The Best White Velvet Cake

This is the best white velvet cake out there. It is a semi-homemade cake recipe, using a white, box cake mix as a base. There is then the addition of cake ingredients, including sour cream, which I believe contributes to this being the best white velvet cake recipe you will find.

Want another great cake recipe? Check out my red velvet cake.

The Best White Velvet Cake

Note: The best white velvet cake recipe was originally shared in 2012, but It has been updated for better photos and instructions for your convenience.

This is my go-to white cake recipe. It is super simple to make, yet it is far superior to any other white cake I have tried. Funny enough, I have been to parties of friends or family who have served white cake. I loved the cake and was curious about my rival, so I asked, “This is a great cake. Where do you get your recipe?” They then informed me that it was my cake recipe.

One reader who commented on Facebook sent me a picture of a wonderful Mickey Mouse cake she had made for her son. She had this to say, “I made my son’s birthday cake with your white velvet cake recipe layered with mocha frosting. Oh my goodness! This white velvet cake is hands down the best white cake I have ever had! Thanks for the recipe!” You will be glad you tried it too.

I have many people tell me that they are not really a cake person but love this recipe. Paired with my favorite buttercream frosting, you have a win. See below for more pairing options.

If you do try this recipe and love it as much as we do, I would love it if you could leave a review with a star rating. This helps Google recognize the recipe and helps other people find it.

Ingredients needed for this White Velvet Cake

• 1 1/3 cups water
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1/8 tsp salt

How to Make the Best White Velvet Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prepare your pans or cupcake tins. Here is the best way to prepare a cake pan so your cake doesn’t stick. There are a lot of great cake-baking tips in that post.
3. Mix the water, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla using the paddle attachment.
4. Next, add the other four ingredients. Beat with a paddle attachment slowly for 30 seconds and then on high for 2 minutes.
5. Add cake batter evenly to your cake pans or cupcake tins. One tip for getting even cake layers is to weigh your batter. Further, cakes bake more evenly with less of a mound if you use these cake strips (Amazon affiliate link).
6. Bake at 350 on the center rack using the following time guide: 8″ or 9″ round pans or 13″x9″ rectangular pan 23-28 minutes, bundt cake pan 33-36 minutes, and 24 cupcake tin 18-21 minutes.
7. To test for doneness, the cake should bounce back when pressed lightly in the middle. The cake is done when you see that bounce and when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Allow to cool for 15 minutes.

Note: This makes 7.5 cups of batter, filling two 8″ pans over half full. I sometimes double the recipe, and the batter almost halfway fills 2 – 8×2″ pans and 2 – 10×2″ pans. That gives me a great 2 tiered cake with enough cake top to level off.

Cake tip: Before frosting, I always freeze my cakes. This helps lock in your crumbs and makes it easier to do a crumb coat. For more great tips, read this post.

What Pairs Well with White Velvet Cake?

There are so many delicious pairings with this white velvet cake. The possibilities are endless, but here are some of my favorites:

• My Tasty Buttercream Recipe
• Fresh Fruit like what is pictured here: blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are some of my favorites. Here is how you can incorporate berries in frosting.
• Oreo Buttercream Frosting
• Different flavors of Pudding are a good filling. Here’s how to fill a cake with a soft filling.
• Custard fillings like the one found here.
• Peanut Butter Buttercream
• Coffee Buttercream
• Salted Caramel Buttercream

Recipe Card for this White Velvet Cake

The Best White Velvet Cake

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Cooling Time 15 mins

Total Time 50 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Baking

Servings 7.5 cups

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/3 cups water
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1/8 tsp salt

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Prepare your pans or cupcake tins.
• Mix the water, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla using the paddle attachment.
• Next, add the other four ingredients. Beat with a paddle attachment slowly for 30 seconds and then on high for 2 minutes.
• Add cake batter evenly in your cake pans or cupcake tins. One tip for getting even cake layers is to weigh your batter. Bake at 350 on the center rack using the following time guide: 8″ or 9″ round pans or 13″x9″ rectangular pan 23-28 minutes, bundt cake pan 33-36 minutes, and 24 cupcake tin 18-21 minutes.
• To test for doneness, the cake should bounce back when pressed lightly in the middle. The cake is done when you see that bounce and when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 
• Allow to cool for 15 minutes.

Notes

This makes 7.5 cups of batter, filling two 8″ pans just over half full. I sometimes double the recipe, and the batter almost halfway fills 2 – 8×2″ pans and 2 – 10×2″ pans. That gives me a great 2 tiered cake with enough cake top to level off.

Keyword box cake, cake

Want More Great Cake Content?

I am a self-taught cake decorator and baker. It has become a passion of mine and a very fun hobby. I am a student who is constantly learning and developing techniques. I hope you will take advantage of the things I have learned by reading my cake-making 101 and cake-making 201 posts (the second one is more about decorating with fondant).

Here are some more great recipes and resources:

Best Cake Decorating Tools

Tasty Oreo Cream Cheese Frosting

Ombre Petal Buttercream Technique