Today I’m so excited to be sharing the very best white cake recipe! This recipe yields a fluffy, snow-white cake that’s light and soft but still sturdy enough to stack or cover with fondant. Read on for plenty of tips for making the perfect white cake, completely from scratch!
We’ve covered chocolate cake, vanilla cake (one of my most popular recipes, thanks to you guys!), and even pineapple upside-down cake, but up until today we’ve been missing a critical flavor: a classic, delicious, white cake!
This is a classic cake flavor and a personal favorite of mine, so when I say up in the intro that I’m excited to share this recipe with you, I really, really mean it. This cake is delicious, and honestly so easy to make… even if you’ve never beaten egg whites before I’m going to walk you through that below so you too can enjoy a perfect, from-scratch white cake.
In case this white cake recipe seems familiar to you, I should probably mention that it is essentially my Funfetti cake recipe, only scaled down to be just two layers (so if you want a 3 layer white cake recipe, just head over to my Funfetti recipe and leave out the sprinkles!).
Let’s dig in to what makes this cake so incredible.
As I mentioned, this cake is fairly simple, but there is an important technique that I want to discuss regarding the egg whites. To keep this cake pure white, we’re not using any egg yolks and instead we are going to beat our egg whites to stiff peaks (if you’ve made my meringue cookies, you’ve beaten egg whites to stiff peaks before). Let me explain how:
How to Beat Eggs Whites to Stiff Peaks for White Cake
- Place your egg whites in a completely clean and grease free bowl. It’s best to separate your whites and yolks in a separate bowl first, that way if a small bit of yolk escapes you don’t have to start over. Even the smallest bit of grease or yolk can ruin your egg whites and keep them from reaching stiff peaks.
- Reaching stiff peaks will take several minutes, just keep beating and you will see them start to take shape!
- Stiff peaks are formed when the whites have increased in volume (see visual below) and, if you pull a beater straight out of the mixture, a peak forms that does not recede back into itself — its holds its shape. Once you reach this point, stop beating, as it is totally possible to over-beat your egg whites.
Fold your egg whites gently into the rest of your white cake batter. I always recommend doing this part by hand. Make sure that you stir enough so that the egg whites are well-incorporated into the batter, but use a light hand so that you don’t deflate the egg whites, or you’ll end up with a dense cake.
While the cake is baking, don’t be alarmed if it seems that the surface is turning too dark. The outside of the cake will actually bake up to a golden brown in the oven, but don’t worry, the cake will be pure white inside once you go to actually slice into it.
What Kind of Extract Should I Use for My White Cake?
I use clear vanilla. Regular (caramel-colored) vanilla extract will work just fine and your cake will still come out mostly white (check out my above-mentioned Funfetti cake, that one was made with standard vanilla extract), but for this white cake recipe I opted for clear extract for a cake with a pure white interior.
Many white cake reicpes also call for almond extract. None of my family members are huge fans of almond extract, so I leave it out, but if you like the taste you can substitute some of the vanilla extract for almond… since almond extract is quite potent I wouldn’t personally recommend using more than 1 ½-2 teaspoons for this recipe, but feel free to experiment!
Can I use 9″ Cake Pans Instead of 8″
Yes! The baking time will be reduced, though. Start checking your cake at 30 minutes.
Can I Make This Recipe Into Cupcakes?
Yes! Fill each cupcake liner about ¾ full (don’t over-fill) and bake on 350F for about 18 minutes (for mini cupcakes, bake for 14-15 minutes). This recipe will yield approximately 30 standard sized cupcakes.
Enjoy!
How to Make White Cake
The Best White Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) avocado oil, canola oil or vegetable oil
- 2 cup (400 g) sugar
- 1 Tablespoon clear vanilla extract
- 2 ⅔ cup (345 g) + 2 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (235 ml) milk room temperature preferred
- 6 large egg whites room temperature
- Double batch Vanilla Buttercream Frosting (click link for recipe)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and prepare two 8-inch round cake pans by lining the bottoms with a round of parchment paper and generously greasing and flouring the sides. Be sure to shake out excess flour.
- In a stand mixer (or using an electric mixer), beat butter on medium-low speed until creamy.6 Tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- Add sugar and oil and beat until all ingredients are well-combined and creamy.⅔ cup (160 ml) avocado oil, canola oil or vegetable oil, 2 cup (400 g) sugar
- Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and then stir in your vanilla extract.1 Tablespoon clear vanilla extract
- In separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt.2 ⅔ cup (345 g) + 2 Tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1 Tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt
- Measure out your milk.1 cup (235 ml) milk
- With mixer on medium speed, gradually alternate between adding the flour mixture and the milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Stir until each one is almost completely combined before adding the next.
- Pause occasionally to scrape down sides and bottom of bowl.
- In separate bowl combine your egg whites and using a hand-mixer on high-speed beat until stiff peaks form.6 large egg whites
- Using a spatula, gently fold your egg whites into your batter. Take care to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so that ingredients are well-combined, and take care not to over-mix.
- Evenly divide cake batter into prepared pans.
- Bake on 350F for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake layer comes out clean or with few crumbs (should not be wet). For best results, rotate your cake pans halfway through baking to ensure even baking.
