Restless Chipotle

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
×
  • Overhead view of pickles in a white bowl
    Sweet Heat Refrigerator Pickles
  • A basket full of garlic breadsticks.
    How to Make Soft Garlic Breadsticks`
  • A peaches and cream icebox pie with a serving removed to show the layers.
    Peach Icebox Pie
  • A square of strawberry shortcut cake being served from a spatula.
    Strawberry Shortcut Cake
  • A cropped view of this recipe in a glass bowl for the feature image.
    Old Fashioned Banana Pudding
  • Closeup of fried chicken on a plate.
    Why Do Southerners Put Buttermilk in Everything?
  • Overhead view of finished crockpot chicken bog in the crockpot.
    Crockpot Chicken Bog
  • Overhead view of the finished grapefruit cake on a white cake plate.
    Texas Ruby Red Grapefruit Bundt Cake
  • Overhead view of skillet with finished cabbage in it. Feature image.
    Creamed Cabbage
  • Bright green cocktail in a clear glass.
    Hammered Hulk Cocktail – A Bold, Green Drink for St. Patrick’s Day
  • Closeup of pimento cheese balls for feature image.
    Crispy Fried Pimento Cheese Balls
  • A crunchy topped casserole with a serving spoon in it.
    Pineapple Casserole
Home » Recipes » Layer Cakes

Buttermilk Cake Recipe

Published: Jun 27, 2024 · Updated: Jan 31, 2025 by Marye

This homemade buttermilk cake recipe is also called white velvet cake. It's an easy, from scratch layer cake that's fluffy and moist with a velvety, tender vanilla crumb.
Total time for the recipe to be finished.Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Jump to Recipe
Closeup of a slice of cake.
Slice of cake on a white plate with text overlay for Pinterest.

Looking for a moist, delicious, and easy cake that will become an instant favorite? This vintage buttermilk cake recipe is perfect for any occasion!

The tangy buttermilk adds incredible flavor and ensures a tender crumb, making every bite pure bliss. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is simple enough for everyone.

Be sure to check out the chart for pan-size substitutions.

A slice of buttermilk layer cake on a plate.
Table of Contents
  • This recipe is a keeper
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 📖 Variations
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🍴 Equipment
  • How to convert baking pan sizes
  • 🥫 How to store leftover buttermilk cake
  • Marye's Tip o' the day
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Repurpose leftovers
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Buttermilk Cake
  • 💬 Comments

Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.

This recipe is a keeper

5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
I just made this cake & used a buttermilk cream cheese frosting. It was all delicious. The cake was beautiful, rose up very nicely with moist, soft crumb. I followed the directions exactly. My family loves it. This recipe is a keeper. I like it because of the soft texture & not too sweet. It's nice when a new recipe comes together. Thanks for sharing.
Linda

🗝️ Key takeaways

  • I love how moist and tender this buttermilk cake is! It's incredibly flavorful and easy to make.
  • This one is a classic for birthdays, family get-togethers, or just a cozy night at home. It's versatile enough for any event (or non-event!)!
  • Buttermilk enhances the vanilla flavor and makes cake layers tall and fluffy.

This is the best cake ever as far as a recipe that will handle literally any situation!

Buttermilk gives this old-fashioned layer cake a dense, tender crumb that's almost velvety. The texture of the cake is exceptional.

It's the moistest cake I've ever had. Well, except for maybe this banana layer cake.

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Labeled ingredients for this recipe.

📖 Variations

  1. Lemon buttermilk cake: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter and use 1 teaspoon of lemon flavoring instead of vanilla extract for a lemon buttermilk cake.
  2. Chocolate chip buttermilk cake: Fold in 1 cup of mini chocolate chips before baking for a delightful chocolatey surprise.
  3. Coconut buttermilk cake: Mix in 1 cup of shredded coconut for a tropical flair. Use 1 teaspoon of coconut flavoring and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
  4. Very vanilla: Add the inside of one vanilla bean pod for more vanilla flavor.
  5. Wedding cake: I like to add about ½ teaspoon of almond flavoring to make it more of a wedding cake flavor.
  6. Berry good: Try it with the creamy whipped strawberry cream cheese frosting from this strawberry sheet cake recipe.
  7. Very bold: Or, go bold with this cookies and cream cake filling.
  8. Gluten free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure it includes xanthan gum for the best texture. Double-check the remaining ingredients for gluten.

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.

Creaming butter and sugar in the mixer.

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla then add ⅓ of the flour.

Buttermilk is being added to the mixer bowl.

Mix well and add the buttermilk. Repeat, ending with the remaining flour.

