Quick Hand-Mixed Vanilla Sheet Cake with Melted Butter
A moist and fluffy vanilla sheet cake made effortlessly in one bowl, enriched with melted butter and oil for lasting moisture. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 50 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 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup boiling water
The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
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. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch sheet pan. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 2 large eggs, and 2 tsp vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix by hand with a wooden spoon or spatula until smooth and no lumps remain.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup boiling water gradually while stirring to thin the batter; it will be slightly runny but well combined.
- Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan and smooth the surface with a spatula.
- Step 5: Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top springs back lightly when touched.
- Step 6: Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting or serving.









