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French Vanilla Cake

French Vanilla Cake Recipe

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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 584
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 to 3 tbsp heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter two 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment.
  2. Beat butter and sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Mix in eggs and egg yolks one at a time, then add vanilla.
  4. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture in three batches, alternating with buttermilk, mixing just until combined.
  5. Divide batter into pans and bake 28 to 32 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  6. For the buttercream, beat butter until creamy, then gradually add sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy. Frost cooled cake layers and serve.

Notes

If the frosting tastes a little too sweet, a tiny pinch of salt balances it. The cake layers freeze beautifully unfrosted—just wrap them in plastic and foil.