Unbeaten egg whites being added to the mixer.

Add the egg whites and beat.

Cake batter is separated into 3 cake pans and ready to bake.

Divide cake batter evenly between three 8-inch layer cake pans and bake according to the instructions in the green recipe card below.

🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up -

For an extra moist cake, try brushing a simple syrup (boil equal parts sugar and water until sugar dissolves) over the layers after baking and before frosting.

zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive

🍴 Equipment

  1. mixing bowls
  2. whisk
  3. electric mixer
  4. baking pans
  5. wire rack

How to convert baking pan sizes

IMPORTANT: Always test for doneness about 5 minutes before the recipe time. Allow extra time in case it takes a bit longer. Lots of factors can determine baking time.

Pan size/YieldOven tempOven time
(2) 8-inch rounds350F30-35 minutes
(2) 9-inch rounds350 F30-35 minutes
(2) 8 -inch squares350F30-35 minutes
(1) 9-inch square350F30-40 minutes
13x9-inch pan350F20-25 minutes
(24) Cupcakes375F15-20 minutes
(1) 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf325F40 - 50 minutes

🥫 How to store leftover buttermilk cake

Unfrosted

You can wrap the unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap and store for 2 days at room temperature or freeze for up to 3 months.

Frosted

Once frosted it should be fine at room temperature for up to 5 days - depending on the frosting you use. I've never had one last that long - they usually disappear by day two!

If you've got slices just pop them in an airtight container.

You can also slice the cake up and place in a cake storage container with waxed paper or parchment between the slices. Freeze for up to 3 months.

That way you can just grab a slice at a time.

Overhead view of the cake.

Marye's Tip o' the day

Make sure everything is at room temperature for best results.

💭 Things to know

  1. Don’t overmix the batter; mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  2. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  3. Make sure everything is at room temperature for best results.
  4. Large eggs were used for the egg whites in this recipe.
  5. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl often.
  6. Once the flour goes in be sure to use the low speed of the electric mixer. You don't want to develop the gluten.
  7. Using a parchment paper or wax paper round on the bottom of the cake pan allows you to remove the cake easily.
  8. Use any frosting you like. I used the cream cheese frosting here.
  9. I find it best to start creaming butter and sugar with the paddle attachment and then switch to the whisk attachment to finish it off.
  10. It takes about 7 minutes to cream the butter properly.
  11. This is a very moist cake. If you accidentally overbake and you have a dry cake you can brush it with sugar syrup and that will help moisten it. Just bring ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water to a boil and stir constantly until sugar is dissolved -about 2 minutes. Cool completely and brush on 2 tablespoons per layer.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!

Can I use a different type of flour?

I don't recommend switching the flour. This recipe was developed for use with cake flour. You can make substitute with the instructions in the Types of Flour post here.

What does buttermilk do to cake?

It makes it more tender, helps it rise higher and fluffier, and adds a rich flavor.

Why is my cake dense and rubbery?

If your cake is dense and rubbery you've over-mixed it.

Side view of finished cake showing height.

📚 Related recipes

If you're looking for citrus try this orange layer cake.

  • A slice of lemon layer cake with a fork cutting into it.
    Moist Lemon Layer Cake
  • Banana walnut cake slice with a bite removed.
    Banana Cake with Gooey Walnut Filling
  • A thick layer of white frosting on the whisk attachment of a mixer.
    Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Close up of cut cake showing the layers of cake and frosting.
    Southern Red Velvet Cake
See more Layer Cakes Recipes →

🍽️ Repurpose leftovers

Turn leftover cake into a delicious trifle (or punch bowl cake) by layering it with pudding, whipped cream, and fruit.

Or crumble it over ice cream for a tasty sundae topping.

📞 The last word

This old-fashioned layer cake is moist and velvety with a tender crumb.

It's so full of buttery flavor and just as light and fluffy as can be. I usually use this cream cheese frosting but chocolate frosting is good, too!

Buttermilk cake is also known as white velvet cake. It's perfect for birthdays and celebrations and is the first to go at potlucks and bake sales.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Closeup of a slice of cake.

Mile High Buttermilk Cake Recipe

4.72 from 121 votes
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
This homemade buttermilk cake recipe is also called white velvet cake. It's an easy, from scratch layer cake that's fluffy and moist with a velvety, tender vanilla crumb.
Course Cake
Cuisine American - Vintage
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
Cooling Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Servings:12
Calories:517
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla, I used clear vanilla
  • 2 cups buttermilk, room temperature
  • 6 egg whites, unbeaten, room temperature

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Grease 3 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with a circle of wax paper or parchment. Set aside. (Note - My pans are Wilton with high sides. If you have pans with lower sides you may get 4 layers instead of 3).
  • Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl.
  • Set flour mixture aside.
  • Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Beat in vanilla.
  • Add dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beating well after each addition.
  • Add egg whites and beat at medium speed for two minutes.
  • Divide equally between prepared pans.
  • Bake at 350° for 20 minutes, reduce heat to 325 and bake for 25 minutes more, or until the cake tests done ( a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.)
  • Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out and finish cooling on a wire rack.
  • Fill and frost as desired.

