Classic Mile-High Layer Cake
✨ Cake Details:
Three 8-inch layers (you can stack up to 4 if you’re bold)
Moist, buttery crumb
Rich vanilla flavor (chocolate version below if you want that instead)
Paired with a luscious whipped buttercream
🧁 Vanilla Mile-High Cake Layers
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
6 large eggs, room temp
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups buttermilk (or 1½ cups milk + 1 tbsp vinegar, let sit 5 mins)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (4–5 mins).
Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
Add dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with dry.
Divide batter evenly into pans and bake 25–30 mins, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool completely before frosting.
🍥 Whipped Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp
5–6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1/4 cup heavy cream (or milk)
2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions:
Beat butter on high for 3–5 minutes until pale and fluffy.
Add powdered sugar gradually, beating on low until combined.
Add cream, vanilla, and salt. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 more minutes until super fluffy.
🏗️ Assemble Your Mile-High Cake
Level cake layers if needed.
Place the first layer on a cake board or plate. Add a generous layer of frosting.
Repeat for the second and third layers.
Crumb coat (thin frosting layer), chill 20–30 mins.
Frost the whole cake with a thicker final coat. Smooth with a spatula or leave it rustic and swirly!
Optional: Add a ganache drip, fruit filling between layers, or top with fresh berries, sprinkles, or chocolate shards for height drama.
🍫 Want it Chocolate?
Substitute:
2 2/3 cups flour + 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (instead of 3 cups flour)
Add 1/2 tsp espresso powder for rich depth
Everything else stays the same
Let me know if you want it:
With cream cheese frosting
As a funfetti version
With jam or curd between layers
Or fully over-the-top birthday party style 🎉