Berry Vanilla Cake
It’s been more years than I like to admit since I was in school looking forward to summer break, yet I still find myself wanting to take a long break and fill my days with all the fun things I’ve been tabling in favor of getting more work done.
But the reality is that isn’t happening, so I find ways to simplify instead and make a little extra time for myself. If you’re in favor of that plan, too, then you’re going to love this cake. It’s a simple way to enjoy fresh berries with a good dose of vanilla. And it’s so pretty that it doesn’t need a frosting or a glaze. Just add a little whipped cream!
While this cake doesn’t need a topping, I just can’t resist adding a sprinkle of sanding sugar to the top of it before baking. It’s such an easy way to add a little bit of sparkle and an extra sweet bite. It’s completely optional, but frequent BoB readers will know that it’s one of my favorite extra touches.
The cake itself is a version of a traditional white cake. It uses egg whites instead of whole eggs for a lighter color. And I like to whip the egg whites and fold them into the batter for a little fluffier texture.
You can, of course, use your favorite mix of berries or just use one kind. You can let the flavors change as the season progresses and other berries become available. If you use larger berries like strawberries, I recommend quartering them so that they’re about the size of smaller berries like raspberries.
This lovely cake is just the dessert for celebrating berry season. It’s full of such amazing flavor and beautiful color! And it’s simple enough to whip up that you may find that it becomes a staple dessert of the season.
Berry Vanilla Cake
Yield: 18 servings
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 & 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
- 3 large egg whites
- 2 cups assorted berries*
- sanding sugar, optional
- sweetened whipped cream, for serving
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9"x 13"x 2" baking pan.**
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low. Add the flour in 3 portions, alternating with 2 portions of milk. Mix just until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites to stiff peaks. Gently fold into the cake batter.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Scatter the berries over the top of the batter. If you like, sprinkle sanding sugar over the top of the cake and berries.
- Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until the cake has browned and a pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan before serving.
Love this! I go crazy buying berries in the summer and I LOVE to use them in desserts – I can tell myself it’s a healthy dessert then 🙂 Thanks for sharing – looks great!
Hi Jennifer!
This looks like another delicious cake…..all of your recipes are great! Do you think this cake could be made with a crumb topping? I won’t be able to take whipped cream to the place I’m bringing it so I was just wondering.
Hope you’re having a great summer!
Hi, Marianne. You can certainly add a crumb topping if you like. Something like this one would work.
Thanks so much for the quick reply and crumb idea. The cake in your suggestion has been a huge hit when I’ve baked it. Thanks again for your help!
I added rhubarb in place of Strawberries (allergy), and it was a success.
Wonderful recipe!! It was a hit with the whole family especially the teens. Is it ok next time to use frozen berries?:) thank you!
Hi, Lindsey. You can use frozen berries. I would thaw, rinse, and dry them so they’re less likely to bleed their colors.
Jennifer! I Just made the berry vanilla cake my July 4th dinner tomorrow. Well you just know I couldn’t wait till tomorrow to taste it, so I sliced off a long skinny piece at one end, added a little whipped cream, and I am in heaven. I did not need to grease the parchment paper. It worked perfectly without it, and Next time I would use even more more berries. I had to order sanding sugar online, because my local grocery, Publix, does not carry it. Excellent recipe moist, fluffy, beautiful cake. You are my hero Jennifer. I love your recipes.
Thank you, Joan! I’m glad you enjoyed the cake for your holiday celebration.
not to be that person on a recipe blog, but I made it with wild blackberries, changed the vanilla to about a tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice, and used about a half cup less of sugar (because I forgot to write down how much sugar there was and guessed wrong) and it turned out amazing
It’s great to hear that it’s so versatile, Meg! 😉