The Perfect Fluffy White Cake Recipe Everyone Will Love

Sweet memories of childhood birthdays often revolve around a delightful white cake that melts in your mouth.

Soft, pillowy layers whisper promises of pure comfort and joy.

Bakers have long searched for the ultimate texture that combines lightness with rich, buttery depth.

Delicate crumbs and a velvety surface define this classic dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

Each slice tells a story of tender care and culinary precision.

Home kitchens come alive with the gentle aroma of vanilla and subtle sweetness.

The Perfect White Cake Feels Soft, Elegant, And Celebration-Ready

• Foolproof Baking: Super simple recipe that even beginner bakers can master with confidence, requiring basic kitchen skills and standard ingredients.
• Quick Celebration Cake: Perfect for birthdays, bridal showers, or spontaneous gatherings, delivering professional-looking results in under an hour of total preparation and baking time.
• Versatile Dessert Delight: Adaptable recipe that welcomes creative frosting and decoration options, allowing home bakers to personalize the cake for any special occasion or mood.
• Crowd-Pleasing Texture: Promises a light, moist, and tender crumb that appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal choice for family gatherings and potluck events.

Building The Perfect White Cake

• Cake Flour: Provides a tender, delicate texture with lower protein content compared to all-purpose flour.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, fluffy structure.
• Baking Soda: Assists in browning and provides additional leavening.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture, best used at room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a soft, tender crumb.
• Egg Whites: Contribute to the cake's light and airy texture without adding extra fat.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor and classic cake aroma, use pure vanilla for best results.

• Buttermilk, Sour Cream: Provide moisture, tanginess, and help tenderize the cake, creating a soft and smooth texture.

White Cake Perfect Baking Guide

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F.

Grab two 9-inch round cake pans and coat them with cooking spray or butter, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• Cake flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients together until they’re perfectly blended and lump-free.

Step 3: Cream Butter And Sugar

Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture becomes light, airy, and looks almost white.

This process should take about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Incorporate Egg Whites

Add egg whites one at a time to the butter mixture.

Beat thoroughly after each addition to ensure smooth integration.

Step 5: Add Flavor Booster

Pour in vanilla extract and mix until well combined.

Step 6: Build Cake Batter

Alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk to the creamed mixture.

Start with flour and end with flour, mixing gently after each addition.

Step 7: Fold In Sour Cream

Carefully fold sour cream into the batter, ensuring it’s evenly distributed without overmixing.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Divide batter equally between the two prepared pans.

Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 9: Cool And Decorate

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes.

Transfer to wire cooling racks and allow to cool completely.

Once cooled, frost and decorate as your heart desires.

Pro-Quality Results For White Cake Every Time

• Sifting cake flour before measuring ensures a lighter, more delicate cake texture by removing any lumps and aerating the flour.
• Bring butter, eggs, and buttermilk to room temperature for smoother mixing and better incorporation, resulting in a more even cake crumb.
• Gently fold ingredients until just combined to prevent tough, dense cake texture; overmixing develops gluten and can make the cake heavy.
• Use the toothpick test by inserting it into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean or with minimal crumbs, the cake is perfectly baked.
• If you don't have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes to create a similar tangy, tender-making effect.

Perfect White Cake Storage Plan

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality and taste.
• Remove cake from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
• If cake seems dry, brush with simple syrup or add a thin layer of frosting to restore moisture before serving.

Perfect Plates for White Cake

• Pair Delicate Dessert Wines: Select light, sweet wines like Moscato d'Asti or Sauternes that complement the cake's subtle vanilla flavor without overpowering its delicate texture.
• Enhance with Fresh Fruit Accompaniments: Serve alongside fresh strawberries, raspberries, or peaches to add bright, tangy notes that balance the cake's creamy sweetness and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Match with Creamy Beverage Companions: Enjoy with a smooth cappuccino or vanilla latte to highlight the cake's soft, tender crumb and create a luxurious dessert experience that elevates both the drink and the cake.
• Create Champagne Celebration Moment: Pop open a light, crisp champagne or prosecco to turn this white cake into an elegant celebration dessert, with bubbles cutting through the cake's richness and adding a festive touch.

Perfect White Cake Reinventions

• Gluten-Free White Cake: Replace cake flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring the cake remains light and tender.
• Vegan White Cake: Substitute egg whites with aquafaba, use vegan butter, and replace buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for a plant-based version.
• Lemon Zest White Cake: Add fresh lemon zest to the batter and replace vanilla extract with lemon extract for a bright, citrusy flavor profile.
• Almond White Cake: Incorporate almond extract alongside vanilla extract and sprinkle sliced almonds on top for a nutty, aromatic cake variation.

FAQs

• Why use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Cake flour has lower protein content, which creates a softer, more tender cake texture with a finer crumb. This helps ensure your white cake is light and delicate.

• Can I substitute buttermilk if I don't have it?

Yes, you can make a quick buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes. This creates the same tangy acidity needed in the recipe.

• What's the purpose of adding egg whites separately?

Adding egg whites one at a time helps incorporate air and creates a lighter, fluffier cake texture. It also ensures even mixing and prevents the batter from becoming lumpy.

• Why fold in sour cream at the end?

Sour cream adds moisture and richness to the cake while keeping it tender. Folding it in gently at the end preserves the air bubbles and prevents overmixing, which can make the cake dense.

The Perfect White Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delicate “Perfect White Cake” promises pure baking elegance with silky layers that melt in your mouth. Home bakers will discover a foolproof dessert that celebrates simple ingredients and classic technique, ensuring sweet success on every plate.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 0.25 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fat and Sugar:

• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1.75 cups granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking workspace by setting the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and preparing two 9-inch round cake pans with a light coating of grease and flour.
2. Create a dry ingredient blend by thoroughly whisking cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl until completely combined.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth, fluffy texture.
4. Incorporate egg whites individually into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure even distribution and a light consistency.
5. Infuse the batter with vanilla extract, stirring to distribute the aromatic flavor evenly throughout the mixture.
6. Develop the cake’s texture by alternating between adding the prepared flour mixture and buttermilk to the batter, ensuring you begin and conclude with the flour component.
7. Enhance the cake’s moisture and richness by gently folding sour cream into the batter, creating a smooth and uniform mixture.
8. Distribute the prepared batter equally between the two prepared cake pans, ensuring an even surface for consistent baking.
9. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean when the cakes are fully baked.
10. Allow the cakes to rest in their pans for 10 minutes to stabilize their structure, then carefully transfer to wire cooling racks to cool completely.
11. Once fully cooled, proceed with frosting and decorating the cake according to your preferred style and taste.

Notes

• Sift flour meticulously to eliminate lumps and ensure a smooth, silky cake texture with no unwanted clumps.
• Bring all ingredients to room temperature before mixing to help them blend seamlessly and create a more even cake consistency.
• Use fresh egg whites for maximum volume and a lighter, fluffier cake that rises beautifully and maintains a delicate crumb.
• Substitute buttermilk with Greek yogurt or dairy-free alternatives like almond milk mixed with vinegar for gluten-free or lactose-intolerant dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg