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    Home » Recipes » Cakes

    Easy Vanilla Cake In A Skillet

    Published: Feb 2, 2020 · Modified: Jul 13, 2021 by Jere Cassidy · This post may contain affiliate links. · 38 Comments

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    Cake pin for pinterest with text overaly.
    Vanilla cake for Pinterest with text overalay

    Try this Easy Vanilla Cake In A Skillet made with simple ingredients and baked in a cast-iron skillet with a crispy golden-brown crust and a tender vanilla cake on the inside.

    Easy Vanilla Skillet Cake
    Homemade skillet cake

    This page may contain affiliate links; please see my disclosure for policy details.  I earn commissions if you shop through the links on this page.

    If you love vanilla flavor, you will find this cake filled with lots of vanilla bean seeds that create such a glorious flavor. Add a delicate sprinkling of powdered sugar and cinnamon, and top for some added sweetness.

    I learned to bake in my grandmother's farmhouse kitchen. She was busy, so recipes had to be easy and tasty. Her cast iron skillet had a permanent place on the stove.  Needless to say, her  Vanilla Cinnamon Skillet Cake was a staple, and I think it is the best recipe for a simple vanilla cake ever. It wasn't fancy, but it was oh-so-good.

    This small cake recipe is easy enough to bake midweek for a quick dessert; no layering or frosting is required, and you get six delicious slices.

    Jump to:
    • Why use a cast-iron skillet for baking cakes?
    • Simple ingredients
    • How to bake a vanilla skillet cake: Step by step
    •  
    • Cake baking and ingredient tips
    • More skillet recipes
    • Try these recipes next
    • Recipe

    Why use a cast-iron skillet for baking cakes?

    • Cast-iron skillets hold and retain heat very well and allows for even baking, no matter if it is a cake, cobbler, brownie, or even bread. You will find the center of your baked goods is baked evenly throughout.
    • Many times you can use the cast-iron skillet to melt or saute ingredients first before adding more toppings. No extra bowls or pans are needed. Just think of melting the butter and brown sugar for a pineapple upside-down cake.
    • Nothing is better than a well-seasoned iron skillet that creates deliciously crispy bottoms and edges, not hard as a rock crispy, but a nice delicate crispy that adds a caramelized flavor to your baked goods, like the perfect crispy edges on brownies.

    Check out this post on How To Season An Iron Skillet, just in case you need to get your cast iron back in shape or are buying a new one.

    Lodge Skillets are my favorite, and this preseasoned 10.25 Cast-Iron Skillet is exactly what you need for baking this skillet cake. You don't need a lid for cake baking, but for cooking in a cast-iron skillet, I would recommend the lid.

    Lodge Cast Iron Skillet.

    I hear you saying, what if I don't have a cast-iron skillet, that's ok because a lot of people don't have them; after all, they are heavy pieces of kitchen equipment, so instead of a cast-iron,  just use a 10' cake pan and you are good to go.

    Simple ingredients

    Vanilla skillet cake ingredients
    Vanilla cake ingredients
    • Butter - Adds a depth of flavor
    • Sugar - With the butter and sugar creamed together, you will get a nice buttery, tender crumb
    • Milk - Acts as a sweetener; it adds moistness to the cake and creates a nice golden  brown crust
    • Flour - this builds structure to the cake
    • Baking powder - makes the cake rise
    • Salt - this adds flavor
    • Egg whites - this will make your cake fluffy
    • Vanilla Bean - flavor, flavor, and more flavor
    • Powdered Sugar & Cinnamon - a little sprinkling on top of the cake for a sweet flavor

    How to bake a vanilla skillet cake: Step by step

    Step 1. The most important ingredient in this cake is the vanilla bean and my favorite baking trick is to flavor the sugar.  First, you need to cut the vanilla bean open by cutting it in half longways, splitting it into two pieces, and scraping the seeds with a knife.

     

     Two Vanilla BeansMadagascar Vanilla Beans 

    Step 2. Next, measure the 1 ¼ cups of sugar, put that into a bowl, and put all the scraped vanilla bean seeds into the sugar.  Gently stir the sugar and the seeds until the seeds are mixed into the sugar.  Doing this helps release the oils in the seeds and evenly distribute them.

    Step 3. In a large mixing bowl or a stand mixer, add the room-temperature butter and beat for a minute, then add the sugar mixture and beat for two more minutes until it is nice and fluffy.

    Step 4.  Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.

    Step 5. Add ¼ cup of milk to the butter/sugar mixture, and then add  ½ cup of the flour mixture. Keep adding the milk and flour, scraping the sides of the bowl.

