12 Vanilla White Cake Recipes for Layers

Vanilla white cake has always held a special place in my heart, transporting me back to my childhood summers at my grandmother’s house. She’d bake towering layer cakes from scratch, the kitchen filled with the pure, comforting scent of vanilla that seemed to make every family gathering sweeter. Those fluffy, snow-white layers were the canvas for her endless creativity—festooned with fresh berries or chocolate ganache—and they taught me early on that simplicity can be the foundation of something extraordinary.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my own kitchen, perfecting recipes for layer cakes that stack beautifully without crumbling or drying out. With weddings, birthdays, and celebrations on the horizon, I’ve found that a great vanilla white cake is timeless yet endlessly versatile. In today’s world of bold flavors, these recipes remind us why classic white cake endures: it’s moist, neutral, and ready to shine under any frosting or filling.

Classic Vanilla White Cake Layers

This timeless recipe yields tender, fine-crumbed layers that are the perfect base for any stacked cake. Ingredients (for two 8-inch layers): 2 ½ cups cake flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, 1 cup unsalted butter (softened), 2 cups sugar, 4 egg whites, 1 ½ cups whole milk, 2 tsp vanilla extract.

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease pans. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then beat in egg whites and vanilla. Alternate adding dry ingredients (flour mixture) and milk. Divide batter and bake 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely. Benefits include superior moisture retention and a sturdy structure ideal for multi-layer cakes without sogginess.

Almond-Infused Vanilla White Cake

Elevate your layers with subtle nutty notes from almond extract. Ingredients (two 9-inch layers): 2 ¼ cups cake flour, 1 Tbsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt, ¾ cup butter, 1 ¾ cups sugar, 5 egg whites, 1 cup milk, 1 ½ tsp vanilla, ½ tsp almond extract.

Beat butter and sugar, add egg whites one at a time, then extracts. Sift dry ingredients and fold in alternately with milk. Bake at 350°F for 28-32 minutes. These layers offer a delicate flavor boost that pairs beautifully with fruit fillings, staying light and sliceable.

Coconut Dream Vanilla White Cake

Tropical vibes meet classic white cake for layers that hold up to heavy frostings. Ingredients (two 8-inch layers): 2 ⅓ cups cake flour, 2 ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, ½ cup coconut oil (melted), 1 ½ cups sugar, 4 egg whites, 1 ¼ cups coconut milk, 2 tsp vanilla, ½ cup shredded coconut.

Whip egg whites to soft peaks with sugar, fold in oil, vanilla, and coconut. Add dry ingredients and milk gradually. Bake at 325°F for 30-35 minutes. Benefits: Inherent moisture from coconut milk prevents drying, perfect for tropical layer cakes.

Lemon Zest Vanilla White Cake Layers

Bright citrus zest adds a subtle tang to these pristine white layers. Ingredients (two 9-inch layers): 2 ½ cups cake flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 4 egg whites, 1 ⅓ cups milk, 2 tsp vanilla, zest of 2 lemons.

Cream butter, sugar, and zest; beat in egg whites and vanilla. Alternate flour mixture and milk. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. These layers stay velvety and provide a refreshing contrast to berry or chocolate fillings.

Buttermilk Tender Vanilla Cake

Buttermilk ensures ultra-tender crumb in these foolproof layers. Ingredients (two 8-inch layers): 2 ¼ cups cake flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt, ¾ cup butter, 1 ½ cups sugar, 4 egg whites, 1 cup buttermilk, ¼ cup milk, 2 tsp vanilla.

Mix wet (butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla) then alternate dry and buttermilk mixture. Bake at 350°F for 28 minutes. Benefits: Tangy buttermilk reacts for lift and moisture, ideal for tall stacked cakes.

Sour Cream Moist Vanilla Layers

Rich sour cream makes these layers exceptionally moist and stable. Ingredients (two 9-inch layers): 2 ½ cups cake flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, ½ cup butter, ½ cup sour cream, 1 ¾ cups sugar, 4 egg whites, ¾ cup milk, 2 tsp vanilla.

Cream butter and sugar, add sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Fold in flour alternating with milk. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Perfect for heavy frostings without collapsing.

Meringue-Light Vanilla White Cake

Whipped egg whites create airy, stackable layers. Ingredients (two 8-inch layers): 1 ¾ cups cake flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt, ½ cup butter, 1 cup sugar (divided), 6 egg whites, 1 cup milk, 2 tsp vanilla.

Whip egg whites with half sugar to stiff peaks. Cream butter, remaining sugar, vanilla; fold in whites and dry/milk. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. Benefits: Ethereal texture for elegant multi-layers.

Oil-Based Fluffy Vanilla Cake

Oil keeps these layers soft and flexible for easy stacking. Ingredients (two 9-inch layers): 2 ½ cups cake flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, 1 cup vegetable oil, 2 cups sugar, 4 egg whites, 1 ¼ cups milk, 2 tsp vanilla.

Whisk oil, sugar, egg whites, vanilla; add dry and milk. Bake at 350°F for 28-32 minutes. Long-lasting moisture makes it party-ready.

Honey Kissed Vanilla White Layers

Natural honey adds golden depth without coloring the white batter. Ingredients (two 8-inch layers): 2 ¼ cups cake flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, ¾ cup butter, 1 ½ cups sugar, ¼ cup honey, 4 egg whites, 1 cup milk, 2 tsp vanilla.

Cream butter, sugar, honey; beat in eggs and vanilla. Alternate flour and milk. Bake at 350°F for 27 minutes. Subtle sweetness enhances fillings beautifully.

Cardamom Spiced Vanilla Cake

Exotic cardamom elevates these neutral layers subtly. Ingredients (two 9-inch layers): 2 ½ cups cake flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 4 egg whites, 1 ½ cups milk, 2 tsp vanilla, ½ tsp ground cardamom.

Incorporate cardamom into creamed butter-sugar, add eggs and vanilla, then dry/wet. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Adds warmth without overpowering frostings.

Vanilla Bean Speckled White Cake

Real vanilla bean specks give gourmet appeal to layers. Ingredients (two 8-inch layers): 2 ⅓ cups cake flour, 2 ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, ¾ cup butter, 1 ¾ cups sugar, 4 egg whites, 1 ¼ cups milk, seeds from 2 vanilla beans, 1 tsp vanilla extract.

Scrape beans into butter-sugar mix, proceed as classic. Bake at 350°F for 28 minutes. Premium flavor and visual specks wow in layers.

Yogurt Infused Light Vanilla Layers

Greek yogurt ensures low-fat yet fluffy layers. Ingredients (two 9-inch layers): 2 ¼ cups cake flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, ½ cup butter, 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 ½ cups sugar, 4 egg whites, ¾ cup milk, 2 tsp vanilla.

Blend yogurt into creamed base, fold in eggs and dry/milk. Bake at 350°F for 26 minutes. Healthier option with unbeatable tenderness.

Whether you’re building a wedding tower or a simple birthday stunner, these 12 vanilla white cake recipes offer endless possibilities for perfect layers. Grab your apron, experiment with your favorite fillings, and watch your cakes rise to the occasion—happy baking!