Vanilla Snack Cake

Table of Contents

1. Vanilla Snack Cake
2. Ingredients
3. How to Make
4. What is a snack cake? 
5. How can I decorate my snack cake? 
6. Can I freeze a snack cake? 
7. How to Store Vanilla Snack Cake 
8. JUMP TO RECIPE

Tender and soft, easy vanilla snack cake is just the right size for a quick dessert. Baked in an 8x8 pan you can make this easy cake any day of the week.

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MORE RECIPES: Vanilla Cupcakes | Vanilla Crazy Cake | Banana Pudding Cake

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Vanilla Snack Cake

Moist, delicious, this small single-layer cake is the perfect thing to make when a cake craving hits. No need to wait for a special occasion, easy to make, homemade vanilla snack cake is meant to be enjoyed for no particular reason other than wanting a slice of cake. 

Enjoy your cake plain, or smother the top with a fluffy, tasty frosting. Serve your cake after dinner for a traditional dessert or sink your fork into a slice in the middle of the afternoon. 

You can be extra indulgent and pair your cake with a scoop of ice cream or enjoy it with a mug of hot chocolate. In addition to the vanilla frosting, you could also top your vanilla cake with powdered sugar, chocolate frosting, or even slices of fresh fruit. 

What you'll need to make this:

For The Cake:

• 1½ cups of cake flour 
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ½ cup of vegetable oil 
• ½ cup of whole milk
• ½ cup of sour cream
• 1 egg
• 1½ teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon of almond extract

For The Frosting (optional):

• ¾ cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 cups of powdered sugar
• 5 tablespoons of whole milk

This simple one-layer cake can be turned into a layer cake. You can use the recipe to make a small 2-layer 6-inch cake, or double the recipe to create a standard-sized 2-layer cake. 

If you don’t have cake flour you can use all-purpose flour, but it will need to be sifted then whisked. When mixing the cake together it’s very important that you do not over mix, or aggressively mix the flour in, otherwise, the cake will be very dense.

The cake can be enjoyed without any frosting, but it can also be topped with vanilla frosting, chocolate frosting, powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar, and, of course, everything’s better with sprinkles. Another option is to enjoy your cake with fresh fruit. 

For The Cake

FIRST STEP: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Using a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, white sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Set dry ingredients aside.

SECOND STEP: Using a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, milk, sour cream, egg, vanilla, and almond extract.

THIRD STEP: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the flour mixture, folding just until the flour is incorporated.

FOURTH STEP: Pour the vanilla cake batter into the prepared 8×8 square baking pan sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake in the preheated oven for 28 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

FIFTH STEP: Cool the cake completely before frosting the top of the cake.

For The Frosting (optional)

FIRST STEP: Using a medium bowl and an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream together the butter and vanilla for 1 to 1½ minutes.

SECOND STEP: Lower the hand mixer to low speed and add the powdered sugar and milk. Increase the speed to medium speed.

Mix for another 1½ to 2 minutes or until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. 

THIRD STEP: Use a rubber spatula or an offset spatula to spread the creamy vanilla buttercream frosting evenly.

What is a snack cake? 

Snack cakes are small, easy-to-make, single-layer cakes. They are usually topped with a simple frosting or glaze. 

How can I decorate my snack cake? 

Top your cake with vanilla frosting, chocolate frosting, powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar. You can also add sprinkles, fresh fruit, or pipe more elaborate decorations. 

Can I freeze a snack cake? 

The unfrosted cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer.

How to Store Vanilla Snack Cake 

ON THE COUNTER:  Unfrosted cake can be covered and then kept at room temperature for 2 days. 

IN THE FRIDGE:  Leftover snack cake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

IN THE FREEZER: Unfrosted cake can be covered tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and then stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow the cake to come to room temperature before frosting and cutting.