• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

One Hot Oven

  • Home
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Cooking Tips
You are here: Home / Recipe Index / Easy Vanilla Cake In A Skillet

Easy Vanilla Cake In A Skillet

February 2, 2020 By Jere Cassidy 24 Comments

Sharing is caring!

276shares
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

If you haven’t tried baking a cake in a cast-iron skillet you must try this recipe for Easy Vanilla Cake In A Skillet, it is a recipe near and dear to my heart.

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

“from grandma’s kitchen”

sliced vanilla cake

This page may contain affiliate links, please see my full DISCLOSURE for policy details.

I learned to bake in my grandmother’s farmhouse kitchen.  From the window, you could see her vegetable garden and the barn beyond.  Her cast iron skillet had a permanent place on the stove.  My grandmother was a busy woman, so recipes had to be easy and tasty.  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 is a small cake recipe that is easy enough to bake midweek for a quick dessert, no layering or frosting required and you get six delicious slices. Another delicious skillet cake is this Maple Apple Cake that is filled with fresh apples and bakes golden brown.

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, brownies, 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 needed. Just think of melting the butter and brown sugar for a pineapple upside-down cake.
  • There is nothing 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.

Make sure to 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

  1. Butter – Adds a depth of flavor
  2. Sugar – With the butter and sugar beaten together you will get a nice buttery tender crumb
  3. Milk – Acts as a sweetener, it adds moistness to the cake and creates a nice golden  brown crust
  4. Flour – this builds structure to the cake
  5. Baking powder – the makes the cake rise
  6. Salt – this adds flavor
  7. Egg whites – this will make your cake fluffy
  8. Vanilla Bean – flavor, flavor, and more flavor
  9. Powdered Sugar & Cinnamon – a little sprinkling on top of the cake for a sweet flavor

How to Make a Vanilla Skillet Cake From Scratch

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 the bean into two pieces, and scraping the seeds out with a knife.

 

 Two Vanilla BeansMadagascar Vanilla Beans 

Step 2. Next measure out the 1 1/4 cups of sugar, put that into a bowl and put all the scraped vanilla bean seeds into the sugar.  Now, 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 distributes them.

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

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

Step 5. Add 1/4 cup milk to the butter/sugar mixture and then add  1/2 cup of the flour mixture. Keep adding the milk and flour scraping the sides of the bowl.

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

Step 7. Prepare a 10″ cast iron skillet or a 10″ cake pan with cooking spray and flour the bottom. 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 over-browning and doneness.

cake batter in a cast iron 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

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 whenever I am 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 with your fingers. Doing this releases the oil in the flavorings and that 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 are what help make a baked product have a lighter texture with a more tender crumb.

Do not overmix cake batter– Overmixing just leads to a dense and chewy texture which just 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, 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 1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla or 1 vanilla bean = 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste.

vanilla skillet cake

Next time you are craving a simple and delicious dessert,  bake this luscious cake that lets the flavor and aroma of the vanilla bean stand out. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Don’t forget to Pin to your favorite dessert board.

Other delicious One Hot Oven recipes

Spiced Apple Cider Oatmeal Bread is full of plump oatmeal for a hearty apple-flavored bread.

Cherry Apricot Upside Down Cake that bakes up golden brown and tender with amazing fruit flavors.

cake slice
Print Pin
4.3 from 17 votes

Easy Vanilla Cake in a Skillet

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.
Prevent your screen from going dark
Course Cake
Cuisine American
Keyword How to make a cake in a skillet
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6
Calories 478kcal
Author Jere Cassidy

Equipment

10 inch Iron Skillet
Red KitchenAid Mixer
Kitchenaid Mixer
Fine mesh sifter

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups AP flour
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 4 tsp. Baking powder
  • 4 egg whites
  • 1 Vanilla bean, seeded
  • 1/4 cup Powdered sugar
  • 1/2 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 1/4 cup of milk to the butter/sugar mixture then add 1/2 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 1/2 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 slice | Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 80.2g | Protein: 6.9g | Fat: 15.8g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 523mg

a serving of cake

Have you ever run out of an ingredient while making a recipe? It happens all the time. Make sure to save this valuable guide on Recipe Ingredient Substitutions 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.

Have any questions or just want to chat about the recipe? Contact me here, and I’ll be happy to help!

One Hot Oven Logo

Filed Under: All Time Favorites, Cakes, Recipe Index

Previous Post: « How to Make an Easy Shortcrust Tart Dough
Next Post: Orange Cranberry Scones with Sweet Orange Topping »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ryan

    November 12, 2020 at 12:34 am

    You have brought up a very good details, thank you for the post.

    Reply
  2. Ronak Mehta

    September 14, 2020 at 11:36 pm

    5 stars
    The cake looks perfect and fabulous to bake for a special day. Yes, its definitely the best vanilla cake. Lovely!!

    Reply
    • Jere Cassidy

      September 17, 2020 at 8:35 pm

      Thanks, it is amazing how such a simple recipe makes such a tasty cake.

      Reply
  3. Chris

    June 28, 2020 at 2:28 pm

    5 stars
    Love this cake! Awesome with fresh sliced strawberries!

    Reply
    • Jere Cassidy

      June 30, 2020 at 11:06 am

      I agree, this cake is perfect with strawberries.

      Reply
  4. Marthana Sharp

    June 6, 2020 at 5:31 pm

    5 stars
    We love this cake, what a great recipe filled with the simple flavor from that vanilla bean. I love using the cast-iron skillet and this sponge cake came out such a pretty golden brown. So glad to find any easy to make cake that serves a small family an doesn’t require a ton of ingredients.

