Quick Hand-Mixed Vanilla Sheet Cake with Melted Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 12 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup boiling water gradually while stirring to thin the batter; it will be slightly runny but well combined.
  4. Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan and smooth the surface with a spatula.
  5. 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.
  6. Step 6: Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting or serving.