As the weather heats up one of the last things you want to do is warm up your kitchen with the oven. Thankfully that doesn’t mean that you have to give up cake. In fact, today I am sharing a 5 layer Vanilla Waffle Cake that is super simple to make, extra delicious and won’t raise the temperature in your kitchen at all. This recipe really is a win-win. Keep scrolling to see how you can make it too!
For years I made and sold cakes from my home and the deli that I owned. I have baked hundreds of cakes and spread gallons of buttercream but I am so thankful that I don’t do that everyday anymore {SO MUCH WORK}.
Once in a while I will make a decorated cake but not often. These days cakes like this Layered Vanilla Waffle Cake are more my speed and I think that you will love it too.
If you have a waffle iron then you can make this layered cake, there is no special training required.
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How to make a Layered Vanilla Waffle Cake
This cake starts with a vanilla cake mix. In fact, I made the cake exactly like the back of the box instructed except I substituted milk for the water and I added vanilla extract.
The milk adds a more rich flavor and a little extra vanilla flavor is always welcome. I used a handheld mixer to combine the batter but you could also do this by hand.
While you are making the batter you can get your waffle iron ready. The key is to not have it on high. I set my waffle iron to a medium high temperature.
Once the waffle iron is ready it is time to start making the cake layers. Make sure that you spray the top and bottom liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Add 1/2 cup of cake batter to the waffle iron {you may need to add more or less batter depending on the size of your waffle iron}.
Then I took a heat proof spatula and spread it out to make sure that it filled the entire surface area of the waffle iron.
It will continue to spread out once you put the lid down so it doesn’t have to be perfect.
Shut the lid and cook for 2 minutes. The waffles I made were ready at that time but if you feel like yours need some extra time then just put the lid down and check in 20 seconds.
When your cake waffle is ready it will be golden brown in the middle and a lighter brown around the edges.
Carefully remove it from the iron {I used forks to loosen it and then slipped a spatula underneath it to remove it} and let it cool completely.
Continue to cook your waffles until your batter is gone {it will make between 5 & 8 waffles}. Be sure that you are spraying the waffle iron with nonstick spray between each waffle.
While the waffle layers are cooling, begin to make your whipped cream. Combine the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl.
Note: If you want to make this cake even easier then use Cool Whip.
Beat mixture on high until you have a whipped cream with stiff peaks.
Start with your first waffle and put a layer of whipped cream on top of it. Then put on your next cake waffle and repeat.
Until you have 5 layers of cake with a layer of whipped cream between each cake.
To top the cake off, add a large dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries.
You can refrigerate your vanilla waffle cake now or serve it immediately. I love how the whipped cream gets down into the creases of the waffles.
The moist and soft cake combined with the fresh whipped cream is a match made in dessert heaven.
Serve your waffle cake with extra berries on the side for an extra special touch.
Nobody will believe that you made this glorious cake without an oven. It is such a fun project!
5 Reasons to Make a Layered Vanilla Waffle Cake
- It is so easy and doesn’t require an oven. In the summer when the temperature outside is warm this is the perfect solution to keeping the kitchen cool.
- This cake is ready in about 30 minutes which is about a quarter of the time a normal 5 layer cake would take.
- The layers cool really quick, so you can start stacking them within minutes.
- It is so much fun! Who said waffles were just for breakfast?
- You don’t have to be a master cake decorator to make this cake. There are no special decorating skills required.
Do you love cakes? Try these recipes…
- Black Bottom Bundt Cake
- Lemon Pound Cake with Lemon Glaze
- Better Than Anything Bundt Cake
- Carrot & Caramel Bundt Cake
- Red Velvet Crumb Cake
- Birthday Cookie Cake
Layer Vanilla Waffle Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Vanilla Cake Batter
- 1-15.25 oz vanilla cake mix
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Whipped Cream
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Fresh Berries for Garnish & Serving
Instructions
- Turn you waffle iron onto a medium high setting. In a medium bowl combine vanilla cake mix, milk, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla extract. Combine with a handheld mixer {or by hand} for 1-2 minutes or until you have a smooth batter.
- When your waffle iron is to temperature, spray both the top and bottom liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Measure out 1/2 cup {or however much your waffle iron will hold} of cake batter. Pour it into the middle of the prepared waffle iron and spread out using a heat proof spatula. Put top of waffle iron down and cook for 2 minutes or until the middle of the waffles are golden brown and the edges are light brown. To remove the waffles use forks to loosen the edges and then slip a spatula under the waffle. Move the cooked cake waffle to cooling rack to cool completely. Continue to cook until you have used all of your batter, making sure to spray nonstick spray between each waffle.
- While the waffles are cooling, combine the whipped cream ingredients in a large mixing bowl of a mixer that is fitted with a whisk attachment. Begin whisking the ingredients together, making sure that the powdered sugar gets incorporated well. Then turn the mixer onto a high speed and mix until you have stiff peaks {the whipped cream should stay on the whisk attachment when you pull it from the mixture}.
- To assemble your vanilla waffle cake, place one of the cooled cake waffles onto your serving plate and top with 1/6 of the whipped cream. Spread whipped cream out over the top of the waffle. If a little bit goes over the edge of the waffle then that is fine. Top with another waffle and repeat the process until you have stacked 5 waffles. Take the remaining whipped cream and make a large mound of whipped cream in the middle of the top waffle.
- Garnish your vanilla waffle cake with fresh berries and either refrigerate or serve with additional fresh berries.
