This Classic White Cake recipe pairs fluffy vanilla cake layers with a silky white Swiss meringue buttercream.
In my previous post, I shared some tips on how to make buttercream white. Today I’m sharing the perfect White Cake recipe to pair with that white buttercream.
I already have a Vanilla Cake recipe for you, which is perfectly pretty and delicious, but yellow-ish inside and out. There are certain occasions that call for a pure white cake and the yellow tint just won’t work.
White wedding cakes are probably most common, but a white cake base is also best if you’re looking to color the cake batter, because you won’t have to worry about the yellow tint affecting the colors.
Today, I’ve modified my Vanilla Cake recipe for you to make this classic White Cake.
How to Make a White Cake
There are a few key things you want to do to help ensure your cake is white inside and out:
- Use only egg whites
- Use the lightest color butter you can find and whip it well
- Use clear colored flavourings
- Use violet color gel to correct any yellow tint in the buttercream or cake
The main difference between a white cake and a vanilla cake is that a white cake uses egg whites rather than whole eggs, as the yolks tint the batter yellow. Using all egg whites tends to have a drying effect on the cake though (the yolks add more fat), so I’ve added some oil to the recipe to counteract that and to provide a bit more moisture.
You want to make sure to really whip your butter and sugar until it’s pale and fluffy, but avoid using a super yellow butter, as that can also affect the color of your cake.
Any flavourings you add (vanilla extract, almond extract, etc.) can tint the cake batter too. I used a clear vanilla extract here to make sure the color of the cake and frosting wasn’t affected.
How to Make Buttercream White
I have a detailed tutorial on how to make your buttercream white. There are a few tips in there that will help but I find the most effective to be adding some violet color gel.
I’ll admit that this trick works better with some frostings than others. I think it’s easier to get an American buttercream to be pure white than a Swiss meringue buttercream, but then I don’t have a ton of experience whitening either kind.
The violet gel trick totally worked here and neutralized a lot of the yellow, but not all of it. I maybe could have added more, but I was worried about the frosting turning grey or blue — experiment at your own risk! Be careful not to add too much.
I also added some Americolor Bright White color gel to bump up the white a bit.
I kept the decorating of this cake simple (I’m a less is more kinda girl). I don’t often use sprinkles on my cakes, but I have SO many different bottles of sprinkles in my pantry it’s not even funny. I just cannot resist the pretty colors! Especially when I can get them for a deal at Homesense.
Ironically, Ryan bought me the sprinkles I used on this cake for Christmas. None of the ones I had in the pantry would have worked as well or paired as well with this pretty cake stand (which is also coincidentally from Homesense). Actually, the props are too. Seriously, people, Homesense is where it’s at.
I used the All Dolled Up sprinkle mix from Sweetapolita, but took out all the large sprinkles and instead added some mini green pearls (GUESS where I got them??) to add more green color. I may have added a bit too many of the mini greens, but oh well!
This classic white cake is simple and delicious. The clear vanilla extract gives it a more candy-like birthday cake flavour, which I love. The cake is incredibly moist and tender, and the buttercream is a perfect silky pairing.
If you’re looking for more classic cake recipes be sure to check out my Chocolate Cake, Carrot Cake, Coconut Cake, and Vanilla Cake recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I convert this recipe?
- The recipe as-is will also work in three 6″ pans. For three 8″ pans, 1.5x the recipe. Baking time may need to be adjusted.
- To make cupcakes, all you need to do is reduce the baking time — start checking at 15mins or so. The recipe will make 18-24 cupcakes depending on size.
- For other conversions go here.
Can I make it in advance?
- The cooled cake layers can be baked ahead of time, double wrapped in plastic wrap, and frozen for up to 3 months. Take out 2-3 hours before assembly.
- The frosting can be placed in an airtight container and refrigerated for 1 week for frozen for 3 months. Bring to room temp and rewhip before using.
- The finished cake (whole or sliced, stored airtight) can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Tips for making this Classic White Cake Recipe
- I used a mixture of Sweetapolita’s All Dolled Up sprinkles and some mini green pearls.
- I used a 1M tip to pipe the frosting dollops on top.
- Be sure to check my Swiss Meringue Buttercream post for tips and troubleshooting.
- For easier buttercream options try my Simple Vanilla Buttercream, German Buttercream, or Ermine Frosting.
- Learn how to keep your cakes moist using Simple Syrup.
- To help ensure your cake layers bake up nice and flat, check out my How to Bake Flat Cakes post!
Classic White Cake
Ingredients
White Cake:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 5 large egg whites room temperature
- 1 1/2 tsp clear vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk room temperature
White Swiss Meringue Buttercream:
- 6 large egg whites
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 tsp clear vanilla extract
- violet color gel
- bright white color gel
Assembly:
- assorted sprinkles
Instructions
White Cake:
- Preheat oven to 325F. Grease and flour two 8″ cake rounds and line with parchment.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter until smooth and pale. Add sugar and oil and beat on med-high until pale and fluffy (approx 3mins). Reduce speed and add egg whites one at a time fully incorporating after each addition. Add clear vanilla.
- Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour (3 additions of flour and 2 of milk). Fully incorporating after each addition.
- Bake for approx. 35mins or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- Place cakes on wire rack to cool for 10mins then turn out onto wire rack.
White Buttercream:
- Place egg whites and sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk until combined.*
- Place bowl over a pot with 1-2″ of simmering water and whisk constantly until the mixture is hot and no longer grainy to the touch or reads 160F on a candy thermometer (approx. 3mins)
- Place bowl on your stand mixer and whisk on med-high until the meringue is stiff and cooled (the bowl is no longer warm to the touch (approx. 5-10mins)).
- Switch to paddle attachment. Slowly add cubed butter and mix until smooth.**
- Add clear vanilla and whip until smooth.
- Add violet color gel and/or bright white color gel as needed.
Assembly:
- Place one layer of cake on a cake stand or serving plate. Top with approximately 1 cup of buttercream. Repeat with remaining layer and crumb coat the cake. Chill for 20mins.
- Frost the top and sides of the cake and smooth with a bench scraper.
- Pipe rosette dollops using a 1M tip with remainder of frosting.
- Chill cake until frosting is firm. Gently press sprinkles gently along the bottom of the cake and sprinkle along the top.
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Notes
** The buttercream may look like it’s curdled at some point. Keep mixing until it is completely smooth. If it looks soupy, place it in the fridge for 20mins and rewhip.
Originally published on January 18, 2019
Amelia says
Hi! Can I use evaporated milk for this recipe?
Olivia says
Hi Amelia! For best results use regular milk or buttermilk.
Jessica says
Hey Liv!
I loved this recipe very much and thank you for sharing!
I did notice my cake was a wee bit dry? Any suggestions as to why that might have been?
Olivia says
Hi Jessica! So glad you loved it. Is it possible the cake was slightly overbaked? If so you can save it with some simple syrup 🙂 https://livforcake.com/simple-syrup-recipe/
Jessica says
Ah ha! You know, I knew that had to be the reason!
I have had great success with a handful of your recipes— which again, I am so thankful for!
I guess I really just need to listen to the natural instinct and believe the toothpick hah
I always get a little timid because the cake seems too “gooey”.. but as most of your recipes quote, “until the toothpick is almost clean.”
Thank you much!
I’m going to be trying again, so hopefully we have cracked the case!
Olivia says
I hope that was it. Please let me know how the next one turns out 🙂
Mary says
Hi liv,
Can i use this recipe in cupcakes form?
Olivia says
Hi Mary! Yes, I talk about this in the Tips section of the post.
Kate says
Hi Liv!
First off, your recipes are amazing!!! This one is such a winner. It is my go to recipe now, and I’ve had 5 people tell me it’s the best cake they’ve ever had. I have yet to try a recipe of yours that I don’t like 🤣
I’m curious about adding oreos to the recipe to make a ‘Cookies & Cream’ cake. I realize you have an Oreo cake recipe, but I love the white colour of this recipe and think that chunks of Oreo would really pop out in it! Do you think if I added some chunks of cookie the cake would be affected?
Olivia says
Hi Kate! Thanks so much <3 I think that would work just fine. I plan to make a cookies n cream recipe just like that in the future! Just be sure to fold them in gently at the end. Might be a good idea to toss the chunks in flour first too so they don't sink.
Maria Bougher says
I made your cake recipe this weekend and everybody loved it. I will have to try your frosting next time. I made thr Pillsbury butter cream recipe. I will definitely do this cake again!
Olivia says
Hi Maria! So happy you loved it 🙂
Siani says
Love this recipe but I want to make my daughter a layered cake with 12inx3in on the bottom and 10inx3in. The store also has them in 12×2 and 10×2. Which would be a better size and do I have to change the amount of ingredients?
Olivia says
Hi Siani! Converting pan sizes is always tricky. Here are some sites I use as a guideline:
http://www.joyofbaking.com/PanSizes.html
https://www.cookipedia.co.uk/recipes_wiki/Cake_tin_conversion_charts
Aliya says
hi there!! i have made this cake three times and just loved it, each time adding cardamom into the batter, lemon zest and extract into the frosting, and topping with toasted coconut!! it always comes out great but every time i make it i find i have to bake it for significantly longer than the time listed!! i make it exactly according to the recipe each time (once as cupcakes, once as two 8 inch cakes, and once as three 6 inch), and i know ovens can differ slightly depending on model/age/etc., but i’ve always had to add on an extra 15 minutes at least for them to cook fully! i was just curious if you had any idea why this could be ? thanks 🙂
Olivia says
Hi Aliya! I am so happy you love this recipe! Super strange about the extra-long baking time though. I would get an oven thermometer (they are inexpensive) and test yours. I suspect it runs quite a bit on the cooler side.
Sam says
Hi! I love all of your cake ideas. I’ve started using cake flour recently and I like what it does to the cakes. For your recipes, should I substitute cake flour 1:1 based on your all-purpose for weight or cup measurements? Thanks!
Olivia says
Hi Sam! Yes, for most recipes that should work fine 🙂