One-Bowl Moist Vanilla Sheet Cake with Melted Butter
A fluffy and tender vanilla sheet cake made in one bowl with melted butter and a touch of cornstarch for a soft crumb. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 45 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 280 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
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch sheet pan with butter or nonstick spray.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp cornstarch until well combined.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 cup whole milk, 3 large eggs, and 2 tsp vanilla extract. Using a hand mixer or whisk, beat the batter on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth and slightly fluffy.
- Step 4: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared sheet pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Step 5: Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges begin to pull away from the pan.
- Step 6: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack 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 Melted Butter take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 Melted Butter?
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 Melted Butter?
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 Melted Butter 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 Melted Butter?
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.
