For anyone that gave up sweets for lent (or pretty much anyone that likes cake), you’re going to want to make this deliciously sweet vanilla Easter cake. I tried giving up sweets for Lent and failed miserably, but it’s okay because I made this cake a couple times and it was so worth it. It’s moist and light and sweet and dense…pretty much everything you want a vanilla cake to be! Since Easter is this Sunday I decided to decorate with some Cadbury eggs to make it festive. Perfect for any Easter brunch that everyone is sure to love.

Vanilla Easter Cake Recipe

Ingredients

FOR THE CAKE:

1 1/2 cups salted butter (3 sticks), softened

2 1/4 cups sugar

4 egg whites, room temperature

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 3/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 cups whole milk, room temperature

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:

1 1/2 sticks salted butter, softened

1 box confectioners sugar (16 oz)

2 tablespoons heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Instructions

FOR THE CAKE:

-Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two, 9″ cake pans with butter or shortening.

-Cream butter and sugar together for 2 minutes. The butter will be light and fluffy.

-Add egg whites, vanilla, and almond extract, beating for 1 minute, no more or the consistency will change.

-In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.

-Add about a third of the flour to the wet mixture and beat until incorporated.

-Alternate adding the flour and milk mixtures to the butter mixture, ending with the flour mixture. Don’t overmix.

-Divide the batter into pans and bake for 28-38 minutes.

-Cool in pans for 10 minutes and then move to a cooling rack until completely cooled.

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:

-Cream butter for about 3 minutes, making it light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and mix until combined.

-Mix in a third of the confectioner’s sugar, alternating with heavy cream until well blended.

-Frost the middle and top of the cake and decorate with sprinkles or Cadbury eggs if desired.

If you’re looking for more sweet spring treats check out my Spring M&M cookie recipe!