Vanilla cake is a simple and extremely versatile recipe to have in your back pocket. This recipe produces a moist sponge that also provides a denser texture than a typical cake recipe. I love to use this recipe as a base for many creative cake recipes, especially cocktail inspired cakes such as margarita cake and strawberry champagne cake (both recipes coming to the blog soon!).

When I make cupcakes using this recipe, I always like to cut out the center and fill it with just about any type of delicious filling. Curds, ganaches, or compotes paired with deliciously flavored buttercream are great ways to customize this vanilla cake recipe. This is one of my favorite go-to cake recipes because you can have fun making many unique flavor combinations.

What makes this vanilla cake recipe special? Mayonnaise. Yep, that condiment you usually associate with sandwiches and burgers. I know it sounds weird because I thought it did too when I first heard of chocolate mayonnaise cake. I decided to try a chocolate mayonnaise cake recipe I found online, and it is now my favorite sponge recipe because it produces super moist, delicious cakes. Mayonnaise is made by making an emulsion of oil and eggs, so the extra egg is a key part to making the sponge extra moist.

Tips & Info:

• This recipe produces a denser sponge than a typical cake recipe, so it will not rise as much. When making cupcakes, you will want to fill the liners approximately ¾ or just above ¾ full to ensure that the cupcake does not sit too low in the cupcake liner.
• When you want to add a filling to your cupcakes, use a small circle cutter (such as fondant and gum paste cutters) to cut and remove the center of the cupcake. If you do not have circle cutters, simply use a paring knife to cut some of the center out of the cupcake.
• Fun-fact: I developed this cake recipe using that chocolate mayonnaise cake recipe I found online.

Vanilla Cake

Recipe by Carly PrestonCourse: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoons baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 3 large eggs (room temperature)

• 1 1/2 cups granulated (caster) sugar

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• 1 cup water

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
• Sift the flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a mixing bowl. Whisk the mixture to make sure the dry ingredients are well combined.
• Add room temperature eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract into a separate bowl and mix using either a stand mixer or a hand mixer. Mix on a medium-high speed until the ingredients lighten in color, which will take approximately 3-4 minutes.
• Add the mayonnaise and mix on medium speed until well combined, approximately 1-2 minutes.
• Add one-third of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined (do not overmix!). While mixing, pour one-third of the water into the bowl. Repeat until all dry ingredients, wet ingredients, and water are just combined. Add the cake batter to your desired cake or cupcake pans.
• Bake 6” round cakes for approximately 25-30 minutes, regular cupcakes for approximately 15-18 minutes, or mini cupcakes for approximately 10-12 minutes. Baking times will vary depending on what you are making, but you will know when your sponge is done when a cake tester (such as a toothpick) inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
• Remove pans from the oven and let the sponge or cupcakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Next, remove the sponge or cupcakes from the pans and let them completely cool on a wire rack or baking sheet.
• Fill and decorate with your favorite fillings and buttercreams. Enjoy!

Notes

• This cake recipe yields approximately three 6” sponge layers, 18-20 regular-sized cupcakes, OR 65-70 mini cupcakes.
• I use a store-bought mayonnaise to save time. You might be able to use a homemade mayonnaise; however, store-bought mayonnaise typically has some vinegar and lemon, so homemade mayonnaise may not result in the desired cake consistency.

Thank you so much for checking out this recipe! Please leave a comment below regarding how you enjoyed this cake recipe and what fun flavor combos you used to make your cake unique!