There’s something magical about cake—it brings joy to birthdays, holidays, and even ordinary days. But many people assume baking a cake from scratch is complicated. The truth? It doesn’t have to be! With just a few pantry staples and simple steps, you can whip up a moist, fluffy, and delicious cake that looks and tastes like it came from a bakery.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or stepping into the kitchen for the first time, this guide will show you why you won’t believe how easy this cake recipe is!
Why This Cake Recipe Works
Simple Ingredients: No fancy baking tools or specialty items needed.
One-Bowl Method: Less mess, less stress.
Quick to Bake: Ready in under an hour.
Endlessly Versatile: Dress it up with frosting, fruit, or keep it plain and simple.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For one 8-inch round cake:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
2 large eggs
½ cup milk (whole or 2%)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and flour an 8-inch cake pan (or line with parchment paper).
Step 2: Make the Batter
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Stir in vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, alternating with milk.
Mix until just combined (don’t overmix).
Step 3: Bake
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 4: Cool and Serve
Let cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Frost, dust with powdered sugar, or enjoy plain with a cup of tea.
Variations to Try 🍫🍓🍋
Chocolate Cake: Add ½ cup cocoa powder to dry ingredients.
Lemon Cake: Mix in 1 tbsp lemon zest and replace milk with lemon juice + water.
Berry Cake: Fold in 1 cup fresh blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries.
Marble Cake: Swirl in melted chocolate before baking.
Tips for the Best Cake Every Time
Use room temperature ingredients: They blend more evenly.
Don’t overmix the batter: This keeps your cake light and fluffy.
Check early: Oven times vary—start checking at 30 minutes.
Cool completely before frosting: Prevents melting or sliding.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cake is:
Beginner-friendly yet impressive.
Quick to make with minimal cleanup.
Perfect for any occasion—from birthday parties to casual snacking.
Easily customizable for endless flavor options.
Conclusion
Baking a cake from scratch doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, with this simple method, you won’t believe how easy this cake recipe is! Moist, fluffy, and delicious, it’s the kind of dessert that will leave your family and friends asking for seconds.
So next time you’re craving something sweet, skip the boxed mix and give this easy recipe a try. You’ll see just how rewarding—and simple—homemade cake can be! 🎂✨