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–+ servings
Vanilla cake squares in a baking tin with Christmas sprinkles.
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Festive Vanilla Tray Bake

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!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: North American
Keyword: cake, christmas, christmas baking, christmas cake, dessert
Servings: 16 cake squares
Calories: 218kcal
Author: Julia Pinney

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
US Customary - Metric

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.

Nutrition Facts
Festive Vanilla Tray Bake
Amount Per Serving (1 cake square)
Calories 218 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Cholesterol 60mg20%
Sodium 232mg10%
Potassium 50mg1%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 498IU10%
Calcium 45mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.