This super moist white cake recipe from scratch is the best white cake I’ve ever had. It’s made with sour cream and has a deliciously soft texture. No more looking around for a homemade white cake that’s actually moist. It’s the perfect recipe for a wedding cake or a birthday cake.
Hey there! Before you scroll, there’s lot’s of important stuff in the post!…including the FAQ section, which may answer any questions you might have about this recipe. Enjoy!
It’s an age old problem. How to get a moist white cake. You try recipe after recipe and either they taste like cornbread, the texture isn’t good, or it just isn’t moist enough. So, you end up just going for a box when you really wanted to make something with that ‘scratch wedding cake taste’.
You may have seen my Favorite Vanilla Bean Cake recipe on the blog. If not, go and check it out…it’s so moist and really tasty. It’s my favorite vanilla cake, hence the name, but I wanted to see if I could get a truly ‘white’ cake that I loved just as much and I wanted to get that wedding cake flavor.
Well I think I’ve done it. This cake is actually a white cake (I’d also consider it a vanilla cake) that is actually moist, AND it’s got that wedding cake taste.
LET’S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE CAKE INGREDIENTS:
Egg whites: So, when trying to get a cake as white as possible, I wanted to use only egg whites. Generally, using only egg whites can tend to dry out a cake a bit, so you have to add a bit more moisture, which I’ve done as well.
Butter & Shortening: Now, I like a buttery taste to my cake, but in the effort to try and get a ‘whiter’ cake, I lessened the amount of butter and substituted the rest with shortening. If you want an all butter cake recipe (using no shortening), you’ll want to check out my vanilla cake recipe.
All purpose flour or cake flour: Another thing to note is that you can use either all purpose flour or cake flour for this recipe. The amounts will differ and that’s noted on the printable recipe below.
Here’s the deal though: Using cake flour will give you a whiter cake. I’m not a scientist or anything, but I think it’s because the cake flour seems to be more bleached than the all purpose. I could be wrong, but regardless, you’ll get a whiter cake using cake flour.
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Vanilla Extract: First it’s the vanilla. You can always use clear extract to make sure it’s not adding any additional color to the batter, but I tend to use regular vanilla because honestly, it’s just better. If you can get it, try to use vanilla paste/emulsion (or grab it here if my shop is sold out).
Almond emulsion: Second, I added in my favorite flavor booster…almond emulsion (or get it here if my shop is sold out). You’re using just a touch of it, so you won’t really get an ‘almond taste’. It just adds to the flavor. Seriously most people won’t even know you’ve added it in there…they’ll just know it tastes amazing.
Ok, if you just can’t stand the thought of adding it, or you don’t have any handy, then don’t worry, it’ll still taste good. Oh and the emulsion is much better than the extract. The extract just does not taste good to me.
Butter Extract: Lastly I added in a bit of butter flavoring. Since I’d replaced some of the butter with shortening, I wanted to add back in some flavor. Now, that part is optional, but it really seems to give it that wedding cake flavor.
The butter flavoring you can get at the grocery store is gross to me…now that’s just my opinion. I feel like Lorann’s Butter Emulsion tastes much better.
You’ll also want to check out my vanilla bean buttercream recipe…it goes perfectly with this cake, but if you’re looking for a bright white buttercream, you’ll want to check out that recipe here: Bright White Heat Stable Buttercream.
MIXING METHOD FOR THE WHITE CAKE:
You’ll be using the reverse creaming method when mixing this cake. I like using that because it helps preven over-mixing the cake batter (which can cause problems with the texture).
The reverse creaming method is just mixing the dry ingredients in one bowl and the liquid in another. Then you’ll slowly mix in the butter and shortening to the dry mixture and let it coat the flour.
You’ll then add the liquid in two parts, mixing in between. It’s really an easier way to mix a cake in my opinion.
TIPS AND FAQS FOR THE WHITE CAKE RECIPE:
No, you don’t want to do that. These do two different things.
It’s basically just fat. I use vegetable shortening like Crisco, not lard which is animal fat. This helps get the cake moist and I use this in place of most of the butter to keep the color as white as possible.
