Sometimes you just want a no frills cake that's simply delicious, and this Vanilla Loaf Cake fits the bill perfectly. It's a light vanilla sponge, topped with creamy vanilla buttercream and sprinkles. I love vanilla and anything vanilla flavoured - I think it's a pretty universally loved flavour! The most popular ice cream flavour in the world is vanilla, and a big scoop of it would be so yummy with a slice of this cake! This was actually a reader requested recipe - don't forget to let me know if you have any recipe requests! The best way is either in the comments or via my Instagram profile.
How to make a Vanilla Loaf Cake...
To make the sponge I mixed the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy, then I whisked in the eggs and vanilla extract.
I gently whisked in the self raising flour, then poured the mixture into the tin.
It baked for an hour until golden, then I made a vanilla buttercream by mixing butter, icing sugar and vanilla extract together.
Tips for making the Vanilla Loaf Cake:
- I decorated the cake with vanilla buttercream, but you could make some icing with icing sugar and vanilla extract and/or water, and drizzle it over instead for an even simpler decoration.
- It's really important to use good quality vanilla extract for the perfect natural vanilla flavour. Avoid using essence as it's a sythentic flavour and personally I don't think it tastes as good.
- The cake can be frozen without the decoration, wrap it well and freeze for a maximum of 3 months.
Recommended equipment & ingredients*
| Loaf cake tin | Mixing bowls | Cooling rack |
| Kitchen scales | Electric hand mixer | Loaf cake tin liners |
| Piping bags | Round piping nozzle | Funfetti sprinkles |
| Loaf cake storage box |
*I earn a small amount of money if you buy the products after clicking on the links. You will not be charged anything extra for this. Thank you for supporting The Baking Explorer!
More Vanilla recipes...
 |
 |
| Funfetti Vanilla Cupcakes | Vanilla Oreo Cupcakes |
Ingredients
For the sponge
- 200 g Butter or baking spread
- 200 g Caster sugar
- 4 Eggs large
- 200 g Self raising flour
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract (not essence!)
For the buttercream
- 125 g Butter
- 250 g Icing sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract (not essence!)
- 1 tbsp Milk
For decoration (optional)
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 160C Fan/180C/350F/Gas Mark 4 and grease and line a 2lb loaf tin
- Mix together the butter and caster sugar using an electric mixer or a spoon until light and fluffy
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and whisk in until smooth
- Whisk in the flour gently until fully combined
- Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for an hour, or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool fully
- To make the buttercream, use an electric mixer or a spoon to mix together the butter and icing sugar until they start to combine, then add the vanilla extract and mix until smooth
- Put it into a piping bag and pipe it onto the loaf cake, or spread on with a spoon or spatula
- Decorate with sprinkles, if using
- Store in an airtight container in a cool place and eat within 3 days
Video
Nutrition
Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more recipe videos like this!
If you like this, check out more of my Loaf Cake recipes!
Pin it for later!
I'm linking this recipe up with Cook Blog Share hosted by A Strong Coffee.
Michelle Rolfe
Can't beat a simple loaf cake at anytime, perfect with an afternoon cuppa. Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare. Michelle
Rebecca Smith
You definately have a more reserved way of slicing your cake portions hahahaha. This looks lovely and the sprinkles remind me of my childhood too.
Disappointed TT
This cake was really bad for me..it tasted like it was burnt but it looked perfect with a golden-brown hue. Really disappointed TT
Please tell me where I went wrong DX
thebakingexplorer
Hi there, I'm sorry that happened. I'm unsure as to why it would taste burnt if it wasn't actually burnt. Could there be something in the oven causing it? Has this happened with anything else you've cooked in there?
Louise Fairweather
Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing #cookblogshare
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
What a lovely 'easy peasy' cake! And I very much agree with you about vanilla - such a great flavour 😀 Eb x
Nic
Thanks for sharing 🙂 This looks very yummy 🙂
Of Goats and Greens
Looks good, and not hard to create. Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday.
Liz
This is perfect. Although a blank slate it could be modified with other flavorings, and it doesn't sound too rich (I'm don't have much of a sweet tooth). Thank you so much for bringing it to FF.
