My favorite vanilla loaf cake (pound cake recipe)

Posted: September 6, 2024
My favorite vanilla loaf cake (pound cake recipe)

With this vanilla loaf cake recipe as a base, you can make any cake you like. Add cocoa or nuts and bake the most delicious cakes!

Baking a vanilla loaf cake

Today it is time for a good basic recipe: a delicious vanilla loaf cake. There are quite a few cake recipes on the site (more to come!), but a good basic loaf cake recipe was still missing. Time to change this and give you the best pound cake recipe. Keep in mind that loaf cake and pound cake are used interchangeably.  I use this recipe to make endless variations on loaf cake recipes.

I also use this recipe regularly when I start baking cupcakes or other cakes. It has also been used several times in the baking books I am working on. If you ask me, this is the best vanilla loaf cake recipe you can make. So it was time I shared it with you!

This is the only recipe I know by heart.

I usually know exactly what is needed for one of my recipes, but not exactly how much. After all, I don’t make most of them very often. Except for this vanilla loaf cake. I have made it many, many times. It is the only recipe I know completely by heart.

I have always loved baking cakes. I once went home during a two hour break between classes to bake a bundt cake, I was so hungry for cake. My time management could not have been better as I had to return to school while the cake was still in the oven. On a whim, I switched off the oven and left the cake in it. A few hours later, the cake turned out to be perfectly cooked, just stuck in the tin. It came out slightly battered, but no less delicious.

Vanilla loaf cake

Cake variations

How do you make a fluffy vanilla loaf cake?

Most of you want to make a light and fluffy cake, I totally understand. It’s not difficult at all, but there are a few important things you need to keep in mind.

Don’t beat the cake batter too long, otherwise the cake won’t be firm and it won’t cook evenly.

Do not add more baking powder (than called for in the recipe) thinking it might give you a higher cake

Do not open the oven door during baking.

With these tips, you are sure to get a fluffy vanilla cake out of the oven! Read on for even more tips on baking that perfect cake.

What do I need to bake a cake?

If you’re going to make a vanilla loaf cake, it’s important to know what you need and why. So I have listed and explained the most important ingredients for this cake recipe below. If you stick to them, I am sure you will make the most delicious cake! In terms of equipment you need a loaf pan (but you can also bake this recipe in a bundt pan if you want)

  • Unsalted butter, this gives the vanilla cake a lot of flavor but also a crunchy edge.
  • Self-rising flour, you can replace this with all purpose flour + baking powder
  • Fine granulated sugar, not only does it give your cake a sweet taste, but it is also a real structure builder.
  • Vanilla sugar, essential for a real vanilla cake. You can use vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste as well
  • Eggs, I always use medium sized eggs.
  • A pinch of salt, this brings out the sweet taste of the cake.
  • Loaf pan or cake tin, I have been baking my cakes in a 25 cm (10 inch) tin forever.

As you can see, the ingredients are few and the preparation method is simple. Not only will you bake a delicious cake, but you will also make endless variations on this easy recipe

vanilla loaf cake step by step

Making the basic vanilla loaf cake recipe

Start by taking a large bowl and add butter, sugar and vanilla sugar. Mix this until creamy and scrape the sides of the mixing bowl from time to time. Now add the eggs one by one and beat until smooth. You can use a hand electric mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer for this process.

Now gradually add the self rising flour and salt to the egg mix. Continue mixing until you have a smooth dough. The best way to make sure your cake comes out perfect every time is to first grease the loaf pan and than sprinkle on a little flour. Tap out the excess flour and make sure all corners of the tin are covered in a light dusting of flour. If you’re unsure you can use parchment paper to cover the tin as well.

Add the batter to the prepared pan and bake the loaf cake for about an hour at 175˚C (350˚F). Make sure to test if the cake is done by inserting a wooden skewer or cake tester in the top of the cake. If the skewer comes out clean the cake is cooked. Make sure to test in the center of the cake and not on the sides!

After baking, leave the cake in the tin to cool for a few minutes. Turn the cake out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

Don’t be too impatient. If the cake is still too hot it might break when you want to take it out.

What other cakes can I make with this basic Vanilla Cake recipe?

This basic recipe can be used to make many different types of cake. The possibilities are endless! And while that’s really fun and delicious, it can also be tricky for a novice baker.

Want to make a vanilla cake with a twist? I have included a few ready-made cake recipes that are a delicious twist on vanilla loaf cake, so you can easily make your own unique cake:

So vary this basic vanilla loaf cake recipe as much as you want, but don’t forget that it’s delicious without anything added!

Vanilla loaf cake-1

These baking tips will help you make the most delicious cake

Why is my cake so dry?

You have probably baked your cake for too long or at too high a temperature. It will dry out. If that happens you can add some golden syrup to soak into the cake and create a more tender crumb. Adding some whipped cream is also delicious and will mostly fix the issue.

Why doesn’t my cake rise?

There are several reasons for this:

  • You may have beaten the batter for too long, or you may have added too much leavening agents to the batter. This has allowed too much air into the batter, resulting in a collapsed batter or a dense cake.
  • The oven door was opened halfway, causing the cake to collapse due to the sudden temperature difference.
  • You used a cake tin that was too big. I always use a 25cm (10 inch) loaf pan for the ideal height.

If your cake did not come out nice and high, it is likely that your cake will also not be fluffy. This is because the causes are overlapping.

How long should a cake be left to cool?

When the cake is done (check with a skewer or a cake tester), remove it from the oven and leave it to cool in the cake tin for about 5-10 minutes. Then place the cake on a wire rack and leave to cool completely. It is important to keep the cake well wrapped in aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Or store in an airtight container.

 

Vanilla loaf cake

Save
Print recipe

No votes yet

Vanilla loaf cake

Using this vanilla loaf cake recipe as a base, you can make any cake you like. For example, add cocoa powder or nuts for a completely different cake.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 slices

Ingredients 

  • 200 grams unsalted butter
  • 200 grams caster sugar
  • 8 grams vanilla sugar
  • 4 eggs medium
  • 200 grams self-rising flour
  • pinch of salt

Equipment

  • 25 cm cake tin (10 inch)

Instructions

  • Mix the butter, sugar and vanilla sugar in a bowl. Mix until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time and beat until smooth.
  • Gradually add the self-rising flour and salt to the batter. Continue to mix until you have a smooth batter.
  • Pour the batter into a greased and floured baking pan. Bake for 60 minutes at 175°C or 350˚F (conventional oven).
  • Just before the cake is done, test it with a wooden skewer or a cake tester. If the skewer comes out clean, the cake is done.
  • After baking, let the cake cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then invert the cake onto a wire rack and let it cool completely.
Tips

With this batter you can also make 12 cupcakes!
How to store

You can keep this vanilla loaf for about a week, outside of the fridge, but kept in an airtight container or cover in aluminum foil.

Links in this article may be affiliate links. If you purchase something through such a link, I will receive a small commission, without you paying anything extra.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating