Hand-Mixed Vanilla Cake with Melted Butter
A moist and fluffy vanilla cake made in one bowl using melted butter and a touch of cornstarch for a tender crumb. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, cornstarch, 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 320 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
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup whole milk
The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, sift together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter and 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar to the dry ingredients, stirring gently to combine.
- Step 3: Crack in 3 large eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Gradually pour in 3/4 cup whole milk while mixing until the batter is smooth and slightly thick.
- Step 5: Pour batter into a greased and floured 9-inch round cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve plain or with your favorite frosting.








