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.
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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)
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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
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OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Lori
Can I use butter flavored shortening instead of the butter flavoring?
Kara Jane
Hi Lori, you can try it although I haven’t tested that out, so I don’t know what the end result would be.
Alicia
Hi, I want to make this in a 12″ cake pan would this one recipe be ok for it? I need to make a doubled layer cake so I am hoping I can make two batches one for each layer. I am excited to try this recipe for my daughters birthday coming up next week!
Kara Jane
Hey Alicia, yes I think you’re exactly right. One batch will be enough for each 12″ cake layer, so you’ll end up making two batches. (You might have a bit of batter leftover after each layer, but you can make cupcakes out of that.) Anyway I hope your daughter’s birthday is a great success and that she has fun! I’d love to know how the cake turns out!
Alicia
Thank you so much for your reply! Extra batter means mini cupcakes to help decorate her table ☺️ I’ll definitely update you with how it turns out!
Alicia
The cake turned out absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe.
Kara Jane
Oh good! I’m so glad! ?
Theresa Jarriel
This cake is the bomb!! So very moist! Loved it!!
Kara Jane
That’s great to hear! I’m so glad you loved it! ?
Rachel
Can this recipe be made into a sheet cake
Kara Jane
I have not made this in a sheet cake pan. It may be okay, but I just haven’t tried it. Depending on how thin the sheet pan is, you’ll want to at least double the recipe, maybe even triple it or more…just depends on how deep your pan is. Essentially this one recipe will make enough for a 13×9 inch pan which is a quarter sheet cake. If the sheet cake pan you’re using is very thin, you’ll need to watch your baking time very closely as it will bake quickly.
Corinne
Hi!! I have 9 in pans but am dying to make this cake- what modifications do you think I could make to make it work out?! Thank you!
Kara Jane
Corinne, it should bake just fine in 2, 9 inch pans. The layers will be a little thinner, but it’ll be okay. I would start checking for doneness about 10 minutes earlier, just to make sure you don’t over bake it though.
Beth Boatman
I am going to use this for cupcakes….is there any alteration you would make?
Kara Jane
Hi Beth, yes… fill the cupcake wrappers just slightly over half full. Bake at 350 degrees, not 325. Start checking them at about 20-25 minutes although you might need a bit more baking time than that.
Toi
Hello! Do you think this recipe will hold for a fondant cake, or will it be too moist to hold! I love the ingredients, but I want to make a fondant cake for my son since we are in house arrest lol and I can’t order one.
Kara Jane
Toi, yes this one should be strong enough to handle fondant. And what better time to start doing cakes than when sheltering in place, right? lol 🙂
DEBBIE GRIFFITHS
Do you think this recipe would work with soy cream cheese and almond milk?
Kara Jane
Hi Debbie, I’m not sure. I’ve never tried it with either.
Galen
If I don’t have shortening can I just use all butter? If so, what would the total amount of butter be? I don’t mind the cake not being white. Thank!
Kara Jane
Galen, that might work, but I just haven’t tried it out. The cake might not be quite as soft if you use all butter though, but I think it would work. Just use the same amount as the shortening. If you want an all butter vanilla cake, I have a recipe that’s tried and true here: https://iscreamforbuttercream.com/favorite-vanilla-bean-cake/
Kristina
Do you think this cake would work in an ice cream cake?
Kara Jane
Yes I think it would. It will firm up a bit when cold and that will make it dense enough to handle the added ice cream.
Mary Munzert
How many cups of batter does this recipe yield? I’m trying to estimate how many times to make the recipe to fill pans for a wedding cake.
Kara Jane
Hi Mary, I’m not exactly sure how many cups it makes. I normally just go by how many recipe batches to make when estimating the amount of cake batter that’s needed. If you can tell me the size of the cake layers you’ll be making and how many layers, I can help estimate how many recipe batches you’d need to make.
Mary Munzert
The cake will be a 2 layer tier 7″ round and a 2 layer tier 10″ round. My pans are 2″ high. How many recipe batches would you estimate?
Kara Jane
Hi Mary, I would probably mix up 1 batch for the 2, 7″ round cake layers. You might have a bit of batter left over, but not too much. For the 10″ pans, I would make a recipe and a half. Hope this helps!
Taylor
Wow! This is a really delicious cake! I’ve only cut the top off to level mine out a little bit, and I am LOVING what I am tasting. I’m pretty new to the cake baking and decorating world, and I’ve been looking for a good, made from scratch recipe, and I think I’ve just struck gold! I’m going to top it will your Vanilla Bean Buttercream, and I’m just as anxious to try that! Thank you for so kindly sharing your recipe. I’m so grateful!
Kara Jane
Hey Taylor, that’s great! I’m so glad you like it…that just makes me smile. 🙂 Thanks for the wonderful comment!
Wendy Long
Do you think this recipe will work with gluten free flour (Bob’s Red Mill, 1-to-1)?
Kara Jane
Hi Wendy, I really don’t know. I don’t have much experience baking with gluten free flour. It’s worth a shot though!
Chelsea
Amazing! My go-to birthday cake! So moist! I actually prefer to make it the day before we eat it and let it sit on the counter overnight. It seems to moisten up even more after a day or 2. YUM!
Kara Jane
YES!!! This is so great to hear!
laura bailey
so i have used this recipe before and it has came out great but I am trying to make a cake that looks like watermelon but still just using white cake and I want to add chocolate chips to the batter. will it still bake correctly?
Kara Jane
Hi Laura, I would break up the chocolate chips a bit in a food processor, then coat them in a little flour before adding to the cake batter…that way they don’t sink to the bottom of the cake while it’s baking. Another option is to use mini chocolate chips. Otherwise, it should bake up the same.