Perfect Yellow Cake Recipes

YELLOW CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper rounds (see #6 in Cake Baking Tips), then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans. I recommend using nonstick spray for greasing.
• Whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
• Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed for 3 full minutes. The creamed butter and sugar will be extra creamy. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Turn the mixer down to medium-high speed and beat in the 4 egg yolks one at a time, letting each egg yolk fully mix into the batter before adding the next. Beat in the vanilla extract until combined.
• Add about 1/3 of the dry ingredients and 1/2 of the buttermilk and beat on low speed until combined. Add 1/3 more of the dry ingredients and the rest of the buttermilk and beat on low speed until combined. Add the rest of the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until combined. The batter is very thick. You may need to whisk it all by hand to make sure there are no lumps at the bottom of the bowl.
• Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar together on high speed until fluffy peaks form, about 3 minutes. See photo and video above for a visual. Slowly and gently fold the egg whites into the thick cake batter. Avoid over-mixing as you don't want to deflate the egg whites.
• Pour/spoon batter evenly into cake pans.
• Bake for around 27-31 minutes or until the cakes are baked through. After about 18 minutes, tent the cakes with aluminum foil to prevent the tops and sides from over-browning. To test the cakes for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, it's done. The cakes may look a little spongey on top as a result of the whipped egg whites. (That's normal!)
• Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack. The cakes must be completely cool before frosting and assembling.
• With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, 3 Tablespoons heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for 1 full minute. Do not over-whip. Add 1/4 cup more confectioners' sugar or cocoa powder if frosting is too thin or 1-2 more Tablespoons of cream if frosting is too thick. (I usually add 1 more.) Taste. Add another pinch of salt if desired.
• If cooled cakes are domed on top, use a large serrated knife to slice a thin layer off the tops to create a flat surface. This is called "leveling" the cakes. Discard or crumble over finished cake (or on ice cream!). Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with frosting. Top with 2nd layer. (If desired, if the edges seem extra crumbly, apply a crumb coat which is a thin layer of frosting all over the cake. You can see I did this in the video tutorial above. Refrigerate the crumb coated cake for 15 minutes before adding the rest of the frosting.) Spread remaining frosting all over the top and sides. I always use an icing spatula and/or a bench scraper for the frosting. Garnish with sprinkles, if desired.
• For extra neat slices, refrigerate cake for 30-60 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting.
• Cover leftover cake tightly and store at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

YELLOW CAKE FROM SCRATCH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour three 8x2 inch round cake pans. Place a piece of parchment in the bottom of each pan.
• Put the first 5 ingredients into the bowl of your mixer. Mix on low speed for at least 30 seconds to combine.
• Add the softened butter (cut into pieces) mix on low speed just until it looks like coarse sand. The dry ingredients will be moistened/coated by the butter and will stick to together if you press some between two fingers. Don't over-mix or it will turn into a large dough-like ball.
• Add the eggs 1 at a time, mixing until blended.
• Add the vanilla to the 1 1/4 cup buttermilk. With the mixer on lowest speed gradually pour into the mixer. Increase the speed to #2 or # 3 (on a KitchenAid mixer). Mix for 2 minutes. Batter will be fluffy and smooth. If you are using a hand mixer rather than a stand mixer, you will need to mix a bit longer.
• Divide batter evenly between your three prepared (8 inch) pans.
• Bake at 325 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and turn out of pans.
• Add butter and mix on low to medium speed until smooth. Add vanilla and blend into the butter. Add powdered sugar, salt, and cocoa powder.
• Add most of the milk. Begin mixing at low speed so you won't have a cloud of powdered sugar in your kitchen.
• Continue to mix adding remaining milk as needed. It may take 5 to 6 minutes to reach the smoothness and consistency you like. It will take longer if using a hand mixer. As you mix the frosting will become very smooth. You can add additional milk (1 Tablespoon at a time) if the frosting is too thick or additional powdered sugar if too soft.

PERFECT YELLOW CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 13x9 inch cake pan.
• In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the sugar, vegetable oil, and butter. Cream together at medium speed for 1 minute.
• Add the eggs and egg yolks one at a time on low speed. Stir in the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Next, mix in the sour cream and beat until well-combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and turmeric until thoroughly combined.
• Add half the flour mixture, and beat on low speed while pouring in half of the buttermilk and mix just until the flour starts to incorporate. Finally add the remaining flour, mixing on low speed while pouring in the remaining buttermilk and beating until all of the ingredients are combined.
• Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir the batter from the bottom to the top to ensure it's well-mixed.
• Pour the batter into the greased pan (or pans) evenly and bake at 350°F for 36-40 minutes (or less time for cupcakes), keeping a careful eye on the baking during the last few minutes. Test the cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake--if it comes out clean, the cake is done.
• Cool completely and decorate with your choice of frosting.