Notes

Storage:
You can wrap the unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap and store for 2 days at room temperature or freeze for up to 3 months.
Once frosted it should be fine at room temperature for up to 5 days - depending on the frosting you use. I've never had one last that long - they usually disappear by day two!
Tips:
  • Make sure everything is at room temperature for best results.
  • Large eggs were used for the egg whites in this recipe.
  • I find it best to start creaming butter and sugar with the paddle attachment and then switch to the whisk attachment to finish it off.
  • It takes about 7 minutes to cream the butter properly.
  • Using a parchment paper or wax paper round on the bottom of the cake pan allows you to remove the cake easily.
You'll find more helpful tips and variations in the body of the post.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 263mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 52g | Vitamin A: 540IU | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

This was originally posted in 2008. I've updated pretty much everything except the original recipe. Last updated June 27, 2024 , for readability and to add more helpful information.

Closeup of a slice of cake.

Save this recipe!

Buttermilk Cake

Pin to your favorite Pinterest board to keep this recipe handy.

Pin it now →

More Layer Cakes Recipes

  • A slice of homemade cake on a plate.
    Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
  • A slice of yellow layer cake with chocolate fudge frosting on a white plate.
    Classic Yellow Cake Recipe
  • A slice of the cake on a white plate.
    Burnt Sugar Fudge Cake with Peanut Butter Mousse
  • A slice of cake on a plate.
    How to Make Chantilly Cake with Fresh Strawberries

Love it? Share it!

6.5K shares
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard

About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

Comments

    4.72 from 121 votes (62 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




  1. Elaine says

    April 27, 2025 at 6:48 pm

    5 stars
    This is the best white cake I ever made! Thank you for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
  2. Linda U says

    June 02, 2024 at 1:53 pm

    5 stars
    I just made this cake & used a buttermilk cream cheese frosting. It was all delicious. The cake was beautiful, rose up very nicely with moist, soft crumb. I followed the directions exactly. My family loves it. This recipe is a keeper. I like it because of the soft texture & not too sweet. It's nice when a new recipe comes together. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Marye says

      June 02, 2024 at 3:08 pm

      Thank you so much Linda! Glad to hear it!

      Reply
« Older Comments
Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

Welcome to my kitchen! ☕

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

Find out more

🍉 Memorial Day

  • Overhead view of potato salad in a glass bowl
    Mom's Homemade Potato Salad

  • Overhead view of the finished watermelon basket filled with an assortment of fruit.
    How to Make a Watermelon Basket

  • Closeup of a finished hamburger in a bun.
    Retro Lipton Onion Soup Burger (Vintage Recipe)

  • Closeup of a star shaped cake covered in white chocolate with red and blue sprinkles.
    Zebra Cake Recipe: Little Debbie Copycat

🧢 Father's Day

  • Close up of chicken breast that's been grilled.
    Awesome Grilled BBQ Chicken Breast Wrapped in Bacon

  • Closeup image of sausage cheese dip.
    Rotel Sausage Dip

  • Closeup overhead view of the macaroni salad in a bowl with a spoon in it for serving.
    BBQ Macaroni Salad Texas Style

  • Close up of a piece of cake.
    Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

👑 Reader Favorites

  • Square overhead of chicken for feature image.
    Slow Cooker Angel Chicken

  • Close up of the sauce showing the creamy texture.
    Copycat Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe

  • Wooden spatula removing fried potatoes out of iron skillet.
    Crispy Pan Fried Potatoes

  • Blue cocktail with a red and white straw.
    Sex in the Driveway Cocktail

  • A sliced loaf of english muffin bread.
    Easy English Muffin Bread Recipe – Perfect for Toasting (No Kneading!)

  • Two finished loaves of Amish white bread cooling on a table.
    No-Fail Amish White Bread

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • About Marye Audet-White
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Contact
MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

Featured In:

Places Restless Chipotle has been featured

We improve our products and advertising by using Microsoft Clarity to see how you use our website. By using our site, you agree that we and Microsoft can collect and use this data. Our privacy statement has more details.

Copyright ©2006 - 2025 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.