Classic Vanilla Sheet Cake with Buttercream Frosting

by

Sure! The cake in the image looks like a Classic Vanilla Sheet Cake with Buttercream Frosting — a timeless favorite for birthdays, holidays, and celebrations. Here’s a big, detailed recipe with everything you requested: introduction, ingredients, instructions, history, benefits, formation, nutrition, and more. 🍰

🌼 Classic Vanilla Sheet Cake with Buttercream Frosting

🧁 Introduction

This Classic Vanilla Sheet Cake is the definition of comfort and celebration. With its light, fluffy texture and creamy buttercream frosting, it’s the kind of cake that brings back childhood memories of birthdays and Sunday family gatherings. It’s simple yet elegant, making it perfect for any occasion — from casual get-togethers to festive parties.

🥣 Ingredients

For the Vanilla Cake:

  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) sour cream

For the Classic Buttercream Frosting:

  • 1 ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 5 cups (600g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3–5 tbsp heavy cream or milk (as needed)
  • Pinch of salt

🍰 Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan (or line with parchment paper).

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
  3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  4. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding the dry ingredients with buttermilk and sour cream, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

Step 3: Bake

  1. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  2. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  3. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.

Step 4: Prepare the Buttercream

  1. Beat butter until creamy (about 3 minutes).
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, while mixing on low speed.
  3. Add vanilla, salt, and cream until the frosting is smooth, fluffy, and spreadable.
  4. Spread generously over the cooled cake using a spatula, creating swoops and peaks for a homemade look.

🧡 History

The sheet cake became popular in the United States during the mid-20th century, especially in community gatherings and potlucks. Unlike tall layered cakes, sheet cakes were easier to bake, frost, and transport. The combination of vanilla cake with buttercream has roots tracing back to early European sponge cakes and American butter cakes, representing simplicity, joy, and celebration.

🌿 Benefits

  • Simple & Versatile: Easy to bake and decorate for any event.
  • Comfort Dessert: Light, fluffy, and nostalgic — a mood booster!
  • Homemade Goodness: No preservatives or artificial additives.
  • Perfect for Sharing: Serves a crowd with minimal effort.
  • Customizable: Can be flavored with lemon zest, almond extract, or cocoa.

🏗 Formation (Cake Structure Explanation)

This cake forms its tender crumb from the cream method — beating butter and sugar together to trap air, which helps it rise. The buttermilk adds tang and moisture, while sour cream enhances the softness and stability, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

🧾 Nutrition (Per Serving — 1 slice out of 15)

  • Calories: 410 kcal
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Sugar: 42 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fiber: 0.5 g

(Values may vary based on portion size and frosting thickness.)

💞 Lovers of This Cake

This recipe is adored by:

  • Home bakers who love simplicity and success every time.
  • Families celebrating birthdays, picnics, and holidays.
  • Cake lovers who crave that classic bakery flavor at home.
  • Buttercream enthusiasts who live for creamy frosting swirls.

🍯 Methods Recap

  1. Creaming Method – to build a fluffy cake texture.
  2. Alternate Mixing – ensures even batter consistency.
  3. Whipping Buttercream – for smooth, airy frosting.
  4. Frosting Artistry – create decorative swirls for a charming, rustic finish.

🎀 Conclusion

This Classic Vanilla Sheet Cake isn’t just dessert — it’s a slice of happiness. Whether you make it for a birthday, a celebration, or just a cozy weekend treat, each bite delivers sweetness, nostalgia, and love.

💖 Lovers’ Note

Those who’ve tasted this cake say it’s like “a hug in dessert form.” Soft, buttery, and beautifully frosted — this cake makes everyone fall in love with homemade baking again.

Would you like me to turn this into a printable recipe card (PDF) or a social media caption version next?

Leave a Comment