Milk Bar White Sheet Cake

This Milk Bar White Sheet Cake brings bakery style luxury to your kitchen with each tender vanilla bite crowned with tangy frosting and playful cake crumbs. It is my go to dessert for birthdays or cheering up a quiet weeknight

The first time I made this cake my family hovered around the kitchen the finished cake did not last the evening and now it s requested for every special occasion

Ingredients

• Butter at room temperature: helps create a fluffy crumb look for unsalted high quality brands
• Granulated sugar: sweetens and aerates the batter choose a super fine variety if possible
• Oil: boosts moisture without weighing down the cake use a neutral flavored oil
• Egg whites only: for a pure white interior always use fresh eggs for best whip
• All purpose flour: measured accurately by spoon and level prevents a dense cake
• Baking powder and baking soda: give a tender rise check freshness for maximum lift
• Salt: sharpens all the flavors
• Buttermilk: brings tang and moisture try to find real cultured buttermilk
• Vanilla extract: the soul of the cake opt for clear or pure vanilla for a clean flavor
• Milk: adds creaminess to the soak any dairy milk works but whole milk is extra rich
• Butter again: needed for the perfect frosting base be sure it is truly room temperature
• Cream cheese: adds the characteristic tang to the frosting choose block style full fat
• Powdered sugar: sweetens and thickens frosting sift for smoothness
• Clear vanilla: for classic nostalgic bakery flavor makes the frosting pop
• For the crumb flour: stabilizes the clusters use fresh for best texture
• Brown sugar: brings depth and a hint of caramel use tightly packed dark brown sugar
• Rainbow sprinkles: give a pop of color and classic Milk Bar fun

Tips

Look for really fresh dairy and eggs the better quality always shines in simple cakes

Step by Step Instructions

Prep the Pan:

Grease and line a nine by thirteen inch pan with parchment ensuring clean release later

Cream the Butter and Sugar:

Beat room temperature butter with granulated sugar on medium high three to five minutes until visibly light and fluffy this step aerates the batter and builds volume

Mix in Wet Ingredients:

Add oil egg whites and vanilla extract beat until just combined the mixture should look smooth and emulsified

Combine Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl whisk together flour baking powder baking soda and salt ensuring even distribution

Alternate Dry and Wet Additions:

Add a third of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture then pour in half the buttermilk alternate until you finish with the dry mix mix on low to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cake

Bake:

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan bake for twenty five to thirty minutes until the top springs back and a tester comes out clean cool completely

Prepare the Milk Soak:

Stir vanilla extract into the milk in a small bowl set aside to infuse flavor

Make the Frosting:

Beat butter on high until light add cream cheese and beat until smooth gradually incorporate powdered sugar then the clear vanilla extract beating until thick and spreadable

Make Cake Crumbs:

Combine flour granulated sugar brown sugar baking powder salt oil clear vanilla and sprinkles in a bowl blend with a fork until crumbs form scatter on a lined baking sheet and bake twenty minutes until golden let cool

Assemble the Cake:

Carefully cut the fully cooled cake into two thin sheets brush the top of the bottom layer generously with milk soak

Frost and Layer:

Spread a thick layer of frosting over the bottom sheet sandwich with the second cake sheet brush with more milk soak and frost the entire cake

Finish and Chill:

Pile cake crumbs on top for signature crunch let the assembled cake sit at least one hour this allows the soak and flavors to meld for a bakery worthy result

Save

Growing up my favorite part was always sneaking extra crumb topping from the cake my niece now mimics this tradition and it brings me so much joy seeing this cake become a family memory

Storage Tips

Store leftover cake covered in the fridge where it stays moist and flavorful for four to five days Let slices come to room temperature before serving for the softest texture The crumb topping stays crisp if you keep it loosely covered at room temperature until ready to serve

Ingredient Substitutions

If you cannot find buttermilk make your own with one cup of milk mixed with one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar Let it sit for five minutes before using If clear vanilla is not available substitute with a mix of regular vanilla and almond extract for a classic bakery flavor

Serving Suggestions

Serve chilled or just above room temperature Clean slices with a hot knife for sharp bakery style edges Pair with fresh berries or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for a crowd pleasing treat

Cultural and Historical Context

Milk Bar s white cake with vanilla soak and sprinkle crumb is inspired by nostalgic American birthday cakes but elevated with the signature combination of milky flavor and textural contrast Christina Tosi s influence blends playful nostalgia with clever pastry technique making this cake an icon of modern American desserts

Frequently Asked Questions About Recipes

→ How do I make the cake extra moist?

Brushing each cake layer with a vanilla milk soak adds moisture and enhances the flavor, creating a tender crumb.

→ Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of clear?

Yes, while clear vanilla keeps the frosting pristine and white, regular vanilla extract works just as well for taste.

→ Why use egg whites only?

Using just egg whites results in a lighter texture and a pure white color, which is signature for this cake style.

→ How do I prevent overmixing the batter?

Alternate adding dry and wet ingredients, mixing only until just combined to keep the cake soft and tender.

→ What purpose do cake crumbs serve?

Cake crumbs on top provide a crunchy texture and playful finish, adding contrast to the smooth frosting and soft cake.

→ Are the rainbow sprinkles necessary?

Rainbow sprinkles add a decorative, festive look, but you can omit or substitute them based on your preference.