Perfect Vanilla Sheet Cake – Deliciously moist and fluffy vanilla cake recipe baked in a rectangle pan, and topped with scrumptiously creamy vanilla buttercream frosting!
Perfect Vanilla Sheet Cake
Don’t you just love sheet cakes? All the tastiness of a layer cake, but without the effort of layering a cake.
Sheet cakes are cakes that are baked in rectangle pans, and are simply frosted.
No need to frost and layer a cake here!
So, today I bring you my Perfect Vanilla Sheet Cake. Yes, I said perfect. 🙂 The sponge is so deliciously moist, yet so fluffy and tender.
I love to use buttermilk in my cakes, because the moistness it brings to the crumb just cannot be beat.
How to make Perfect Vanilla Sheet Cake:
For the cake, you’ll need:
- cake flour (see recipe notes to make your own!)
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- eggs
- caster/granulated sugar
- vanilla extract
- vegetable oil
- buttermilk
For the frosting:
- icing/powdered sugar
- unsalted butter
- milk
- vanilla extract
To make this sheet cake, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Whisk together the eggs. Add the sugar, and whisk until combined. Add the vanilla extract and vegetable oil, and whisk until combined.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk.
Pour the batter into a greased 13×9-inch pan, and spread out evenly. Bake for 30 – 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
For the frosting, beat together the butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the milk and vanilla extract until smooth, and spreadable.
Spread the frosting over the top of the cooled cake, then slice and serve.
The printable recipe card with the FULL list of ingredients and instructions can be found at the bottom of this post.
NOTE: For best results, I highly recommend using the gram measurements (with a digital scale), rather than the cup measurements.
Cup measurements are simply not accurate enough, and I cannot guarantee the best results if you use them.
This Perfect Vanilla Sheet Cake is:
- deliciously moist and fluffy
- quick and easy to make and decorate
- can easily be sliced to fill with more frosting!
- perfect for ANY party or special occasion
How long will this sheet cake last? This cake can be stored, covered, in the fridge for up to 2 – 3 days.
Can I freeze this cake? This cake also freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and hashtag it #simplybakeblog. I’d love to see!
More cakes to try next!
- Mocha Layer Cake
- Lemon Raspberry Bundt Cake
- Mint Chocolate Chip Layer Cake
- Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake
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Perfect Vanilla Sheet Cake
Deliciously moist and fluffy vanilla cake recipe baked in a rectangle pan, and topped with scrumptiously creamy vanilla buttercream frosting!
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 3 cups (300g) cake flour*
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 cups (300g) caster/granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (180ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk**
For the Frosting
- 4 cups (500g) icing/powdered sugar
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 - 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Cake
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Grease a 13x9-inch pan, and set aside.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Whisk together the eggs. Add the sugar, and whisk until combined. Add the vanilla extract and vegetable oil, and whisk until combined. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and spread out evenly. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
For the Frosting
- Using a handheld or stand mixer, beat together the butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the milk and vanilla extract until smooth, and spreadable. Spread the frosting over the top of the cooled cake, then slice and serve.
Notes
*Don't have cake flour? Measure out 3 cups (375g) of plain/all-purpose flour, remove 6 tablespoons, and replace with 6 tablespoons of cornflour/cornstarch. Sift well.
**To make your own buttermilk, simply measure out 1 cup (240ml) of milk, and stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let stand for 5 - 10 minutes until the mixture starts to curdle, then it's ready to use!
Leftovers can be stored, covered, in the fridge for up to 2 - 3 days.
After the cake has cooled completely, it can be wrapped in clingfilm and refrigerated/frozen overnight, ready to be frosted the next day. The frosting can also be refrigerated overnight.
Frosted or unfrosted cake freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16 slicesServing Size:
1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 531Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 226mgCarbohydrates: 77gFiber: 0gSugar: 57gProtein: 4g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
Izabela
Monday 8th of April 2024
Can this recipe be used to make an ice cream cake?
Marsha
Tuesday 9th of April 2024
Yes, it is thick another to halve and fill :)
Fran
Wednesday 29th of November 2023
My cake turned out really dark inside and I definitely did not over bake it, I kept a really close eye on it. It feels very light and moist but is a caramel colour inside. Any idea why?
anna
Friday 1st of September 2023
Hi im wondering what i can use instead of vegetable oil?
Laurie
Friday 28th of October 2022
Cake looks delicious and is the height I’m looking for… my question: do you think it’s sturdy enough to carve/cut out shapes to make into a character cake? I’m making a Bluey cake for my daughter’s 4th birthday and looking for a good sturdy deep vanilla cake recipe to use. Thanks!
Marsha
Saturday 29th of October 2022
Hi Laurie! Yes, this cake is very sturdy :)
Charis Miani
Wednesday 22nd of September 2021
Hello,
Have you tried making this in a large 12x18 sheet pan? I need to make a cake for a large crowd. Would you double this recipe? Thank you!
Marsha
Wednesday 22nd of September 2021
Yes, I would double the recipe. Enjoy!