Here is a Soft and Fluffy Vanilla Sponge Cake recipe with clear, detailed directions—perfect for layer cakes, birthdays, or served plain with tea. This cake is light, moist, and rises beautifully.
🍰 Soft & Fluffy Vanilla Sponge Cake
Yield: 1 round 8-inch (20 cm) cake or two 6-inch layers
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 30–35 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
INGREDIENTS
Dry Ingredients
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1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
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1½ tsp baking powder
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¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
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¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
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3 large eggs (room temperature)
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½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil or melted butter
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½ cup (120 ml) milk (room temperature)
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1½ tsp vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
1️⃣ Prepare the Pan & Oven
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Preheat oven to 170°C / 340°F.
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Grease cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
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Lightly dust sides with flour and tap out excess.
2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients
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Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together.
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Set aside.
Tip: Sifting adds air, helping the cake stay fluffy.
3️⃣ Whip Eggs & Sugar
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In a large bowl, add eggs and sugar.
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Beat with a hand or stand mixer on high speed for 4–5 minutes.
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Mixture should become pale, thick, and tripled in volume.
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When lifted, the batter should fall in a ribbon and sit briefly on the surface.
This step is key for a light sponge.
4️⃣ Add Liquids
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Reduce mixer speed to low.
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Slowly add oil (or butter), then milk.
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Mix just until combined.
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Add vanilla extract.
5️⃣ Fold in Dry Ingredients
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Add dry ingredients in 2–3 batches.
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Gently fold using a spatula with a cut-and-fold motion.
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Stop as soon as no dry flour remains.
Do not overmix or the cake will be dense.
6️⃣ Bake
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Pour batter into prepared pan.
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Tap pan gently to release air bubbles.
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Bake for 30–35 minutes.
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Cake is done when:
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Top is lightly golden
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A toothpick inserted comes out clean
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Cake springs back when touched
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7️⃣ Cool
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Remove cake from oven.
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Let cool in pan for 10 minutes.
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Turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely before frosting or slicing.
✨ PRO TIPS FOR EXTRA SOFTNESS
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Use room-temperature ingredients
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Beat eggs and sugar properly—this creates the structure
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Measure flour accurately (spoon and level)
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Do not open oven door before 25 minutes
🎂 VARIATIONS
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Lemon Sponge: Add zest of 1 lemon
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Chocolate Sponge: Replace ¼ cup flour with cocoa powder
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Milk Sponge: Brush baked cake with warm milk + sugar
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Layer Cake: Slice horizontally and fill with whipped cream or jam
🍽️ SERVING IDEAS
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Dust with powdered sugar
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Fill with fresh cream and fruit
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Frost with buttercream or ganache