Best 5 Vanilla Sheet Cake Recipes

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Vanilla sheet cake: a classic dessert loved by many for its moist texture, sweet vanilla flavor, and versatile nature. This crowd-pleasing cake is perfect for birthdays, potlucks, or any special occasion. This recipe provides a detailed guide to making a vanilla sheet cake from scratch, along with variations for different dietary preferences and creative toppings. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, this article has everything you need to make a delicious and impressive vanilla sheet cake.

The classic vanilla sheet cake recipe yields a moist and fluffy cake with a delicate vanilla flavor. It's made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and milk, and flavored with pure vanilla extract. The cake is baked in a sheet pan, resulting in a large, flat cake that can be easily cut into squares or bars.

This versatile recipe also includes variations for different dietary needs and preferences. For a gluten-free version, almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend can be used instead of all-purpose flour. For a vegan version, eggs and dairy can be substituted with plant-based alternatives. Additionally, the recipe provides inspiration for creative toppings, such as a classic vanilla frosting, a luscious chocolate ganache, or a refreshing fruit compote.

This comprehensive article not only provides the classic vanilla sheet cake recipe but also offers variations and topping ideas to suit different tastes and dietary restrictions. With clear instructions and helpful tips, it empowers home bakers of all skill levels to create a delicious and visually appealing vanilla sheet cake that will be a hit at any gathering.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

CHOCOLATE SHEET CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTERCREAM



Chocolate Sheet Cake with Vanilla Buttercream image

Cocoa powder and melted chocolate give this classic Chocolate Sheet Cake with Vanilla Buttercream deep, well-rounded flavor. Inspired by devil's food cake, it's a party-perfect dessert that's rich but not overly sweet.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes     Fillings & Frostings     Buttercream Frosting Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield Serves 12 to 16

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
1/2 cup boiling water
1/3 cup natural cocoa powder
3 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
1/2 recipe Vanilla Swiss-Meringue Buttercream
Chocolate curls, for serving (optional; see note, above)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Line bottom with parchment; butter parchment. Stir together boiling water, cocoa, and chocolate; let cool 10 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in another bowl.
  • Beat butter with sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla, then chocolate mixture. Reduce speed to low; beat in flour mixture in two batches, alternating with sour cream, until just combined. Scrape batter into prepared pan, smoothing top with an offset spatula.
  • Bake until a tester inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 35 to 40 minutes (top will not spring back). Let cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack and remove parchment; let cool completely. Cake can be made up to 1 day ahead and stored at room temperature, wrapped in plastic.
  • Spread buttercream evenly over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with chocolate curls. (Leftovers can be refrigerated, wrapped in plastic, up to 3 days; return to room temperature before serving.)

VANILLA SHEET CAKE WITH LEMON CREAM-CHEESE FROSTING



Vanilla Sheet Cake with Lemon Cream-Cheese Frosting image

This timeless frosted vanilla cake is finished with lemon zest tossed in granulated sugar for a sweet, citrusy crunch. It's topped with the perfect lemon cream-cheese frosting for a delightful dessert.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Time 1h

Yield Serves 12 to 16

Number Of Ingredients 12

9 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1/4 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
1 pint blueberries, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan; dust with flour. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Beat butter with 1 cup sugar on medium speed in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with buttermilk and beginning and ending with flour.
  • Transfer batter to prepared pan, smoothing top with an offset spatula. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until cake is golden and puffed and a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 22 to 25 minutes. Let cake cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
  • Combine lemon zest and remaining 1 teaspoon sugar. Use an offset spatula to spread cake with frosting. Sprinkle with lemon sugar. Serve, with blueberries.