    Step 6.  Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites. For this recipe, we are just using egg whites. Lightly beat the egg whites to break them up, add them to the mixing bowl, and beat on medium speed until incorporated.

    Step 7. Prepare a 10" cast iron skillet or a 10" cake pan. Next, pour the batter into the skillet/pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes.  Begin watching the cake at 30 minutes for overbrowning and doneness.

    Cake batter in a cast iron skillet
    Pour the batter into a skillet

    Step 8. Let the cake cool, then with a fine-mesh sifter add the powdered sugar and cinnamon and dust over the top of the cake.

    Sprinkling powdered sugar on top of a vanilla skillet cake
    Sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar

    Cake baking and ingredient tips

    • Why flavor the sugar? I use this technique when making my  Lemon Bundt Cake, and  Orange Bundt Cake and now use it when using nonliquid flavorings like vanilla beans, citrus zest, and lavender, for instance.
    • Simply add the flavorings to the sugar and mix with a spoon or your fingers. Doing this releases the oil in the flavorings and flavors the sugar and it also incorporates the flavoring in a batter more evenly.  I also used this technique to make a sweet topping for my Orange Cranberry Scones.
    • Beating the sugar and room temperature butter until light and fluffy actually creates bubbles in the butter.  This happens when the sugar is beaten into the butter and aerates the butter. These bubbles help make a baked product have a lighter texture with a more tender crumb.
    • Do not overmix cake batter- Overmixing leads to a dense and chewy texture that isn't delightful in cakes.  This also applies to muffin batter, pie crusts, biscuits, and scones. These are items you do not want any of the elastic gluten development; that's what you want in bread dough.
    • When buying vanilla beans, look for shiny, plump, and moist beans. Here is a guide all about vanilla so you can learn about this amazing flavoring.
    • How to store a vanilla bean - Wrap the bean in plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for up to six months.
    • How to scrape a vanilla bean - Cut the bean open lengthwise, then open the bean up to expose the seeds inside. Using the flat side of a paring knife, scrape down the length of the pod to remove the seeds.
    • What if I don't have a vanilla bean - Vanilla beans are expensive and are not used in a lot of recipes so there are options. 1 vanilla bean = 2 ½ teaspoons of pure vanilla or 1 vanilla bean = 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste.

    Next time you crave a simple and delicious dessert, bake this luscious cake that makes the vanilla bean's flavor and aroma stand out. I promise you won't be disappointed.

    Vanilla skillet cake.
    Easy homemade vanilla cake recipe

    More skillet recipes

    • Another delicious skillet cake is this Maple Apple Cake that is filled with fresh apples and bakes golden brown. It's such a delicious fall treat.
    • Bake this Cheddar Cheese Cornbread in an iron skillet to pair with soups and salads.
    • Bake our favorite Upside Down Cake made with cherries and apricots.

    Don't forget to Pin it to your favorite dessert board.

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      Beer Cake
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      Chocolate Fudge Cake
    • Apricot cake with cherries and a green teapot.
      Apricot Cherry Upside Down Cake
    • A slice banana cake roll with icing on top.
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    Recipe

    Vanilla skillet cake slice in a skillet.

    Easy Vanilla Cake in a Skillet

    Jere' Cassidy
    A family favorite this Easy Vanilla cake is baked in a cast-iron skillet. Vanilla beans flavor the inside of this moist and tender cake and a simple sprinkling of powdered sugar and cinnamon top this delicious cake.
    4.82 from 64 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 minutes mins
    Cook Time 35 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Cake
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 478 kcal

    Equipment

    • 10 inch Iron Skillet
    • Kitchenaid Mixer
    • Large fine mesh strainer

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup butter, room temperature
    • 1 ¼ cups sugar
    • 1 cup milk
    • 2 cups AP flour
    • 1 tsp. salt
    • 4 tsp. Baking powder
    • 4 egg whites
    • 1 Vanilla bean, seeded
    • ¼ cup Powdered sugar
    • ½ tsp. Cinnamon

