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slice cut out of the cake to show three layers of vanilla cake and buttercream

Recipes

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Vanilla 4 Inch Cake

prep 1 hour hr
cook 20 minutes mins
Additional Time 2 hours hrs

This 3 layered 4 inch vanilla cake is the perfect size for a personal treat or small celebration and uses simple ingredients you already have at home!

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Vanilla 4 Inch Cake

January 4, 2022
July 28, 2025

Recipe By:

Bernice Baran

This 3 layered vanilla 4 inch cake is the perfect size for a personal treat or small celebration and uses simple ingredients you already have at home!

vanilla 4 inch cake frosted with vanilla buttercream and gold foil
4 inch cake

After developing my vanilla 6 Inch and 8 Inch Cake, I realized we needed a base recipe for a vanilla 4 inch cake. The 4 inch cake is the perfect size for a small celebration cake or smash cake. It can be tricky modifying a recipe to fit the amount and size you want, so I took out the guesswork and developed the perfect 4 inch cake for you guys! 

How to make a 4 inch cake

My 4 Inch Cake is a basic vanilla cake with 3 layers. To keep things simple, I made a vanilla buttercream. I’m picky about three main things in my cakes- 

  • Texture– I like my cakes to be perfectly soft and moist without being too dense.
  • Flavor– There needs to be a balance of flavors where no ingredient stands out.
  • Simplicity– I do not like complicated recipes with complicated ingredients. 
slice of vanilla cake with bite taken out

Ingredients: 

  • Flour: I like to use all-purpose flour because it is a staple ingredient in most homes. The difference cake flour makes isn’t worth the extra trip to the grocery store.
    • I always recommend using a digital scale, especially when measuring flour.
  • Fat: I like the combination of butter and oil. For a cake this size, using both would require measurements that are too small and kind of annoying. To keep it simple, I used oil because I prefer the texture from oil more than butter.
  • Whole Egg: I like to use whole eggs for a richer flavor. It is important for your eggs to be room temperature. If you forget to take them out in time, place them in hot water for 5-10 minutes. 
  • Sugar: People are always trying to cut corners with sugar. Without sugar there would be no flavor and your cake would be dry. So please, do not cut out any of the sugar!
  • Liquid: I like the texture my cakes get from using sour cream and milk. If you don’t have sour cream you can substitute greek yogurt. 
slice cut out of the cake to show three layers of vanilla cake and buttercream

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

How can I customize my 4 Inch Vanilla Cake 

You can use almost any type and flavor of frosting. If you want to customize the vanilla buttercream you can add ¼ cup of jam, peanut butter, nutella or chocolate ganache. If you want more ideas, my book Frosted has over 60 different frosting recipes.

Does this recipe work for cupcakes? 

If you want to use this recipe to make cupcakes I’m assuming you want a small batch. Lucky for you I have a Small Batch Cupcakes recipe and it’s perfect! 

slice of 4 inch cake

How do I know when my cake is done baking? 

When your cake is done baking it will release from the edge of the pan. You can also gently press the middle of the cake and if it springs back it is done. I also recommend buying an oven thermometer to make sure your oven is at the right temperature. 

How to store 4 Inch Vanilla Cake 

If the cake is sliced, cover the opening with plastic wrap or store in a cake dome at room temperature for 2-3 days. To refrigerate, place the cake in an airtight container for up to a week.

You can freeze it for up to 2 months by cutting into slices and placing them in an airtight container. Place the container in a freezer bag and squeeze out all the air. When you want to serve the cake, allow the slices to thaw at room temperature. 

4 inch cake cut in half to show the inside

Thanks so much for reading today’s post! If you have any questions just comment down below, I’m happy to answer! If you make this 4 inch vanilla cake I would love to see the results, so please make sure to tag me @baranbakery on instagram and order my cookbook, Frosted. As always, have a blessed day and happy baking!

