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Perfect Party Cake

Featured in Let's Bake Something Wonderful.

Mix up a soft and moist vanilla cake in one bowl. Stack with smooth buttercream frosting for an ideal celebration dessert.

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Hannah Author
Updated on Sun, 23 Mar 2025 17:13:36 GMT
A plate holds a slice of fluffy vanilla cake with smooth white frosting and bright sprinkles on top. Pin it
A plate holds a slice of fluffy vanilla cake with smooth white frosting and bright sprinkles on top. | recipesbyhannah.com

This butter cake has become my go-to for all celebrations. The combo of butter and vanilla gives you such a soft, tender bite that doesn't dry out. After tons of baking over the years, I'm thrilled how this cake stands up to decorating while still tasting incredibly delicious.

Total Bliss

I created this to be hassle-free with just one bowl because nobody wants more dishes to wash. When you mix real butter with tangy buttermilk, you get the most amazing texture. Everyone in my family asks for this cake whenever there's a birthday or something worth celebrating.

From My Kitchen

  • Farm fresh eggs brought to room temperature
  • Pure vanilla extract nothing artificial
  • Fresh baking powder make sure it's not expired
  • Pure cane sugar
  • Fresh buttermilk homemade works too
  • Sweet cream butter softened on the counter
  • Unbleached flour put through the sifter twice

Let's Bake

Into the Oven
Pour into greased pans bake at 350°F till golden test with toothpick let cool all the way
Time to Create
Even out layers using a bread knife chill before putting together add frosting as you like
The Base
Beat butter sugar till light and airy add eggs one by one mix in vanilla
Building Layers
Combine dry stuff switch between adding buttermilk just blend till smooth

My Baking Secrets

Get everything to room temp for the best batter. Rotate your pans halfway during baking. Try cake strips for even layers or just trim the tops flat. Measuring things right really matters in this recipe.

A slice of three-layer vanilla cake with creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles on top, served on a white plate. Pin it
A slice of three-layer vanilla cake with creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles on top, served on a white plate. | recipesbyhannah.com

Plan Ahead

You can make layers early and freeze them up to three months if wrapped well. Your frosting stays good a month in the fridge or three months if frozen. After you've decorated everything, the cake will keep about a week when refrigerated.

Make it Special

Try adding some fun colors to your batter or play with different flavors like almond or lemon. Put your favorite fillings between layers and frost it however you want. This cake can turn into whatever you imagine perfect for any big day.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep this in advance?

Absolutely! Freeze cake layers, prep buttercream ahead, and store the frosted cake in the fridge for a week.

→ Why use ingredients at room temp?

This helps them blend easily and makes the texture light and even.

→ Can I bake cupcakes instead?

Sure! Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full and bake at 350°F for 19-21 minutes.

→ What’s the serving size?

The 3-layer cake serves roughly 24 with 8-inch pans.

→ Why chill cake before stacking?

Cold layers are simpler to handle and frost without breaking apart.

Perfect Party Cake

Soft vanilla cake made in one bowl, stacked into three layers with creamy and rich buttercream frosting.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
33 Minutes
Total Time
48 Minutes

Category: Sweet Kitchen

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 3 cups sugar, granulated (600g).
02 360g buttermilk, room temperature (1 1/2 cups).
03 240g egg whites, about 7 eggs (1 cup).
04 3g fine salt (1/2 tsp).
05 226g butter, unsalted, softened (1 cup).
06 30g vegetable oil (2 tbsp).
07 8g vanilla extract (2 tsp).
08 375g all-purpose flour (3 cups).
09 10g baking powder (2 1/2 tsp).
10 Optional: food coloring gel.
11 12g vanilla extract or paste (1 tbsp).
12 875g powdered sugar (7 cups).
13 452g butter, unsalted, softened (2 cups).
14 60g heavy cream (1/4 cup).
15 6g fine salt (1 tsp).

Instructions

Step 01

Set the oven to 350°F and line three 8-inch pans.

Step 02

Put your dry ingredients into a stand mixer and blend.

Step 03

Add the butter and mix until it looks crumbly.

Step 04

Slowly pour in egg whites and buttermilk while mixing.

Step 05

Add in oil and vanilla extract, give it a good stir.

Step 06

Run the mixer at medium speed for a minute.

Step 07

Pour batter evenly across the pans.

Step 08

Bake for 33 to 35 minutes, until done.

Step 09

Let cool 10 minutes, then freeze for 30 minutes.

Step 10

Whip the butter until fluffy.

Step 11

Mix in vanilla and salt.

Step 12

Add powdered sugar little by little with heavy cream.

Step 13

Keep mixing until smooth and creamy.

Step 14

Slice off any uneven tops from the cake layers.

Step 15

Stack cake layers, spreading buttercream between each.

Step 16

Apply a light base coat of frosting and chill the cake.

Step 17

Frost the cake completely and make it look amazing!

Notes

  1. Keep all ingredients at room temperature.
  2. You can make parts of this ahead of time.
  3. Freezing the cakes makes assembly easier.
  4. Good for about 24 people.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixer, stand style.
  • 8-inch round baking pans.
  • Angle spatula for frosting.
  • Straight scraper tool.
  • Cake base board.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains eggs.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Includes gluten/wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 524
  • Total Fat: 26 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 70 g
  • Protein: 5 g