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350° F and spray a 10" cast iron skillet with cooking spray and dust with flour. Optionally you can use a 9" or 10" cake pan.
    • Measure the sugar into a bowl. Next, cut the vanilla bean in half longwise then open it up and scrape the seeds out with the flat side of the knife. Add the seeds to the sugar and thoroughly mix together. Set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl add the room temperature butter and beat for one minute on medium speed.
    • Add the sugar mixture to the bowl and beat for two minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
    • Mix the flour, salt, and baking powder together.
    • Add a ¼ cup of milk to the butter/sugar mixture then add ½ cup of the flour. Keep alternating adding the milk and flour; scrape the bowl occasionally.
    • Put the egg whites in a bowl and lightly beat to break up the whites. Add the beaten egg whites to the bowl and mix until combined. Do not overmix.
    • Pour the batter into the prepared cast-iron skillet or baking pan. Bake for 35 minutes. If the top of the cake is getting too brown cover the cake with aluminum foil. The cake is done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.
    • In a small sifter or fine-meshed strainer add the powdered sugar and cinnamon in layers then sift over the cooled cake.
    • Cover any leftover cake with plastic wrap and keep on the counter for up to two days.

    Notes

    Since ovens vary in temperature make sure to check the top of your cake for over browning.  You may have to lay a piece of foil over the top so it doesn't get too brown.
    Check for doneness at 30 minutes and continue baking for a few minutes more if needed.
    If you are using a cake pan the baking times can vary so check for doneness at 30 minutes.
    How to scrape a vanilla bean - Cut the bean open lengthwise, the open the bean up to expose the seeds inside. Using the flat side of a paring knife, scrape down the length of the pod to remove the seeds.
    What if I don't have a vanilla bean - Vanilla beans are expensive and are not used in a lot of recipes so there are options. 1 vanilla bean = 2 ½ teaspoons of pure vanilla or 1 vanilla bean = 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste.

    Want to try another skillet cake?

    Maple Apple Skillet Cake features a moist vanilla cake topped with sweet apples that bake into the cake batter. This cake is moist and sweetly delicious.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cake sliceCalories: 478kcalCarbohydrates: 80.2gProtein: 6.9gFat: 15.8gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 523mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    A slice of vanilla cake on a white plate.

    Have you ever run out of an ingredient while making a recipe? It happens all the time. Save this valuable guide on Recipe Ingredient Substitution so you never have to run to the store mid-recipe again.

    Thank you for stopping by the One Hot Oven blog.  Please leave a comment to say Hello or just let me know what you are baking these days.

    About Jere'

    From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California,  my passion for food is never-ending.  Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven, sharing both sweet and savory recipes with all my baking friends.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Joanna

      October 23, 2021 at 10:42 am

      5 stars
      This cake seems so easy and sounds delicious. I’ll make it as soon as I invest in a real vanilla bean. I hear it is so superior to the extract.

      Reply
    2. Addie

      July 10, 2021 at 10:57 am

      5 stars
      This cake is stunning! Love that it was made in a skillet.

      Reply
    3. Lara

      July 08, 2021 at 6:51 pm

      5 stars
      I don’t bake often, often too many tools and fussy ingredients. I really like how simple this recipe is, and the use of vanilla bean makes it a must make for me

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        July 29, 2021 at 8:25 pm

        I like unfussy cakes and this is always a favorite.

        Reply
    4. Jeannie

      July 08, 2021 at 4:44 pm

      5 stars
      I love the idea of midweek baking without needing so many tools and that I can also use my skillet. Will give this a try.

      Reply
    5. Alexandra

      July 08, 2021 at 4:03 pm

      5 stars
      This is a simple to prepare cake that is so delicious - perfect served with some whipped cream and berries.

      Reply
    6. Kayla DiMaggio

      July 08, 2021 at 3:26 pm

      5 stars
      This looks absolutely amazing! Skillet cakes are my favorite and so easy to make!

      Reply
    7. Ksenia prints

      July 08, 2021 at 12:11 pm

      5 stars
      Love how easy this cake is to make! I really enjoy cooking in a cast-iron skillet, so this will be super fun to implement.

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        July 29, 2021 at 8:26 pm

        Cast-iron is amazing, I just leave my skillets out on the stove since I use them daily.

        Reply
    8. Audrey

      July 08, 2021 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      I love using my cast iron- this cake was perfect!

      Reply
    9. AISilva

      July 08, 2021 at 11:46 am

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for this vanilla skillet cake. I bake a lot but I've never tried using my cast iron skillet for baking, so this is a really interesting post. The cake itself looks amazing and I love the vanilla and powdered sugar. I'll be trying this out soon!

      Reply
    10. Freya

      July 07, 2021 at 10:21 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great recipe, really flavourful and so simple to prep!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

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    Jere Cassidy owner of One Hot Oven.

    Welcome, I am Jerè. I love sharing recipes both sweet and savory that inspire you to bake at home. Food has a way of bringing us all together, from a simple batch of cookies to a three-tier cake.

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