Love, B

slice cut out of the cake to show three layers of vanilla cake and buttercream
Recipes
Flavor

4 Inch Vanilla Cake Recipe

prep 1 hour hr
cook 20 minutes mins
Additional Time 2 hours hrs
total 3 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Serves 4 -6 slices
Simple vanilla cake now comes in the perfect size for a personal treat or small celebration. This 3 layered, 4 Inch Vanilla Cake is delicious, soft, and simple to make!
Author: Bernice Baran
Print Recipe Pin Recipe email recipe
Servings 4 -6 slices
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Ingredients

Vanilla Cake

  • 3/4 cup (90g) cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 1 tsp (4g) baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup (60mL) vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (56g) sour cream room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup (60mL) milk room temperature

Vanilla Buttercream

  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter room temperature
  • 2 cup (240g) powdered sugar spooned and leveled
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 1-2 Tbsp (15-30mL) heavy whipping cream room temperature

Method

Vanilla 4 inch cake

  1. Preheat the oven on convection to 350°F (177°C) (325F/162C conventional oven) and grease and line three 4 inch cake pans.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt until they're evenly distributed.
    3/4 cup (90g) cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled, 1 tsp (4g) baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt
  3. Place the oil and the granulated sugar in a large bowl and use an electric mixer with the whisk attachment to beat them, until they're smooth.
    1/4 cup (60mL) vegetable oil, 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  4. Then add the egg and beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract and beat just until combined.
    1 large egg room temperature, 1/4 cup (56g) sour cream room temperature, 1 tsp vanilla extract
  5. Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, turn the mixer on low speed and then pour in the milk, followed by the rest of the dry ingredients. Mix just until the last streak of flour is combined.
    1/4 cup (60mL) milk room temperature
  6. Distribute the batter evenly among the three cake pans and bake for 20 minutes. When the cake is fully baked it will release itself from the edge of the pan and it will spring back if you press on the center of it.
  7. Flip the cakes over onto a tea towel and allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting.

Vanilla Buttercream

  1. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter at full speed until it's pale and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.
    1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter room temperature
  2. Add the powdered sugar and beat at low speed just until it's combined.
    2 cup (240g) powdered sugar spooned and leveled
  3. Scrape the edge of the bowl and continue beating at medium-high speed until the sugar is fully dissolved and fluffy.
  4. Add the vanilla and turn the mixer to low-medium speed, pour in 1 Tbsp of heavy whipping cream and mix until it's well combined.
    1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste, 1-2 Tbsp (15-30mL) heavy whipping cream room temperature
  5. If you want it softer, add the extra 1 Tbsp of heavy whipping cream and mix until it's fully combined.

Assemble

  1. Use 1/2 of the buttercream to frost the first and second layer and then use 1/4 for a crumb coat.
  2. Refrigerate the cake for 15-30 minutes, then use the last 1/4 of the buttercream to frost the rest of the cake.
  3. Use a piping bag with a medium sized round tip to pipe the poofs. Top with gold foil!

Video

Notes

You can bake these cakes up in advance. To preserve the moisture, allow the cakes to cool almost to room temperature, they should still be slightly warm. Wrap them in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer bag, pressing all the air out and freeze.
Remove them from the freezer when you're ready to frost, this makes it easier to frost and they will defrost by the time you're ready to serve.
If you want extra frosting for decorating, do 1.5x or 2x the amount of frosting. This is just enough to fully frost the cake.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 538kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 4gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 203mgSugar: 54g
Course: Cakes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 4 inch cake, cake, four inch cake, mini cake, small cake, small three layer cake, three layer 4 inch cake, three layer cake, vanilla cake, yellow cake

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Bernice Baran

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  1. Famous
    05.10.2024

    Notify me of new post by email.

    Reply
  2. Vanessa
    26.08.2024

    Hello,I have one 6 inch pan, i think I would use the 4inch recipe for the correct amount of batter, but how long would I bake and would the temperature change for doing 1 layer in a 6 inch pan? Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Bernice Baran
      26.08.2024

      Time and temperature should stay the same as the regular 6 inch cake. You should get the same size cake but just 1 layer if you’re using the 4 inch recipe baked in a 6 inch pan 🙂

      Reply
  3. Nilda
    09.04.2024

    Hello

    I don’t have 4 inch cake pans but I have 6 inch can I use this same recipe in those, will probably yield two layers.

    Thank you
    Nilda

    Reply
    1. Bernice Baran
      13.04.2024

      I think it would only make one 6 inch layer. I have a 6 inch layer cake too
      https://baranbakery.com/6-inch-vanilla-cake-recipe/

      Reply
  4. Katie
    27.03.2024

    Did you trim the “dome” off the cake?

