Our Best Vanilla Cakes and Cupcakes

Forget glitzy sprinkles and elaborate icings. Simplicity is best when it comes to classic vanilla cake. Cover the nostalgic dessert in swirls of pure white frosting made with a special ingredient: sour cream.

Simply classic, these tender vanilla cupcakes are ready to be dressed up with a swirl of creamy frosting and your favorite toppers.

The mellow flavor of vanilla partners with rich almond extract and tart cherry juice in these dreamy pink desserts. Hide a maraschino cherry in the center of each cupcake for a sweet surprise.

Make tea time sweeter with a slice of this luscious vanilla pound cake. We add a splash of sparkling wine to its special homemade glaze to give the cake some crisp flavor.

When it comes to pretty vanilla cakes, ruffles never go out of style. Use a frosting-filled pastry bag to pipe adorable pink ruffles onto this plain Jane cake. Watch here for tips and tricks on how to decorate!

Sour cream frosting makes a luscious topper for cupcakes that get their moist texture from buttermilk. A filling of strawberry jam makes for a sweet surprise.

Tart raspberries and sweet vanilla bean paste offer delightful contrasting tastes for your dessert tray. We combine the two favorites in this jelly-filled stack cake, perfect for potlucks and summer parties.

Irish cream liqueur is stirred into the batter, while ganache frosting and white icing lend a mellow richness to these dark chocolate-vanilla combo cupcakes. Use a toothpick to make the impressive swirls.

The surprise ingredient in this sprinkle-covered vanilla cake? Sweet potatoes! The earthy root veggie helps keep the cake extra moist, while bananas and pineapple add natural sweetness.

Add a splash of chocolate liqueur to fluffy white frosting to take these vanilla cupcakes from simple to sensational. Add raspberries or blackberries for an oh-so-cute topper.

Bright and zippy, this gorgeous vanilla bean cake features delicious fixes of fruit. Fresh orange peel is baked inside, while sugared cranberries and zesty lemon strips top it all off. 

Our vanilla bean Bundt cake -- laced with rum and dusted with powdered sugar -- makes a light and cozy dessert for any occasion. Plus, it's less than 300 calories per serving!

For an elegant dessert, place fresh berries and swirls of buttercream frosting between stacks of soft vanilla cake. Don't forget to drizzle on strawberry jam for extra fruity flavor.