If you’re looking for a cake that’s both simple and impressive, look no further than this Vanilla Cake with Filling Recipe.
As a food blogger and lover of all things sweet, I’ve tried countless vanilla cakes, but this one truly stands out. It’s light, moist, and full of flavor.
The best part? You can customize the filling to suit your tastes. Whether you prefer whipped cream, fruit preserves, or something more indulgent like chocolate ganache, the possibilities are endless.
I love how this Vanilla Cake with Filling Recipe can be both casual and fancy depending on the occasion.
Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will quickly become one of your go-to desserts for every celebration or family gathering.!
How To Prepare Vanilla Cake With Filling Recipe?
Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Resting Time (if needed): 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Calories: 320 kcal
Cuisine: American (Classic)
Serves: 8-10 people
Equipment Needed:
- 2 x 8-inch round cake pans (or any size you prefer)
- Electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer)
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Cooling rack
- Spatula
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Cake:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (420g), sifted
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar (350g)
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter (300g), softened
- 1 ¼ cups whole milk (300ml), room temperature
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
For the Filling (choose one):
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream (for whipped cream)
- 1 ¼ cups fruit preserves (e.g., strawberry or raspberry)
- 1 ¼ cups pastry cream
- 1 ¼ cups chocolate ganache
For the Frosting:
- 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter (280g), softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar (600g)
- 3 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Vanilla Cake With Filling Recipe
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. Prepare the Cake:
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
3. Bake the Cake:
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Make the Filling:
- For whipped cream filling: Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- For fruit preserves: Simply spread the jam or fruit preserve of choice.
- For pastry cream: Use prepared or homemade pastry cream.
- For chocolate ganache: Heat 1 cup cream until simmering, then pour over 1 cup chopped chocolate, stirring until smooth.
5. Make the Frosting:
- Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing until smooth.
- Add vanilla extract, salt, and heavy cream, adjusting for desired consistency.
6. Assemble the Cake:
- Once the cakes are cooled, slice each in half horizontally to create 4 layers.
- Spread the filling of choice between layers.
- Frost the top and sides of the cake with the buttercream frosting.
7. Serve and Enjoy!
- Slice and enjoy your delicious homemade vanilla cake!
Delicious Variations You Can Try It
1. Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Filling: Swap the vanilla cake for a rich, moist chocolate cake. The combination of chocolate and fresh strawberry filling creates a decadent contrast that’s perfect for chocolate lovers.
2. Lemon Cake with Raspberry Filling: For a zesty twist, try lemon cake paired with a tangy raspberry filling. The bright citrus flavor in the cake complements the tartness of the raspberries, creating a refreshing, light dessert.
3. Almond Cake with Peach Filling: Add a nutty touch to your cake by using almond flour or almond extract in the cake batter. Pair it with a sweet peach filling for a summery, elegant flavor combination.
4. Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Filling: For a spiced version, use carrot cake as the base and pair it with a smooth cream cheese filling. The richness of the cream cheese complements the warm spices in the carrot cake.
5. Coconut Cake with Pineapple Filling: Infuse your vanilla cake with coconut extract or shredded coconut for a tropical flavor. Pair it with a sweet pineapple filling to transport your taste buds to an island paradise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make this vanilla cake ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the cake layers a day or two in advance. Once cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container. You can also freeze the cake layers for up to 3 months.
Can I use a different filling than the one in the recipe?
Absolutely! You can customize the filling to your liking. Try whipped cream, fruit preserves, chocolate ganache, or even a custard filling for a different flavor profile.
How do I keep my cake layers from sinking or becoming dense?
Make sure not to overmix your batter, as this can cause the cake to become dense. Also, measure your ingredients accurately and avoid opening the oven door too frequently while baking.
What’s the best way to frost the cake smoothly?
Use a crumb coat—a thin layer of frosting—to seal in any loose crumbs before applying the final layer of frosting. Chill the cake for about 20 minutes after the crumb coat to make frosting easier.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes! You can swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or another binder to help maintain the cake’s texture.
Conclusion
This homemade vanilla filling cake recipe is the epitome of a classic dessert. It’s simple to make, yet incredibly satisfying and versatile.
The addition of a filling—whether rich and creamy, fruity, or decadent—adds layers of flavor and texture, making it an ideal choice for special occasions or a casual family dessert.
The Vanilla Cake with Filling Recipe itself is light, moist, and fluffy, with a balanced sweetness that doesn’t overpower the filling.
The recipe is customizable to your tastes, allowing you to swap fillings and frostings depending on your mood or the season.
With the right balance of lightness and richness, this vanilla cake can hold its own at the center of any celebration or be enjoyed quietly at home with a cup of tea. Happy baking!
More Delicious Vanilla Cake Recipes For You
Vanilla Cake With Raspberry Filling Recipe – Fluffy And Delicious
Vanilla Cake In A Mug Recipe No Egg – Very Easy Delight
Vanilla And Strawberry Cake Recipe – Most Delicious
Strawberry Vanilla Marble Cake – Quick And Easy
Vanilla And Cherry Cake – Sweet Cherry Topping
Vanilla Cake With Filling Recipe
Equipment
- 2 x 8-inch round cake pans (or any size you prefer)
- Electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer)
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Cooling rack
- Spatula
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Cake:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour 420g, sifted
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar 350g
- 5 large eggs room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter 300g, softened
- 1 ¼ cups whole milk 300ml, room temperature
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
For the Filling (choose one):
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream for whipped cream
- 1 ¼ cups fruit preserves e.g., strawberry or raspberry
- 1 ¼ cups pastry cream
- 1 ¼ cups chocolate ganache
For the Frosting:
- 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter 280g, softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar 600g
- 3 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
Prepare the Cake:
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Bake the Cake:
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Filling:
- For whipped cream filling: Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- For fruit preserves: Simply spread the jam or fruit preserve of choice.
- For pastry cream: Use prepared or homemade pastry cream.
- For chocolate ganache: Heat 1 cup cream until simmering, then pour over 1 cup chopped chocolate, stirring until smooth.
Make the Frosting:
- Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing until smooth.
- Add vanilla extract, salt, and heavy cream, adjusting for desired consistency.
Assemble the Cake:
- Once the cakes are cooled, slice each in half horizontally to create 4 layers.
- Spread the filling of choice between layers.
- Frost the top and sides of the cake with the buttercream frosting.
Serve and Enjoy!
- Slice and enjoy your delicious homemade vanilla cake!