Discover the ultimate secret weapon for your kitchen: a core recipe for year-round baking. This simple yet elegant vanilla bean cake is the perfect canvas for any season, any celebration, or any day you just need a sweet treat. Forget searching for different recipes every few months; this is the one you’ll come back to time and time again.
We’ve all been there—scrolling endlessly for the right recipe. But with this guide to year-round baking recipes, you’ll be prepared for anything. This vanilla cake is buttery, moist, and infused with real vanilla bean flavor, making it a timeless classic that everyone will love.
Why You Need a Go-To Recipe for Year-Round Baking
Life is busy, and having a reliable, versatile recipe in your back pocket is a game-changer. This Any-Season Vanilla Cake is designed to be just that. It uses simple pantry staples, meaning you can often whip it up without a special trip to the store. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. It’s delicious on its own but truly shines when customized with seasonal ingredients.
From fresh spring berries to warm autumn spices, this cake embraces every part of the year. It’s one of the most versatile baking recipes you’ll ever find. If you love this, you might also enjoy these Easy Vanilla Cake Squares.
Simple steps for foolproof baking, every single time.
Ingredients for the Perfect Any-Season Cake
This recipe relies on simple, high-quality ingredients to create a deliciously moist and flavorful crumb. Here’s what you’ll need to get started.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cake, providing structure.
Baking Powder: Gives the cake a light, fluffy lift.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
Unsalted Butter: Use room temperature butter for a smooth, creamy batter.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender texture.
Eggs: Room temperature eggs mix more evenly into the batter.
Vanilla Extract or Paste: Use high-quality pure vanilla for the best flavor.
Whole Milk: Adds moisture and richness. Room temperature is key!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Year-Round Baking Success
Follow these simple steps for a foolproof cake. Our focus on clear instructions makes this one of the best easy baking recipes for home cooks of all skill levels.
Mixing the Batter
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Baking to Perfection
Next, alternate adding the dry ingredient mixture and the milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined—be careful not to overmix! Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool completely before adding any toppings.
The perfect vanilla cake, ready for any seasonal twist.
Seasonal Variations: A New Cake for Every Season
This is where our year-round baking recipes truly come to life. Use the vanilla cake as your base and customize it with these simple, seasonal additions.
Spring: Lemon & Blueberry Zing
Add the zest of one lemon to the batter along with the sugar. Gently fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the finished batter before baking. Once cooled, top with a simple lemon glaze. For another fruity treat, try these Lemon Cookie Bars.
Summer: Strawberry Shortcake Style
Once the cake has cooled, top it with sweetened whipped cream and fresh, sliced strawberries. This creates a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for summer gatherings. If you love strawberries, these Strawberry Crumble Snack Bars are a must-try.
Fall: Apple Cinnamon Crumble
Before baking, top the batter with a simple crumble made from flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter. You can also fold 1 cup of finely diced apples into the batter for extra autumn flavor. It’s as cozy as these Apple Cinnamon Muffins.
Winter: Cranberry Orange Bliss
Add the zest of one orange to the batter with the sugar. Fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries. The tart cranberries and bright orange create a festive flavor perfect for the colder months.
Pro Tips for Perfect Vanilla Cake, Every Time
Even the simplest recipes benefit from a few expert tips. Here’s how to ensure your year-round baking is always a success.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This is non-negotiable for a smooth, emulsified batter. Cold ingredients can cause the batter to curdle and result in a dense cake.
Don’t Overmix: Mix the flour until it’s just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your cake tough instead of tender.
Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off. Scooping directly from the bag can pack the flour, resulting in a dry cake.
A great year-round baking recipe uses common pantry staples as its base and can be easily adapted with seasonal ingredients. Our vanilla cake is the perfect example—it’s delicious on its own but can be customized with spring berries, summer fruit, autumn spices, or winter citrus.
Yes, absolutely! This batter works beautifully for cupcakes. Simply line a muffin tin with paper liners and fill them about 2/3 full. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
For the best results, avoid scooping the measuring cup directly into the flour bag. This compacts the flour, leading to a dry cake. Instead, use a spoon to fluff the flour in its container, then spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge.
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’ve topped it with whipped cream or a cream cheese frosting, it should be refrigerated.
While we have not tested a gluten-free version, you can likely substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum. The texture may be slightly different but should still be delicious.
The Only Baking Recipe You’ll Ever Need
With this endlessly adaptable vanilla cake, you’re ready for any occasion. These year-round baking recipes prove that one great foundation is all you need to create a world of delicious possibilities. We hope you love making this cake as much as we do! Share your creations with us on Pinterest.
Your go-to guide for delicious baking, no matter the season!
Any-Season Vanilla Bean Cake Squares
FL Recipes
Year-Round Baking Recipes: The Ultimate Any-Season Vanilla Cake
The ultimate guide to year-round baking recipes! This simple, adaptable vanilla bean cake is the perfect base for any season, offering endless variations for delicious, homemade treats anytime.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
Beat in the room temperature eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Reduce the mixer speed to low. Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk in two parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix only until the last streaks of flour disappear. Do not overmix.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting, adding toppings, or slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 280kcalProtein: 4gFat: 15gFiber: 1g
Notes
Ingredient Temperature is Key: Using room temperature butter, eggs, and milk is crucial for a smooth batter and a tender, fluffy cake. Storage: Store the cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. Variations: See the blog post for simple and delicious seasonal variations including lemon blueberry, apple cinnamon, and cranberry orange.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
