What are the basic ingredients for a cake?

This vanilla cake uses all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk, neutral oil and vanilla. Other cakes may use butter, different raising agents or different liquids.

What temperature should I use to bake a cake?

For this recipe, use a preheated conventional oven at 350°F (175°C), or about 160°C with a fan. Follow the temperature specified for the recipe you are making.

Can beginners make a cake without a mixer?

Yes. This oil-based batter can be mixed with a whisk and spatula. Stop mixing once the flour is incorporated.

How do I know my cake is baked?

The center should be set, spring back gently and give a clean skewer or a few moist crumbs. Wet batter on the skewer means it needs longer.

Can I make this cake in a microwave?

Do not transfer these full-size oven instructions directly to a microwave. Use a separate microwave cake recipe with a microwave-safe container and appliance-specific timing.

How to Bake a Cake for Beginners: Easy Vanilla Cake

Name: Easy Vanilla Oil Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (180 g); 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 g); 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon fine salt; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup milk (120 mL); 1/3 cup neutral vegetable oil (80 mL); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Description

A simple vanilla oil cake for beginners, baked in one 8-inch square pan and mixed by hand.

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (180 g)

3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 g)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon fine salt

2 large eggs

1/2 cup milk (120 mL)

1/3 cup neutral vegetable oil (80 mL)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat a conventional oven to 350°F (175°C), or about 160°C fan. Grease an 8-inch square metal pan at least 2 inches deep and line its base with parchment.

Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

Separately whisk the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla until combined.

Pour wet ingredients into dry. Stir gently just until no dry flour remains, scraping the bottom.

Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake about 28–35 minutes, beginning to check at 28 minutes.

The center should spring back gently and a skewer should come out clean or with moist crumbs, without wet batter. Continue baking if needed.

Cool in the pan 10–15 minutes, then lift carefully onto a rack. Cool completely before frosting or serving. Cut into 9 squares.

Notes

Use the specified pan; other sizes and materials alter baking time. No electric mixer is needed. Do not taste raw batter. Storage: keep the plain cooled cake airtight in a cool kitchen up to 2 days, or freeze portions up to 2 months. Refrigerate perishable frostings. Baking time is an estimate; doneness signs control readiness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 square

Keywords: how to bake a cake,vanilla oil cake,cake for beginners