    Reply
    1. Bernice Baran
      27.03.2024

      Hi Katie, I don’t usually get a cake dome when I bake on convection.

      Reply
  5. McKinley Towe
    02.11.2023

    is there a way i can convert this to be a chocolate cake? i haven’t found a chocolate cake recipe i like

    Reply
    1. Bernice Baran
      04.11.2023

      Hi! Yes I would probably do 2/3 cup of flour (80grams) and then 1-2 TBSP of cocoa (10-20grams) depending on how chocolatey you want it 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jessica
    11.07.2023

    Hello, what is the bake time for a regular oven?

    Reply
    1. Bernice Baran
      12.07.2023

      Hi, I would bake it at 325F/162C in a regular oven. May take just a few minutes longer to bake.

      Reply
      1. Jessica
        12.07.2023

        Thank you so much!

  7. Sandy
    20.06.2023

    Can I make the buttercream into chocolate buttercream and any chocolate recipes for a 10 inch pan?

    Reply
    1. Bernice Baran
      08.07.2023

      Hi Sandy, you can sub 1/4 cup of the powdered sugar for cocoa powder.
      Any of 6 inch cakes can be baked in a square 10 inch pan or a 9×13″ pan and if you double any of my 6 inch cakes, it makes three 10 inch layers. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  8. Sadie
    01.06.2023

    Hi, I am wondering how long it takes to have the stuff out to get it to room temp? Does it have to be room temperature?

    Reply
  9. Mel
    11.05.2023

    Do you have a Carrot Cake recipe for a 4 inch cheesecake pan?

    Reply
    1. Bernice Baran
      16.05.2023

      I don’t but you could use my carrot cake cupcake recipe to bake it in the four inch pans. you might get four layers which would make a really tall cake but you can just use three of the layers to stack.
      https://baranbakery.com/maple-caramel-carrot-cake-cupcakes/

      Reply
  10. cassandra
    21.03.2023

    Hi there,

    Is there a way to sub out the granulated sugar for something more natural like maple syrup?

    Reply
    1. Bernice Baran
      23.03.2023

      Hi Cassandra, maple syrup is about 33% water so I would swap the granulated sugar for 3/4 cup maple syrup and skip either the milk or the sour cream.
      I also have an ebook that covers over 100 baking ingredients, what they do and how to swap them for alternatives if you’re interested in other options 🙂
      https://baranbakery.com/the-ingredient-guide/

      Reply
  11. Reena
    25.02.2023

    Hi!! Thank you for the recipe! My friends and I can’t wait to make it! Question… if I don’t have 4 inch round cake pans can I make the cake in a larger pan and cut 4 inch rounds using deep 4 inch cookie cutters?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Bernice Baran
      28.02.2023

      It should work fine but you’ll have some scraps so your cake layers might be a little thinner since some of the batter is used for scraps.

      Reply
  12. nica
    07.02.2023

    is it okay not to put sour cream? or should i really put it? what is the substitute for sour cream?

    Reply
  13. Maggs
    01.08.2022

    I’ve been looking for the perfect 4” cake to make for guests celebrating special occasions and this is by far the best I’ve tried! Everything was perfect and I appreciate that it only takes a stick of butter because it’s so expensive here! Delicious and affordable? Thank you!!

    Reply
    1. Bernice Baran
      02.08.2022

      Hi Maggs, so glad you liked this cake, thanks so much for sharing! <3

      Reply
  14. Suzi
    26.03.2022

    I made this as a smash cake for my daughters first birthday. The only change I made was using melted butter instead of oil and it is hands down the best and most moist vanilla cake I’ve ever had!!!

    Reply
    1. Bernice Baran
      26.03.2022

      Ahh I’m so glad you liked it ??

      Reply

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One of the oldest recipes on my site & still a fav One of the oldest recipes on my site & still a favorite 🍋
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#lemonpoppyseed #lemoncheesecake #nobakecheesecake
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One of the simplest recipes to make but one that I One of the simplest recipes to make but one that I tested waaaaayyy more than my other recipes lol.
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