    Reply
  5. Alena

    May 26, 2020 at 6:26 am

    5 stars
    I love that you use real vanilla bean in this recipe instead of vanilla extract. I feel like the flavor is so much more intense and delicious that way!

    Reply
    • Jere Cassidy

      May 26, 2020 at 7:59 pm

      I’ve made this cake with just vanilla extract and the vanilla bean really adds so much better flavor

      Reply
  6. Ramona

    May 21, 2020 at 1:48 pm

    5 stars
    This skillet cake looks truly amazing, so fluffy and delicious. I love using my skillet – it is amazing what you can do with it. This cake is on the list to making now fairly urgent. My husband will absolutely love it too. Thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Jacqui DeBono

    May 17, 2020 at 7:26 pm

    5 stars
    I love how much you make in your Grandmother’s skillet! I would never think to make a cake in a skillet. I really like the use of vanilla in this recipe too, I think it really makes a difference to the taste!

    Reply
    • Jere Cassidy

      May 19, 2020 at 8:49 am

      I truly love this skillet, it sits on top of my stove all the time.

      Reply
  8. Gail Montero

    May 17, 2020 at 7:11 pm

    5 stars
    Wowza! This cake has the perfect crumb and texture and looks so moist too! I’d love a slice or two with my morning cuppa! Pinned.

    Reply
    • Jere Cassidy

      May 19, 2020 at 8:50 am

      I agree, the crumb of this cake is perfect, nice and tender but not super fluffy.

      Reply
  9. Sondra Barker

    May 16, 2020 at 11:56 pm

    5 stars
    Wow I have never used a skillet to cook a cake, but this looks and sounds delicious!

    Reply
  10. Marta

    May 15, 2020 at 9:19 am

    5 stars
    I don’t think I’ve ever baked a cake in a skillet, but it’s so genius!

    Reply
  11. Julie @ Running in a Skirt

    May 15, 2020 at 6:36 am

    5 stars
    This is gorgeous!! I love how you make this in a skillet and all the flavor in this. What a fabulous cake option. SO tasty.

    Reply
  12. Stine Mari

    May 13, 2020 at 1:34 am

    5 stars
    It looks amazing! Using a real vanilla bean makes a huge difference. Also love that it’s made in a skillet, I need to try this wonderful cake soon.

    Reply
    • Jere Cassidy

      May 19, 2020 at 8:52 am

      I love using vanilla beans, those little seeds add so much flavor.

      Reply
  13. Fred N

    May 12, 2020 at 9:02 pm

    5 stars
    Sponge cake sounds so good right now, I might need to get one more thing to make this happen. We’re loaded on almost everything except the powdered sugar. This is one of the reasons I love collaborating with fellow food bloggers because you get to exchange creative Ideas. Thanks for sharing Jere!

    Reply
    • Jere Cassidy

      May 19, 2020 at 8:53 am

      I agree, that is why I love to read your recipes too. They are so different than what I cook and all your ingredients are new to me.

      Reply
  14. AK

    March 21, 2020 at 6:03 pm

    The recipe lists milk as an ingredient, but where in the instructions do you add it in?

    Reply
    • Jere Cassidy

      March 21, 2020 at 7:02 pm

      Dang, I added that in the post instructions and left it off in the recipe card. You add the milk after you beat the butter and sugar. The recipe card is updated and I totally apologize for that omission.

      Reply
    • AK

      March 25, 2020 at 5:28 am

      This turned out OK. I just couldn’t follow the instructions regarding mixing as they were written because that’s just not how you mix to combine cake ingredients. I creamed The butter and sugar then added the eggs. I alternated adding the dry mixture and the milk in a few different batches until just combined.
      The cake had a large crumb and tasted very buttery (which is never a terrible thing). My friend said she’d have wondered whether it was a cornmeal based cake based on the crumb alone.

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        March 25, 2020 at 7:10 pm

        Ak, I am sorry the cake didn’t turn out for you. Since this is a sponge cake make sure to add the eggs at the end of the recipe and that should help.

        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Jere Cassidy owner of One Hot Oven

Connect with One Hot Oven

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome, I am Jerè

the baker at One Hot Oven. 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. It is important to gather your family and friends around the table over delicious food, great conversation, joy, and laughter. Let’s bake something wonderful.

Your Favorites

Canning bread and butter pickles

Crispy Sweet Bread and Butter Pickles

Raspberry Sprinkle Cookies with a cup of tea.

Raspberry Sprinkle Cookies

Grilled Cherry Pandowdy

Grilled Cherry Pandowdy

pouring syrup on waffles

Overnight Raised Waffles – Crispy & Golden Brown

The One Hot Oven Ebook

Get Your Very Own Copy Of “10 Recipes Every Home Cook Should Have”

Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Do Not Sell My Persoanal Information
  • CCPA
  • ADA Accessibility Statement
A margherita pizza with a beer.

Quick Skillet Pizza with Beer Dough

Craving pizza? Try this Quick Skillet Pizza with Beer Dough. Yes, making dough with beer is a thing and no yeast is required just your favorite beer.  And one more thing, no oven is required. Seriously. You just need a beer and a skillet to make this golden brown crispy and chewy crust Margherita inspired…

Read More

Copyright © 2021 · One Hot Oven | Designed & Maintained By Technology-Therapist