Vanilla Tray Bake

5 from 1 vote

This easy Vanilla Tray Bake recipe is for a fluffy vanilla sheet cake covered in creamy vanilla buttercream frosting. It is baked in a single rectangular cake tin so there is no need to worry about chilling, stacking, and filling, making it the perfect cake recipe for new bakers!

Prep Time40

Cook Time40

Course: Cakes

Cuisine: American

Servings: slices

Calories: 391kcal

Author: Cat Spiller

Equipment

1x rectangular cake tin 35x28x7cm (14x11x3 inches)

Ingredients

Vanilla Cake

100 g unsalted butter
100 ml sunflower oil
340 g sugar
4 eggs extra-large
380 g self-raising flour
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
400 ml milk whole

Vanilla Frosting

500 g powdered sugar
150 g unsalted butter
70 ml milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
sprinkles for decorating

Metric - US Customary

Instructions

Vanilla Cake

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and oil and line a rectangular cake tin 35x28x7cm (14x11x3 inches) with parchment paper.
Add the butter, oil, and sugar to a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs to the sugar and butter mixture one at a time. Beat well between each addition and scrape down the sides of the bowl often.
In a large bowl sift together the self-raising flour and salt.
In a jug mix together the milk and vanilla.
With the mixer’s motor running at medium-low speed, add the wet ingredients and the flour mixture to the egg and sugar mixture. Do this by alternating between the two. Starting with the flour and ending with the wet ingredients.
Using a rubber spatula scrape down the sides of the bowl and remix the cake batter. Ensuring that it is well-mixed and lump free.
Pour the vanilla cake batter into the prepared tin and bake in a preheated oven for 40 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in its tin for 30 minutes before turning it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Vanilla Frosting

In a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the butter and icing sugar. Beat at medium speed until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs.
In a jug combine the milk and vanilla, with the mixer's motor running at low speed slowly add the milk mixture. Continue until it has all been added. Then increase the speed of the mixer to medium-high. Beat until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl often.
Place the cooled cake onto a large plate and spread the frosting over the top of the cake using an offset spatula. Top with lots of sprinkles, slice, and enjoy!

Nutrition