Just add sprinkles to this easy Festive Vanilla Tray Bake and it’s holiday ready! A moist vanilla cake topped with cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with a touch of Christmas!
The Christmas countdown is officially on! How are we less than two weeks away from Christmas? And how is this only the second Christmas recipe I’m sharing? There really needs to be more time!
This week, I have more recipes coming your way, so be sure to check back. And today, I’m sharing this easy Festive Vanilla Tray Bake. How to make Christmas desserts easy, just add sprinkles!
This might not be your traditional Christmas Cake, but it’s a great one. And one you can be sure the kids will like too. No fruit cake here…haha. Mind you, I don’t mind fruit cake. I just prefer a nice vanilla slice!
This is what I like to call a last minute Christmas Cake. Just add sprinkles and you are all set!
Sheet Cake Vs Tray Bake
Okay, so what’s the difference between a Sheet Cake and a Tray Bake?
- A Sheet Cake is baked on a large baking tray, kind of like a cookie baking tray with a rim. So it’s petty big!
- A Tray Bake is baked in a smaller tin with higher sides. Kind of like a baking pan you would make brownies or squares in. I used an 8 x 8 inch baking dish for this Tray Bake.
Tips for Making The cake
This is a super easy cake that even non experienced bakers can make. It’s easy! Just follow the simple instructions in the recipe card below and you really can’t go wrong.
I recently wrote in a post about all the baking tips to follow. I’ll just copy in in here for your assistance!
Baking Tips
- First and foremost, follow the recipe! Especially, if you are new to baking. If you want the cookie to look like the one you see, don’t change anything.
- Know your oven! This very important. All ovens bake somewhat differently. So take the time to regulate your oven. Put an oven thermometer on the inside and set the oven to any random temperature. The thermometer inside the oven should read what you set it to when it preheats. If not, your oven will not be baking at the temperature that you’ve set your oven to.
- Use the best quality baking pans you can afford. Yes, it makes a big difference. Thin and poor quality baking pans often lead to baked goods that burn or over cook on the bottom, don’t rise properly or get heat spots throughout and don’t bake properly. Fact.
- When a recipes says things like, “chill”, “preheat”, “butter NOT margarine”, “carefully”, “mix until fluffy”, “room temperature”, etc…..pay attention. These instructions and ingredients are there for a reason. So, follow them….pretty please.
- Weighing ingredients is more accurate than measuring in cups. I always bake and cook by weight. Yes, in the recipe card the primary measurement is in cups and spoons. That’s because my site caters mostly to North American readers. However, in the recipe card there is a little button you can click that will automatically convert all measurements to metric.
- And last but not least, have patience…..hahaha!
Cream Cheese Verses Butter Cream
I’m team Cream Cheese Frosting all the way!
- Cream Cheese Frosting is made by creaming cream cheese, butter, milk, vanilla and powdered sugar.
- Butter Cream Frosting is made by creaming butter, milk vanilla and powdered sugar.
This recipe uses Cream Cheese Frosting. If you prefer Butter Cream Frosting, you can get a recipe for that here.
HOW TO SERVE THIS Festive Vanilla Tray Bake
This cake doesn’t need anything, it’s great just the way it is. You can cut it into whatever size squares you like. I like Brownie size. So, I cut 16 squares so they are almost like little cake squares. But you can cut them into whatever size you like.
If you happen to be looking for a quick idea over the next week, this Festive Vanilla Tray Bake is a great option!
Some More Recipes That Might Interest You
- Vanilla Celebration Cupcakes
- Easy Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Chip Cake Squares
- Mini Chocolate Topped Raspberry Cheesecakes
- Soft Ginger & Cinnamon Cookies
I hope you like the simple cake and get a chance to try it out. I’ll be back in a day or two with a super simple holiday appetizer.
Happy baking friends!
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Get The Recipe!
Festive Vanilla Tray Bake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 1/2 Cups plain flour
- 1 Teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter unsalted at room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 2 Eggs at room temperature
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 Cup milk
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 cup butter unsalted and at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
For decorating
- sprinkles your choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line an 8 inch square baking tin.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt . Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the butter on high speed until smooth and then add the sugar. Continue mixing for about 3 minutes or so. Mix in the vanilla and add eggs one at a time , mixing well after each addition .
- Add the flour and milk to the batter in three additions, starting and ending with the flour. Mix just long enough so the flour is incorporated.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 20 – 25 minutes . Cake will be done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean . Remove from oven and leave to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 5 minutes . Remove cake from pan, remove parchment paper and leave to cool completely on the wire rack .
- Make the frosting. Mix together the cream cheese and butter on high speed for about 3 minutes, until light and fluffy and completely combined. Mix in the vanilla extract. Sift in the powdered sugar and mix until combined, about 2 minutes.
- Once the cake has cooled completely, transfer to a serving plate and frost the cake with the frosting and sprinkle with festive sprinkles of your choice.
- Cake will keep fresh for about 3 days.
*A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Thanks For Stopping by & Hope To See You Soon!
May I ask where did you get your sprinkles, please?
Thank you
Hi Kathy, I got them off Amazon last fall.