Because I like the taste of butter. You just can’t beat butter in a cake.
I don’t recommend doing that. It could get too warm and will heat up unevenly. That could mess with the texture of your cake. Just set the butter out on your counter and let it warm up to almost room temp. It’s ok if it’s a little cooler than room temp…you just don’t want it warm.
You can, but the cake won’t be as moist and the texture and taste may be a little different than the original recipe. If you can’t find sour cream, try using full fat yogurt (not the low fat kind).
No not really. Actually regular vanilla extract or vanilla bean emulsion (or paste) tastes better, but clear will help keep the cake white if that’s really an important factor for you.
No. Some people just don’t like almond taste, but I will tell you that if you haven’t tried it, you might actually like the small hint of it. A lot of people assume they won’t like it, but honestly I think it tastes different than what most people think it would taste like. And you’ll just be adding a touch of it, just enough to add a little flavor.
No, but I think it adds a little more butter flavor and that in combination with the vanilla and almond emulsion are what gives it that classic wedding cake taste.
I’ve got links just below the recipe card for the ones that I like to use.
Anymore questions? Just let me know. I’m happy to help.
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Items & Tools Used for this cake:
- Vanilla Bean Paste – in my shop OR here if I’m sold out
- Almond Emulsion – in my shop OR here if I’m sold out
- Butter Emulsion
- KitchenAid Hand Mixer
- 8″ Round Baking Pans
Video:
Ok, I won’t talk your head off anymore…let’s get straight to the recipe!
Note About Recipe Measurements: I write recipes using volume (cups) measurements because here in the U.S., this is what people are more familiar with and I don’t want anyone to feel intimidated when baking. For metric/weight measurements, click the ‘metric’ button under the ingredients in the recipe card below. The weights are converted by a program, not me, and it’s just a best guess. I can’t guarantee that weighing the ingredients will produce the exact same results, since I test recipes using volume measurements.
Recipe
Moist White Cake
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or 2 ¾ cups cake flour – for an even whiter cake)
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup shortening
- ¼ cup butter (unsalted, room temp.)
- 1 cup sour cream (full fat)
- ½ cup milk (whole milk if you can get it)
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract (can use clear extract)
- ½ teaspoon almond emulsion (optional)
- 1 teaspoon butter extract (or emulsion) (optional)
- 6 egg whites (large eggs)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
- Grease and flour two 8 inch round (2 inch deep) cake pans. You could also use three 6 inch round pans.
- In a bowl, mix together the sour cream, milk, vanilla extract, almond emulsion, butter extract and egg whites.Whisk until smooth and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.Whisk together.
- Add the shortening and butter in chunks to the flour mixture.
- Mix until the flour is coated with the shortening and butter. The mixture will be crumbly.
- Add in half the liquid mixture and mix just until combined.
- Add in the last half of the liquid mixture and mix just until combined.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then mix again, only for 10-15 seconds.You want to be careful not to over-beat the batter.
- Pour into the greased and floured cake pans and bake at 325 degrees for 45-50 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack then cover with buttercream.
Notes
This cake can be frozen for up to a month if wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil. Nutritional values are an estimate. Make sure to check out the TIPS & FAQs for this recipe in the blog post, which may answer questions about substitutions. *This recipe card may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Buttercream Recipe Links: Vanilla Bean Buttercream Recipe Bright White Heat Stable Buttercream Recipe
Nutrition
How to Share
I’d love for you to share this recipe link or tag it, but please do not share screenshots or copy/paste the recipe to social media as the content and photographs are copyright protected and we (bloggers) work really hard on our content. Sharing the link, tagging us on socials and pinning it is super appreciated though!
OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Emily
This is an AMAZING recipe! The perfect white cake 😁 I subbed Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free & used clear vanilla extract in place of all extract/emulsions. It is fluffy, not overly sweet, a slight sugar crust….perfection 💝 Can’t wait to serve this for my son’s birthday!
