Quick Description
This Classic Vanilla Frosted Loaf Cake is rich, tender, and buttery with a fine, soft crumb and a thick layer of smooth vanilla frosting on top. It’s simple, elegant, and exactly the kind of cake you slice “just one more piece” of. Perfect for tea time, dessert, or gifting.
Servings & Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 50–55 minutes
- Cooling Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes
- Servings: 8–10 slices
🧁 Ingredients
Vanilla Loaf Cake
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup milk (or buttermilk for extra softness)
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
Vanilla Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp milk or cream
- Pinch of salt
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Pan
- Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F
- Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Set aside
3. Cream Butter & Sugar
- Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes)
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well
- Mix in vanilla extract
4. Combine Batter
- Add dry ingredients in two parts, alternating with milk
- Mix just until smooth — do not overmix
5. Bake
- Pour batter into prepared pan
- Smooth the top
- Bake 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean
- If browning too fast, tent loosely with foil
6. Cool
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes
- Transfer to rack and cool completely before frosting
🍥 Frosting Instructions
- Beat butter until creamy
- Add powdered sugar gradually
- Add vanilla, salt, and milk
- Beat until smooth, thick, and spreadable
7. Frost & Serve
- Spread frosting generously on cooled loaf
- Optional: pipe small peaks like in the image
- Slice thick and serve
✨ Texture & Flavor Notes
✔ Soft, fine crumb
✔ Moist but not dense
✔ Sweet, creamy frosting
✔ Classic vanilla bakery flavor
🔁 Tips & Variations
- Add lemon zest for a citrus twist
- Replace milk with sour cream for extra richness
- Turn into a lemon or almond loaf easily
- Skip frosting and dust with powdered sugar for a lighter version
🧊 Storage
- Room temperature: 2 days
- Refrigerated: 4–5 days
- Freezes well (unfrosted)
❤️ Why You’ll Love It
This is the kind of cake that looks simple — but tastes unforgettable. Soft, comforting, and timeless.
