Our 13 Best Vanilla Cake and Cupcake Recipes (2024)

Classic Vanilla Cake

Forget glitzy sprinkles and elaborate icings. Simplicity is best when it comes to classic vanilla cake. Cover the nostalgic dessert in swirls of pure white frosting made with a special ingredient: sour cream.

Simple White Cupcakes with Creamy Frosting

Simply classic, these tender vanilla cupcakes are ready to be dressed up with a swirl of creamy frosting and your favorite toppers. Make the frosting with a combination of butter and cream cheese.

Cherry-Almond Vanilla Cupcakes

The mellow flavor of vanilla partners with rich almond extract and tart cherry juice in these dreamy pink desserts. Hide a maraschino cherry in the center of each cupcake for a sweet surprise.

Vanilla Sparkling Wine Pound Cake

Make tea time sweeter with a slice of this luscious vanilla pound cake. We add a splash of sparkling wine to its special homemade glaze to give the cake some crisp flavor.

Vanilla Ruffle Cake

When it comes to pretty vanilla cakes, ruffles never go out of style. Use a frosting-filled pastry bag to pipe adorable pink ruffles onto this plain Jane cake. Watch our step-by-step video for tips and tricks on how to decorate!

Vanilla Cake with Buttercream, Berries, and Jam

For an elegant dessert, place fresh berries and swirls of buttercream frosting between stacks of soft vanilla cake. Don't forget to drizzle on strawberry jam for extra fruity flavor.

Italian Cream Cake

Flaky coconut, crunchy pecans, and smooth spoonfuls of cream cheese frosting take this simple vanilla cake from bland to beautiful. The Italian-inspired cake makes a delicious addition to any party or special occasion.

Vanilla Bean-Coconut Cupcakes

Vanilla infuses these mouthwatering cupcakes with its inviting flavor and aroma. Toasted coconut adds a subtle touch of color and flavor as a garnish.

Japanese Christmas Cake

While this dessert is commonly made during the month of December, it's delicious vanilla cake recipe to try any time. Layers of tender sponge cake, vanilla cream, and strawberries make this a total showstopper. To complement the vanilla flavor, the baked cake layers are brushed with an orange liqueur mixture.

Million Dollar Pound Cake

Our readers have called this cake "yummy" and "a go-to recipe." We love the moist cake topped with whipped cream and berries. For even more vanilla flavor, soak your berries in a little vanilla bean paste and sugar before topping the pound cake.

French Yogurt Cake with Apricot-Cherry Compote

Here, vanilla yogurt is the secret to adding flavor and moisture to this simple cake. If you can't find French-style yogurt in the grocery store, Greek yogurt makes a great substitute. Once baked and cooled, top the finished cake with a homemade apricot-cherry compote and more vanilla yogurt.

Vanilla Bean Cake with Pecan Praline Glaze

Two full vanilla beans in the batter ensure this cake recipe is full of flavor. It's great on its own but a drizzle of pecan praline glaze takes it over the top. We recommend letting the praline set before slicing and serving.

Malted Vanilla Cake

Rather than vanilla extract, our Test Kitchen recommends using vanilla bean paste in this layer cake recipe. Make the homemade malted vanilla frosting with more vanilla, butter, evaporated milk, and malted milk powder.

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