Hand-Mixed Vanilla Cake with Melted Butter and Cornstarch
A moist and fluffy vanilla cake made in one bowl with melted butter and cornstarch for tender crumb and rich flavor. 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
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick), melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 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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Equipment for this recipe
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 mixing bowl, sift together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until combined.
- Step 3: Beat in 2 large eggs and 2 tsp vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and glossy.
- Step 4: Gradually pour in 3/4 cup whole milk, stirring until the batter is smooth and no lumps remain.
- Step 5: Pour the batter into a greased 8-inch round cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.