THE PERFECT YELLOW CUPCAKE

Steps:

• Make the White Buttercream: Put the sugar in a saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer and pour the water down the walls of the pan to moisten the sugar without letting sugar crystals wash up on the walls of the pan. Run your finger through the center making an X to allow the water to seep into the sugar if it hasn't already. Bring the sugar to a boil over high heat and continue cooking to the "softball" stage (234 degrees F.).
• Meanwhile, in a standing mixer fitted with the whip attachment, whip the egg whites to soft peaks and hold them on low speed until the sugar is ready. When the sugar syrup is has reached the softball stage, turn the mixer up to high and slowly pour the syrup down the side of the mixer. Let it continue to whip to cool down. When it's feeling somewhat cooled but still a little warm, start adding the butter a few pieces at a time until you have a smooth, whipped butter cream. Add the almond extract. Use right away or cover and chill. Re-warm or let sit out to warm up to room temperature to use.
• Make the Cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a mixer with a whip attachment, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and continue to cream. Gradually add the vanilla and eggs and mix in well. Sift together the dry ingredients; then mix into the butter mixture alternating with the milk. Pour batter into cupcake paper-lined muffin tins filling them 3/4 full. Bake until puffed and firm in the center and light golden brown on top, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool. (Freeze at this point, if necessary.)
• Decorate and Assemble the Cupcakes: Using a small spatula, frost the tops of the cooled cup cakes with the buttercream. Decorate each with a few pearls of fondant.
• Tie the cake pull charms to the ends of the ribbons.
• Arrange some of the cupcakes on the largest cake stand, leaving the center empty for the base of the next cake stand. Tuck some of the cake pull charms under some of the cupcakes, dangling the ribbons off the edge of the cake stand. Place the next cake stand in the center and repeat. Make as many tiers as you need. Finish the top with flowers, if you'd like.

YELLOW CAKE MADE FROM SCRATCH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9x13 inch pan. Mix together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream sugar and shortening until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Add flour mixture alternately with milk, beating just to combine. finally, stir in vanilla. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Frost and enjoy.

THE BEST YELLOW CAKE RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, vegetable oil, butter, eggs. egg yolks and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until the eggs and oil are well incorporated and the batter is lighter in color, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Next mix in the sour cream and beat until well combined.
• In a separate bowl, combine the remaining dry ingredients. Alternate adding half the dry ingredients and half the buttermilk at a time and mix just until the flour starts to incorporate. Then add remaining dry ingredients and buttermilk and beat until well combined. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir the batter from the bottom to the top to ensure it's well mixed.
• Pour the batter in a 9-inch by 13-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. Test the cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate in the microwave at 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring each time until the chocolate is melted. Stir until completely smooth. Set aside too cool.
• Cut the butter into pieces. Using the paddle attachment, whip butter for 5-7 minutes, scraping down the bowl occasionally. Beat until butter look light in color. Next, beat the cocoa powder into the butter until well mixed.
• Alternate adding 1 cup of powdered sugar at a time with the liquid ingredients: vanilla extract & heavy cream. Ensure the powdered sugar is well combined, and whip for 1-2 minutes before adding more powdered sugar.
• Next, pour in the melted chocolate and beat on slow speed until incorporated. Then, increase the speed to medium-high and beat for another 2-3 minutes to whip additional air into the frosting. Spread over cooled cake. Top with sprinkles.

CLASSIC YELLOW CAKE RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line 2 9-inch (22 cm) round cake pans with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl 2-3 times. Add eggs and the egg yolk, 1 at a time, beating for 30 seconds between each addition, or until just combined. Add the vanilla and beat until incorporated.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Add ¼ of the dry ingredients to the batter and beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds, or until fully combined. Add ¼ of the buttermilk and mix for another 30 seconds, until well incorporated. Continue alternating with the remaining dry ingredients and buttermilk. Beat for 3 minutes more.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake the cake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the cakes from the oven and let cool slightly, then remove from the pans and let cool completely on a wire rack.
• Make the frosting: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, cocoa powder, and salt with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until very thick and well incorporated, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Turn the mixer speed to low and gradually alternate adding the powdered sugar and milk. As the sugar is incorporated, increase the speed of the mixer. Add the vanilla and beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, about 1 minute.The frosting will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before frosting the cake.
• Add a small dollop of frosting to a cake stand. Arrange four pieces of parchment paper around it. Place 1 cake round on the stand. Add a large dollop of frosting to the top of the first cake and spread evenly. Add the remaining cake layer on top and frost completely.
• Decorate the top with rainbow sprinkles, if desired.
• Remove the parchment paper. Slice and serve.
• Enjoy!

