Winter Vanilla Snowflake Cake is a sweet and charming treat perfect for the chilly season. It’s a light vanilla cake dusted with powdered sugar that looks like a blanket of fresh snow, decorated with delicate snowflake shapes that give it a festive touch. The soft texture and gentle vanilla flavor make it a lovely dessert to enjoy with a warm drink.
I love how simple yet special this cake feels, especially when the snowflakes are carefully placed on top. It’s one of those cakes that feels like a little celebration in every bite without being too sweet or complicated. I find that letting it come to room temperature before serving really brings out the vanilla’s best flavor.
This cake is my go-to for winter gatherings because it’s easy to share and always brightens up the table. Sometimes, I serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce to add an extra cozy touch. It’s a sweet reminder that even the coldest days can have a bit of magic and warmth.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- All
- Purpose Flour: This flour gives the cake its tender crumb. You can substitute with a gluten-free blend if needed; just be sure it’s a 1:1 ratio to maintain texture.
- Butter
- Butter adds flavor and moisture. Unsalted butter lets you control salt levels. If you prefer, softened margarine can work but the flavor will be milder.
- Vanilla Extract
- Real vanilla extract adds a warm, natural aroma. If unavailable, vanilla bean paste or vanilla powder can be great alternatives for extra depth.
- Milk
- Whole milk keeps the batter rich and soft. For a lighter cake, use 2% milk or a non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk, which also works well.
- Buttercream Frosting
- Made with powdered sugar and butter, this frosting is smooth and creamy. For dairy-free options, try vegan butter and plant-based milk substitutes.
- Blue Gel Food Coloring
- A little goes a long way to create the frosty ombré effect. You can skip the color if you prefer a classic white cake or use natural coloring like spirulina powder for gentle hues.
- Edible Snowflakes
- Sugar or royal icing snowflakes add festive charm. If they’re hard to find, try simple white fondant cutouts or sprinkle powdered sugar to mimic snow.
How Do You Achieve a Light and Fluffy Vanilla Cake Every Time?
The key is careful mixing and temperature management. Here’s how to get a soft, airy texture:
- Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature; this helps them combine smoothly.
- Cream the butter and sugar well until the mixture is light and fluffy—this traps air that helps your cake rise.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating fully after each to avoid a dense batter.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, starting and ending with dry, mixing gently to avoid overworking the gluten.
- Don’t overmix! Stir just until ingredients are combined; small lumps are fine.
- Use fresh baking powder so your cake rises properly.
- After baking, cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes before removing, then cool fully on racks. This prevents sogginess and keeps layers firm for frosting.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Three 8-inch round cake pans – perfect for baking even layers that stack beautifully.
- Electric mixer or stand mixer – makes creaming butter and sugar easy and smooth.
- Mixing bowls – for combining your dry and wet ingredients separately and mixing frosting.
- Rubber spatula – helps fold ingredients gently and scrape the bowl clean.
- Piping bag with star tip – great for creating those pretty swirls and dollops of frosting.
- Cooling racks – lets the cake layers cool evenly without becoming soggy.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Add lemon zest to the batter for a fresh, bright twist that complements the vanilla well.
- Mix in chopped toasted almonds or pecans for a light crunch and nutty flavor.
- Use cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream for a tangier, richer taste.
- Fold in mini white chocolate chips between layers for little sweet bursts inside the cake.
Winter Vanilla Snowflake Cake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Vanilla Cake:
- 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, at room temperature
For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- Pinch of salt
- Blue gel food coloring (for ombré blue effect)
Decorations:
- Edible white snowflake decorations (sugar or royal icing snowflakes)
- Edible pearl or silver dust for shimmer (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This cake takes about 20 minutes to prepare the batter and frosting, 25-30 minutes baking time per batch, plus chilling the cake to set the frosting for about 30 minutes. Plan for approximately 2.5 hours total including cooling, assembling, and decorating.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cake Layers:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together. In a large bowl, beat softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract. Then alternate adding the flour mixture and milk in three parts, beginning and ending with the flour, mixing just until combined. Split the batter evenly into the pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
2. Make the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, beating on low to combine. Add vanilla extract, salt, and 2 tablespoons of cream or milk. Increase speed and beat for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with more cream or sugar if needed. Set aside about one-third of the frosting and tint it light blue using blue gel food coloring for ombré effect.
3. Assemble the Cake:
Place one cake layer on a serving plate or stand. Spread a generous amount of white vanilla buttercream on top. Repeat with remaining layers. Spread a thin crumb coat of white frosting over the entire cake and chill it for 20 minutes to set.
4. Frost and Decorate:
Apply white buttercream to the top two-thirds of the cake. Apply the light blue frosting to the bottom third, blending upward gently for an ombré look. Pipe swirls and dollops on top with a star-tip piping bag. Decorate the cake with edible snowflake decorations, placing some on top and others on the sides blending in with the blue frosting. Optionally, add a soft shimmer by brushing edible silver dust on the snowflakes.
5. Final Touches:
Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to let the frosting set properly. Before serving, let the cake sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to bring out the best vanilla flavor and a tender texture.
Enjoy your gorgeous and festive Winter Vanilla Snowflake Cake – a sweet centerpiece that will warm any winter gathering!
Can I Use Frozen Cake Layers for This Recipe?
Yes! You can bake the cake layers ahead of time and freeze them. Just wrap each cooled layer tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When ready to use, thaw in the fridge overnight and bring to room temperature before frosting for the best results.
How Can I Make the Frosting Dairy-Free?
Swap the butter for a plant-based vegan butter and use almond, soy, or oat milk instead of heavy cream or milk. The frosting might be slightly different in texture but will still be delicious and creamy.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftover Cake?
Store any leftover frosted cake in an airtight cake container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 4 days. Bring chilled cake back to room temperature before serving to enjoy the best flavor and texture.
Can I Skip the Blue Ombre Effect?
Absolutely! If you prefer, frost the entire cake with plain white buttercream for a classic winter look. The snowflake decorations alone still create a beautiful festive feel.