Hand-Whisked Vanilla Sheet Cake with Melted Butter and Cornstarch
A moist and fluffy vanilla sheet 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 290 calories and feeds 12, 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
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup whole milk
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until well combined.
- Step 2: Pour in 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, whisking until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Step 3: Add 3 large eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Gradually add 3/4 cup whole milk, whisking just until the batter is smooth and homogenous.
- Step 5: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake springs back when lightly pressed.
- Step 6: Remove from oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing and serving.









