Easy mini vanilla cake recipe for one or two! This small vanilla cake recipe with oil is great for small groups and special occasions -- perfect as a mini birthday cake recipe! And you can make this mini vanilla cake recipe without buttermilk! You'll love this mini cake recipe!
Spray a 6-inch cake pan with baking spray and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
baking spray
In a large bowl, whisk together egg, vanilla, and sugar until well combined and thickened.
1 large egg, 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ½ cup granulated sugar
Whisk in oil, followed by buttermilk, until smooth.
3 tablespoon vegetable oil, ⅓ cup buttermilk
Sift in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Fold into batter with a rubber spatula until just barely combined.
¾ cup cake flour, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, ⅛ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt
Pour into cake pan. Drop cake in pan from 3 inches onto counter to get rid of any air bubbles.
Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick entered into the cake comes out clean.
Prepare Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
In a bowl, beat softened butter for one minute until it’s light and fluffy.
½ cup salted butter
Gradually add in powdered sugar, followed by vanilla and beat until smooth.
2 cups powdered sugar, 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Add cream a little at a time and beat until you have the desired consistency.
2 tablespoon heavy cream
Add a pinch or two of salt, if desired and beat to combine. Spread over cooled cake.
salt
Video
Notes
Buttermilk substitute: If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute ⅓ cup of whole milk with 1 teaspoon of the milk replaced with vinegar.Make ahead: This is a quick and easy small vanilla cake recipe, but you can still save time by making it ahead and freezing the fully frosted cake! Freeze for 3-4 hours unwrapped to set the icing, and then wrap in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and return to freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw on counter still wrapped.Cake Flour Substitute: If you don't have cake flour, you can make a substitute to use for this mini vanilla cake! All you need is all-purpose flour and corn starch. Just measure out ¾ cup of all-purpose flour and replace 1 ½ teaspoon of it with cornstarch. In grams, it'll be 91 grams of all-purpose flour sifted with 4 grams of cornstarch.