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Decadent French Vanilla Bean Layer Cake Recipe Easy Homemade Frosting

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A rich and indulgent French vanilla bean layer cake with creamy homemade frosting, perfect for special occasions or a comforting treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 vanilla bean pod, split and seeds scraped
  • For the Frosting:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 vanilla bean pod, split and seeds scraped
  • 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • ¼ tsp fine sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch cake pans with butter and lightly dust with flour or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 ½ tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter with 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add 4 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then add 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract and the scraped seeds from 1 vanilla bean pod.
  5. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add the dry flour mixture in three additions, alternating with 1 cup whole milk, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix just until combined.
  6. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, then turn out onto cooling racks to cool completely before frosting.
  8. For the frosting, beat 1 cup softened butter with the scraped seeds from 1 vanilla bean pod until smooth. Gradually add 4 cups sifted powdered sugar, beating on low speed.
  9. Add 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream and ¼ tsp salt. Beat on high until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Adjust cream quantity for preferred consistency.
  10. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting evenly over the top. Add the second cake layer and frost the top and sides smoothly.
  11. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to let the frosting set. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Notes

If cake browns too fast, tent with foil halfway through baking. Use room temperature eggs and butter for best results. Sift powdered sugar for smooth frosting. Chill cake before slicing for cleaner cuts. Vanilla bean pods can be saved for homemade vanilla sugar.

Nutrition

Keywords: French vanilla cake, vanilla bean cake, layer cake, homemade frosting, easy vanilla cake, birthday cake, potluck dessert

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/decadent-french-vanilla-bean-layer-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-frosting/