One-Bowl Moist Vanilla Sheet Cake with Butter Glaze
A quick and fluffy vanilla sheet cake made in one bowl with a rich butter glaze, perfect for casual gatherings or celebrations. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, teaspoons baking powder, teaspoon salt 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 370 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 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (for glaze), melted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch sheet pan. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 2 cups granulated sugar, 3 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1 cup whole milk to the dry ingredients. Mix with a hand mixer on medium speed until smooth and combined, about 2-3 minutes.
- Step 3: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Step 4: For the glaze, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth and pourable.
- Step 5: Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled cake and let it set for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Bowl Moist Vanilla Sheet Cake with Butter Glaze 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 One-Bowl Moist Vanilla Sheet Cake with Butter Glaze?
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 One-Bowl Moist Vanilla Sheet Cake with Butter Glaze?
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 One-Bowl Moist Vanilla Sheet Cake with Butter Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 One-Bowl Moist Vanilla Sheet Cake with Butter Glaze?
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.
