Hand-Mixed Vanilla Butter Cake
A fluffy, moist vanilla cake made with melted butter and vegetable oil, mixed entirely by hand for a tender crumb. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch round cake pan. In a large mixing bowl, sift together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp cornstarch.
- Step 2: Add 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar to the dry ingredients and whisk to combine evenly.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk 3 large eggs, then add 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup whole milk, and 2 tsp pure vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold gently with a spatula just until the batter is smooth and free of lumps, being careful not to overmix.
- Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake springs back when lightly pressed.
- Step 6: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hand-Mixed Vanilla Butter Cake take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Hand-Mixed Vanilla Butter Cake?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hand-Mixed Vanilla Butter Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Hand-Mixed Vanilla Butter Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Hand-Mixed Vanilla Butter Cake?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
