style fluffiness.
• Don’t overmix. Mix just until the ingredients are combined for the most tender texture.
• Bake in the center of the oven. This ensures even heat distribution and prevents domed tops or overbaking.

How to Store the Cake

• Store unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Frosted cake can be stored at room temperature for 1–2 days or in the refrigerator for 4–5 days. Bring it to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Vanilla Birthday Cake Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1¾ cups whole milk
• 3½ cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 3½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons heavy cream (more if needed)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour your baking pans.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3–5 minutes).
3. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture in stages, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined.
6. Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
8. For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually. Mix in vanilla and cream until fluffy.
9. Spread frosting over cooled cake. Decorate as desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this recipe for cupcakes?

Yes! This recipe makes approximately 24–28 cupcakes. Bake at 350°F for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Can I substitute buttermilk for milk?

You can! Buttermilk adds a slightly tangy flavor and makes the crumb extra tender. If you use buttermilk, reduce the baking powder to 2½ teaspoons and add ½ teaspoon baking soda.

Can I freeze the cake layers?

Absolutely. Let the layers cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.

What’s the best frosting for this vanilla cake?

While this vanilla buttercream is a classic choice, cream cheese frosting, whipped cream, or even chocolate ganache are delicious options too!

Final Thoughts

There’s no need to overcomplicate birthday cakes when the basics are this good. This vanilla birthday cake recipe is simple enough for beginners, but delicious enough to impress every guest. Whether you’re frosting it with swirls of buttercream or letting little hands cover it in sprinkles, this cake will quickly become a family favorite.

If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment below so I can celebrate with you!