Kara
Emily, this is wonderful to hear! I’m so glad you loved it! Thank you for letting me know that the 1 to 1 gluten flour worked – that is great to know and it will help others who need a gluten free cake. Thank you for the great review and also happy birthday to your son!
Melody
I made this cake for a graduation for family. I made it into a fun fetti cake with whipped icing. it was a hit I brought home 4 pieces out of a 16×16 pan. Everyone loved it was so good
Kara
Hi Melody, this is great! I’m so glad everyone loved it and I LOVE the idea of making it into a funfetti cake! Thank you for the awesome review! 🙂
Ami
This is the BEST White Cake Recipe I have ever made! The flavor and texture are absolutely perfect. The cake stays moist for several days and the combination of extracts creates the most amazing flavor profile. I’ve made this recipe 4 times and it comes out perfect everytime!
Kara
Hi Ami, that is awesome! I’m so glad you love this cake and I really appreciate the great review!
Pamela
I was looking for a white cake that was a little different. Adding buttermilk is amazing. My granddaughter loved the cake. Thank you for posting this I will definitely add it to my list of favorite cakes.
Kara
So glad your daughter loved it! Thank you for the wonderful comment. 🙂
Duane Trammell
This cake recipe is what I have been looking for…for 25 years! A cake that tastes like a professional baker’s wedding cake. The crumb/texture of this cake is perfect. The flavor is perfect. I bought each of the special flavorings and followed the recipe exactly. It came out perfect. This will be my go-to recipe for special occasions. Thank you for experimenting to arrive at a recipe that we can make. I was reluctant to use the shortening recipe icing instead of butter cream, but it is actually perfect for this cake, holds up better, and makes a professional-looking cake. Taste difference was negligible. It is possible to cut the the heat stable icing recipe in half and still have enough for the 8″ cake if you just want a medium coverage with little piping. Delicious. We have devoured the cake in just a few days!
Kara
Duane, what a wonderful review! Thank you so much! I am so happy that you love this cake and that it’s what you’ve been searching for. This comment has really brightened my day!
Ann
do you have this recipe with the ingredients in weights?
Kara
Hi Ann, if you click the word ‘metric’ under the ingredient list in the recipe card, it will automatically convert the ingredients to metric for you and most will be in weight measurements. Hope this helps.
Victoria Johnson
Can I use buttermilk instead of whole milk?
Kara
Hi Victoria, I think that would work fine. This recipe already has baking soda in it (which is needed when adding an acid, since we’re already using sour cream), so I think it should be enough. I’m not entirely sure how it would affect the texture, since it’s thicker than the milk, but it may work out fine.
Victoria Burruano
it was amazing, i did a jam layer and
now i want to make another one! it was perfect, thank you for the recipe!
Kara
Adding a jam layer sounds delicious! So glad you liked it and thank you for the great review!
Debbie
I am planning on making this for my grandson’s but I don’t want to use Crisco.
Can you recommend a healthier alternative, maybe unrefined coconut oil or non-hydrogenated palm oil shortenings like Spectrum Organic, which avoid trans fats entirely and have a better fat profile?
Kara
Hi Debbie, Happy to help. I use shortening in this particular cake because it adds the fat, but keeps the cake white in color. It also gives the cake a fluffier texture. Having said that, theoretically coconut oil would work as well. I have not tested that out in this recipe specifically, so I don’t know for sure how it will affect the texture, but it’s definitely worth a shot. It might leave a slight coconut taste unless you use the refined coconut oil. You could just use butter in place of the shortening as well, however I feel like the cake would not be quite as moist and soft and it would be more of a yellow color.
Here are some links to a couple butter vanilla cakes: (these are more of a yellow or golden color as they’re made with whole eggs and all butter)
https://iscreamforbuttercream.com/moist-vanilla-cake-strawberry-filling/
https://iscreamforbuttercream.com/favorite-vanilla-bean-cake/
You could probably use palm oil, although I generally steer clear of recommending anything ‘palm’ as it can be upsetting to some over environmental concerns and I try not to get involved in those types of discussions.
I hope this helps! Also, if you do try the coconut oil, I’d love to know how it turns out and what you thought about it!