Basic White Cake

This is my go to white cake I bake for cupcakes or cakes.  This recipe is great for decorating with my Butter Cream Frosting.


I have made this basic cake into more exciting recipes like: Chocolate Chip Cupcakes, Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Filling, Mocha Cupcakes, Swirl Cupcakes, Coconut Cupcakes.


1/2 cup butter or shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream the butter and sugar, until well combined.
Mix in both eggs, then mix in vanilla.
Mix in baking powder, salt, and 1 cup of flour.
Once combined, mix in 1/2 cup of milk.
Once combined, mix in remaining 3/4 cup of flour.
Once combine, mix in remaining 1/4 cup of milk.
Pour into greased and lined muffin pan or greased cake pan.
For cupcakes, bake for 15 to 25 minutes (depending on how much you fill each cupcake liner) or 25 to 30 minutes for a cake.
For cake test, put a toothpick in the middle of the cake/cupcake and it should come out clean. 

Different Variations