PERFECT YELLOW CAKE

Steps:

• Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder and salt: set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar about 1/4 cup at a time, beating on medium speed until well combined. Beat for 2 minutes more after all sugar is inches.
• Add eggs 1 at a time beating after each egg for one minute.
• Beat in vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.
• Bake at 375°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes for 9 inch pans 30 to 35 minutes for 8 inch pans, 25 to 30 minutes for 13x9x2 inch pan.
• Use your toothpick to check if it comes out clean.

PERFECT YELLOW CAKE RECIPE WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Butter two 9-inch round cake pans and line with circles of parchment paper, then butter parchment (I use an oil/flour cooking spray like Bakers Joy).
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
• In your stand mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, then mix in vanilla.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well and scraping down the bowl after each addition.
• Mix in buttermilk until just combined (will not be smooth).
• Add flour mixture in three batches, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix as this will toughen the cake and cause big air bubbles.
• Spread batter evenly in cake pans. Drop the cake pans onto the counter from a few inches up to release any air bubbles, 2 or 3 times.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then invert, remove cakes from pan, and let finish cooling.
• To make the frosting, place the cocoa in the bowl of your stand mixer. Mix with a whisk attachment to remove lumps. Add the butter and cream until smooth.
• Alternate the powdered sugar and milk by adding about a cup of powdered sugar and a tablespoon of milk, mixing, and then repeating until all is incorporated.
• Add vanilla and mix to combine. You may adjust the powdered sugar and milk if you need a thicker or thinner frosting.

PERFECTED YELLOW CAKE

Steps:

• To prep, whisk together the milk and sour cream together in a liquid measure and let come to room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and make sure an oven rack is placed in the middle of the oven.
• In a large bowl of an electric stand mixer or with a handheld electric mixer, whip the butter on medium speed for 1-2 minutes. Add the granulated sugar and beat for 4-5 minutes on medium speed. Mix in the vanilla.
• One at a time, add the eggs and egg yolks, mixing just until combined in between additions. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Combine the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Sift them together through a fine mesh strainer.
• Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix just until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add 1/2 of the milk/sour cream mixture and mix. Add another 1/3 of the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Add the last 1/2 of the milk/sour cream mixture and beat until just combined. Add the final 1/3 of the dry ingredients and mix just until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Give the batter one good, final stir with the rubber spatula.
• Grease the cake pans and line the bottoms with a parchment round. Grease the parchment and sides of the pan again very well. I use regular cooking spray but you can also use butter or cooking spray with flour. If your cake pans tend to cause sticking, consider also flouring the pans.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two pans. Drop each pan from about 3-inches onto the counter to minimize air bubbles while baking.
• Bake for 25-28 minutes (high altitude: 28-30 minutes) until lightly golden around the edges and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Resist the urge to open and close the oven to check on the cake - this can cause the center of the cake to fall and never recover. And as with all cakes, don't overbake or the cake will be dry.
• Let the cakes rest in the pans for 5-10 minutes before gently turning them onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

BAKERY RECIPE FOR PERFECT YELLOW CAKE

Steps:

• First combine the vegetable oil with the melted vegan butter add the vanilla extract and set aside
• Combine the soy milk with the vinegar and let stand for 5 minutes to thicken.
• Sift all the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl, including the sugar.
• Pour the wet ingredients in and whisk smooth, this will be the plant milk mixture and the butter/oil mixture
• Pour the batter into the greased and parchment lined pan(s) and bake immediately in the preheated 350°F oven for 15 minutes, then turn the open temperature down to 325°F to bake the rest of the way, approximately 20 minutes more or when you gently press the centers they are springy to the touch. Or do the toothpick test for moist crumbs.
• Cool in the pan(s) until you can safely touch without burning yourself then turn the cake(s) out onto a cooling rack to cool the rest of the way.
• Once completely cooled ice with your choice of icing