Acdem
Help, when I just tried this it came out of the oven with a high peak in the middle! Why didn’t it come out all flat like your cake? Thanks.
thebakingexplorer
Hi Acdem, what temperature did you bake the cake on? Your oven may be running hotter than the dial says, I would suggest turning the oven temperature down next time. And check your tin is a 2lb one, if it is smaller then that could be another reason for it peaking so high. I hope that helps!
Navi
This sponge cake is my go to for when I want to make this! I also have made it in a round cake tin, I know the recipe says a loaf tin but I didn’t have one at the time. Amazing recipe. Thank you for sharing this recipe with the world
thebakingexplorer
Thank you Navi for your lovely feedback!
Fairby
Hello, I made your delicious vanilla sponge loaf and it got rave reviews!
It was so light, fluffy and vanillary!
In the past I've never had much success with butter cream but even this was good....
My cake had a raised top too and my piping skills are disastrous so I made fork lines in my butter cream to hold the sprinkles.
I have a photo too so will share it on one of your social media pages....
Thank you x
thebakingexplorer
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback! I think I have seen the photo, thank you so much for sharing!!
Acdem
I just made this cake again, followed the recipe to the letter, and even used an oven thermometer, but still got a peaked top on the cake. Can you please confirm the oven temp - 160 fan?
thebakingexplorer
Hi Acdem, I bake mine on 160C Fan, but all ovens are different. Your oven may run slightly hotter than the dial says (this is very common) so you could try to turn the oven down to 150C Fan next time and bake a little longer. If you want to check your oven temperature you can buy oven thermometers to find out what the real temperature inside is. I wouldn't worry too much about a peak top on this cake though as you can hide it with the buttercream, or you can cut it off if you really don't like it!
Sophie H
Hi
This looks great!
Did you use a 1lb or 2lb loaf tin?
Many Thanks!
thebakingexplorer
Hi Sophie, I used a 2lb loaf tin 🙂
Nathiya
Hi Kat...i have tried vanilla loaf cake and utvturns out delicious...it was moist and fluffy...my family loved it..thank you for the recipe❤❤❤
thebakingexplorer
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback!
Zak
Just finished baking this for a third time. It's honestly so simple yet amazing ! Thank you for sharing. This time though I have split the batter - one half I added coco powder to and made a marble version of this. Thank you again 💙
thebakingexplorer
Hi Zak, I'm so pleased you've been enjoying this recipe! Thank you so much for the lovely feedback 😀
Jody
Best vanilla sponge recipe I have tried x
Hannah
Was looking for an easy to bake cake with my 3 year old and came across this. Perfect to do with him and he loved decorating it. it didn't look as pretty as this but we enjoyed baking it together (and licking the bowl afterwards)!
Jayne Harvey
This loaf Cake is great. I loved the simple vanilla flavour together with the butter icing and the sprinkles took me back to some much loved childhood baking. A nice change from making cupcakes.
thebakingexplorer
Thank you Jayne, I'm so pleased you enjoyed this recipe!
Hannah
Hi Kat, this cake looks so amazing. I’d like to make a smaller version in a 1lb loaf tin so would I be correct in assuming I would just halve the ingredients quantities? Also how long would you suggest I bake it for? Many thanks in advance😊xx
thebakingexplorer
Hi Hannah, thank you! Yes that's right just halve the ingredient quantities. I've not baked in a 1lb tin before, so I'd say to check on it after 25-30 minutes - but only open the door if it looks well risen and a golden crust has developed on top. If it has then you can check with the skewer method. Let me know how it goes!
Charlotte
What a super easy recipe to follow and so versatile allowing you to add your favourite toppings. I’ve made this twice as it’s now my daughters favourite cake so would definitely recommend. Thank you The Baking Explorer 👍🏻
Bee
I made this today and it is so good!
I halved the ingredients and used a 1lb loaf tin and baked it for about 35 minutes. Perfect!
Kelly
Finally I’ve found it; the best vanilla loaf recipe. This will be a staple in my house now. Today I added freeze dried strawberries and coconut to make my loaf cake, it held up well with adding other ingredients and tastes delicious. Simple and magical!
thank you for this.
thebakingexplorer
Wow thank you so much Kelly, this is such lovely feedback!! 😀