VANILLA SHEET CAKE WITH MALTED-CHOCOLATE FROSTING



Vanilla Sheet Cake with Malted-Chocolate Frosting image

Sheet cakes, long a staple of bake sales and potlucks, are easy to make and even easier to transport. Be sure to let the cake cool completely before you frost it. Once frosted, the cake can be covered with plastic wrap and kept at room temperature up to three days.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/8 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons malted milk powder
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons boiling water
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) plus 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
10 1/2 ounces milk chocolate, melted and cooled
Pinch of salt
Chopped malted milk balls (optional), for decorating

Steps:

  • Make the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Dust with flour, tapping out excess. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • With an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until combined. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with 2 batches of buttermilk; beat to combine, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla.
  • Transfer batter to prepared pan; smooth top with an offset spatula. Bake, rotating half way through, until cake is golden and puffed and a cake tester comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Meanwhile, make the frosting: In a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa and malted milk powders. Add the boiling water, whisk until smooth, and let cool. With mixer on high speed, beat butter until smooth. Add cocoa mixture; beat until combined. Add chocolate and salt. Raise mixer speed to medium- high; beat until frosting is smooth and peaks form, about 3 minutes. Spread frosting over cake; sprinkle with malted milk balls, if desired.

VANILLA SHEET CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE-GANACHE BUTTERCREAM



Vanilla Sheet Cake with Chocolate-Ganache Buttercream image

The quintessential birthday cake is reborn as an ultra-moist sheet cake. Rather than the usual cocoa powder-confectioners' sugar combo, the state-of-the-art frosting is a chocolate ganache that gets whipped with plenty of butter into glossy swoops.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield Serves 16 to 20

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 large egg plus 4 large yolks, room temperature
Scraped seeds from 1 vanilla bean, or 2 teaspoons pure vanilla paste
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (1 3/4 cups)
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces

Steps:

  • Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9‐by‐13‐inch baking pan. Beat butter with sugar, baking powder, and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg and yolks, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition and scraping down sides as needed. Beat in both vanillas, then flour in three additions, alternating with milk and beginning and ending with flour. Scrape batter into prepared pan, smoothing top with an offset spatula.
  • Bake until a tester inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cool completely.
  • Buttercream: Place chocolate in a heatproof mixing bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream and corn syrup to a boil. Pour mixture over chocolate; let stand 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Let cool 30 minutes.
  • Beat, gradually adding butter, until all has been added and buttercream is silky and smooth. Continue beating, scraping down bowl as needed, until light and fluffy, about 1 minute more. Makes about 3 cups. Use immediately.
  • Assembly: Spread buttercream evenly over cake. (Leftovers can be refrigerated, wrapped in plastic, up to 3 days.)

VANILLA TEXAS SHEET CAKE W/CREAM CHEESE FROSTING



Vanilla Texas Sheet Cake w/Cream Cheese Frosting image

Found this cake recipe in our local newspaper, this is very good and is a change from chocolate texas sheet cake

Provided by Kris41

Categories     Dessert

Time 45m

Yield 10-15 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2/3 cup buttermilk
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup margarine
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups coconut (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 (1 lb) box powdered sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Steps:

  • Mix flour and sugar together in bowl, Bring to boil, margarine, oil and water, pour over flour and sugar mixture.
  • Beat well.
  • Then add eggs, baking soda, vanilla and buttermilk, mix well.
  • Pour into greased and floured 15x10 jelly roll pan.
  • Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until cake tests done with toothpick.
  • Remove from oven while still warm frost with cream cheese frosting.
  • Cream together margarine, cream cheese, the add vanilla, coconut, nuts and powdered sugar.
  • Mix well, spread warm cake.

Tips:

  • Use room temperature ingredients. This will help the cake batter come together more smoothly and evenly.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will incorporate air into the batter, making the cake light and tender.
  • Gradually add the eggs, one at a time. Beating well after each addition.
  • Mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can toughen the cake.
  • Pour the batter into a prepared cake pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting. This will help the frosting set properly.

Conclusion:

This vanilla sheet cake is a classic for a reason. It's simple to make, moist and delicious. The perfect cake for any occasion. Whether you're a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, you'll love this recipe. So what are you waiting for? Give it a try today!

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