- Cakes will be a light golden brown when done baking.
- Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the inside rim of each pan and invert each onto a cooling rack.
- Allow to cool completely before covering with buttercream frosting*. I used a double batch of my recipe (linked above) to thoroughly cover and decorate this cake.Double batch Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Diana
Hi Sam, I don’t see in the instructions at what point you add the butter and sugar mix into the batter?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Diana! You start out with butter in the stand mixer in step two. Then, in step three you add the sugar and oil. These ingredients remain in the stand mixer bowl and other ingredients are added to them. 🙂
Diana
I figured after I reread the instructions….thanks for your reply. I did make, I added lemon extract, so good. The cake itself was very moist and fluffy. I will definitely be making this again!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad you enjoyed it, Diana!
Clara
Can this be done without the parchment paper?
Sam
It can, you just need to make sure to grease and flour the pan really well so the cake doesn’t stick. 🙂
Lex
Hi! Trying to make these but cook them for cupcakes. How long bake tile for cupcakes?
Sam
Hi Lex! They would need to bake for about 18 minutes. 🙂
Desiree
Lots of questions from me today 🙂 I saw this recipe will work in a 9×13 sheet, will the double batch of frosting give good coverage?
Sam
You should get good coverage with the frosting as listed in the recipe. 🙂
Janice
This is by far the BEST white cake going on! Everyone in my family loved it. I really enjoyed making it, the instructions were perfect. This will be my go to recipe and all the other fabulous recipes I will use to impress everyone!
Sam
I am so happy to hear this! Thank you so much for commenting, Janice, I really appreciate it! 🙂
Kyle
Awesome recipe. One note:
The buttering and flouring of the sides of the parchment is unnecessary. The paper pulls away fine without it.
Sam
Glad you enjoyed the white cake, Kyle! You only need to butter and flour the sides of the pan, not the parchment 😉
Holly
What I substitute for the canola/veggie oil?
Sam
Hi Holly! I would recommend a neutral oil here. 🙂
Holly
Thank you! 😁
Remi
Can I use the egg whites from a carton in this recipe?
Sam
Hi Remi! I have not tried it myself. I have had others report that they have successfully used egg whites from the carton. They can be very tough to whip to stiff peaks though.
Remi
I decided not to risk it and just bought a lot more eggs at the super market today! I’m making the cake for my dad’s 75th birthday and I want it to be PERFECT 🙂 THANK YOU!
Sam
I would say that’s the best choice. Enjoy! 🙂
Ashley Shea
Hi. A lesson I learned, is to make sure you use actual egg whites. Most egg whites you buy in the carton, arent actually “egg whites”. Those wont work in baking. Read the ingredients before buying!
I’m making cake tonight as I recreate Olive Gardens Lemon Cream cake.
Sugar Spun Run
Sounds delicious, Ashley! Let me know how it turns out! 🙂
Heidi Bissett
Can I use cake flour rather than all purpose flour?
Sam
Hi Heidi! I know others have with success. 🙂
PATTI
I used your recipe last night to make cupcakes. Key lime pie flavored. They were soft but dry in my mouth. I substituted ¼ cup of the milk with a mixture of Malibu rum and fresh squeezed key limes. I have done this with my white wedding cake recipe and no issues. The difference is I use sour cream in the wedding cake recipe. Also they did not rise very well. Any tips?
Sam
Hi Patti! You are cutting fat from the recipe by leaving out the milk, which would lead them to being dry. I can’t give a good substitution recommendation without playing with the recipe.
Drew Willis
Where did you find clear vanilla extract?
Sam
Hi Drew! I actually find it at walmart. 🙂
Drew Willis
So it was imitation flavor then? I didn’t find clear, pure vanilla extract there, I had to order a Mexican brand online. I made cupcakes and they were delicious!
Sam
Oh, sorry for not clarifying, if it is clear it is imitation. I don’t think it’s possible to get clear pure vanilla extract, unfortunately. The white cake still comes out quite white even if you use pure vanilla extract, though! I am glad you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
Kate
What if I wanted to do a 9×13 rectangular pan? Thank you! I want to make this with a lemon cream cheese frosting for my daughters birthday.
Sam
Hi Kate! It will fit in a 9 x 13 pan. The bake time will be different though. 🙂
Elena
Hi! Can I use 6″ pans? I want 3 6″ layers.
Sam
Hi Elena! You can use 6 inch pans, but I am not sure what the baking time would be for them. 🙂
Diane Maggipinto
I’ve got them in 8″ rounds in the oven right now for MY birthday cake!! and the batter is pouring over the edge 🙁
I suppose 9″ might be better? Or 3 x 8″?
Sam
Yikes! How deep is your cake pan? This recipe should be fine in two 8″ pans, I make it in 8″ all the times.
Nina
Would I have to double by 1/2 the recipe if I want to make a single layer 10inch round pan? Or just leave it as is ?
Sam
Hi Nina! You would need about 3/4 of the recipe for a single layer 10 inch round pan. It would probably be best to make the recipe as described and then discard the excess. 🙂