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!
Treat yourself to a FREE E-BOOK!
How to Make White Cake
The Best White Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened to room temperature (85g)
- ⅔ cup canola oil or vegetable oil (160ml)
- 2 cup sugar (400g)
- 1 Tablespoon clear vanilla extract
- 2 ⅔ cup + 2 Tablespoon all-purpose flour (345g)
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk room temperature preferred (235ml)
- 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.
- Add sugar and oil and beat until all ingredients are well-combined and creamy.
- Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and then stir in your vanilla extract.
- In separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Measure out your 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.
- 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.
Thelma
This cake recipe was delicious. Very moist. I made it in 9×13. I didn’t have to increase or decrease the amount of batter. It was the perfect amount. It took 35 minutes to cook so that the toothpick came out clean. Thanks for the great recipe!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you enjoyed it, Thelma! Thanks so much for your review ❤️
Diana
Hello,
I need to make a 2 layer 10″ first communion cake.
I was going to use 1 batter(recipe) per pan.
Does that make sense? What would be the cooking time?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Diana! That should work fine. We haven’t made this recipe in a 10″ pan, so unfortunately we aren’t sure on bake time. We’d appreciate if you told us how long it takes for yours to bake. Enjoy! 🙂
Cheyenne
Can you use olive oil if you don’t have vegetable oil?
Sam
Hi Cheyenne! I really recommend using a neutral cooking oil like vegetable or canola oil with this recipe. Olive oil has a stronger flavor that you may notice in the cake. That being said, it will work, just expect the flavor to be different.
Samantha
I made this recipe for my daughter’s first birthday last year, and incorporated sprinkles to make it a “funfetti” cake. IT. WAS. AMAZING. I’m currently about to attempt this recipe again for my best friend’s birthday, but she’s gluten sensitive and I’m hoping I can use King Arthur’s Gluten Free Flour (no xanthan gum) as replacement? I’ll comment with results.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Samantha! We’re so glad you love this recipe. We haven’t tried making a gluten-free version ourselves, but many others have done so successfully. Please let us know how it turns out! 🙂
Bridgette
Love this recipe! I’ve made it half a dozen times. I’ve successfully substituted milk for coconut milk once, made these into maple bacon cupcakes, and changed out the vanilla for orange extract and it was all yummy! Going to make these for my son’s birthday and I only have 1 cup sugar, do you think this would be too dense with 1 cup brown sugar and 1 cup granulated? I’m not concerned about color.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed the cake, Bridgette! While the cake will be a bit more dense, I think you will be fine to use half brown sugar and half granulated. The flavor will also be a bit richer, which isn’t a bad thing!
Dani
Hi Sam…. I have question for you. Can I use a 9 x 13 pan for your white cake recipe instate of two 8″ pans? Thank you for your help
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Dani! This cake will work just fine in a 9 x 13 pan. We haven’t done this ourselves yet, so we’re not positive on bake time. Just keep a close eye on it and use a toothpick to test for doneness. We’d love if you commented back with how long it takes! Enjoy 🙂
Kim
Is it okay to substitute the all purpose flour in this recipe for cake flour? And do you measure the flour before or after you sift it?
Sam
Hi Kim! That should be fine, just be sure to substitute properly (if measuring by volume you will need more cake flour than I call for in the recipe). I do not sift my flour.
Angie
I think your measurement was off for Baking powder. It really overpowered the cake.
Sam
Hi Angie! The amount listed is definitely correct. Could you have accidentally used baking soda or used expired baking powder or powder that had been exposed to moisture that had tiny clumps in it?
Ashley Gallaher
If I wanted to use this for the middle tier of a wedding cake would that work? I need to know if it’s a stackable recipe I guess. Thanks for the advice and recipe!
Sam
Hi Ashley! I’ve never stacked this cake more than 3 layers high so I can’t say for sure how well it will hold up for you.
Lisa Radakovich
While this a lovely cake, there is way too much batter for 2 8″ layers. Nearly ran over.
Sam
Hi Lisa! I haven’t ever run into this issue, but at least it didn’t run over. 🙂
Zhanna
I haven’t run into that issue either, I made 1 and 1/2 of this recipe to make 3 layers and the batter didn’t even go 1/2 way up the pan but rose nicely. You must of measured something wrong?
Vicki Carlson
Hi Sam: I’m making this for my granddaughter’s 6th birthday on Saturday. Can I bake in a 9×13 and turn it out to frost the sides? Also, can I add mini chocolate chips?
Thanks so much, I love all your recipes!
Vicki
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Vicki! That should work just fine, although we aren’t sure what the bake time will be, so keep an eye on it! Also, you can fold in your mini chocolate chips gently at the end. Don’t forget to check out our chocolate chip sheet cake recipe too! 🙂
sarah
l only need half the cupcakes this recipe is calling for, any way to half the recipe? i’ve made the cake before and it’s amazing. but also trying not to have leftovers bc i’ve recently lost weight and i know they will go straight in my mouth if there are any leftovers!
Sam
Hi Sarah! You can cut all of the ingredients in half. It will probably be easiest to use weight measurements on the flour. Congratulations on the weight loss! Keep up the good work. 🙂
Kaitlyn
Hi! Is this recipe really sweet? Is there a way to use less sugar? Or would that affect the texture/density too much? I want to make a strawberry shortcake with it but my family doesn’t like cake that is too sweet
Sam
Hi Kaitlyn! I personally don’t think this is an overly sweet cake. I haven’t tried reducing the sugar, but you could probably get away with reducing it a little bit. 🙂
Heather
Would this work for cupcakes also? If so what should the cook time be?
Sam
Hi Heather! I actually provide instructions for baking them as cupcakes right above the recipe in the post. 🙂
Lyla
Hi! I have a question for you. Do you have advice for if I want to make a 9” 3 layer cake? Thank you!
Sam
Hi Lyla! You will want to increase the recipe by 50%. Your bake time may be slightly reduced. I would just be sure to keep an eye on them. 🙂
Jan
Hi I need to make a white lemon cake. Do I replace the flavourings with lemon juice/zest?
Thanks
Sam
Hi Jan! For best results I would recommend following my lemon cake recipe, which is actually an altered version of this cake. 🙂
LisaMarie Searson
How long do you suggest baking 3- 6 in cakes?
Sam
Unfortunately I haven’t baked them as 6 inch pans so I’m not sure how long they will need to bake. You may have a little excess batter so make sure you don’t overfill the pans. 🙂