Yellow Cake (2024)

A classic Yellow Cake recipe with chocolate frosting is everyone favorite, from the soft and moist cake to the rich and simple frosting.

Want more cake recipes? Try Berry Cake, Coconut Cake, Chocolate Mug Cake, or White Texas Sheet Cake!

Why I love this cake:

• Classic – Everyone needs a good easy yellow cake recipe and it doesn’t get better than this one!
• The Frosting – Only uses a handful of ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes! You can’t beat a homemade yellow cake with chocolate frosting.
• Delicious – We always get so many compliments on this classic recipe, you will never use a box again!

Yellow Cake, White Cake and Vanilla Cake; What’s the difference?

Many people get confused on the difference between a yellow cake, white cake and vanilla cake, so let’s make the distinction! Yellow cakes get their name from the pale yellow hue of the batter and cake, made from whole eggs and real butter. White cake is made with egg whites only, and sometimes use shortening to maintain the white color. Lastly, when someone refers to a Vanilla Cake, they are actually talking about either a white cake or a yellow cake.

How to Make a Yellow Cake:

Make Batter: Cream sugar and butter until smooth. Pour in oil and mix. Add eggs and yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla and stir. Combine dry ingredients then add in some of the flour mixture, stirring to combine and then some of the buttermilk, ending with the flour mixture until just combined.

Bake: Divide the batter evenly in the pans then bakefor 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.Don’t over-bake or the cake will be dry. Allow the cake to cool for a few minutes before inverting onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Frosting: Melt butter and allow to cool. Stir in cocoa powder.Use electric mixers or a stand mixer to beat in the powdered sugar, milk ,and vanilla until light and fluffy. I beat the frosting for several minutes.

Frost Cake: Once the cake has cooled completely, frost this easy yellow cake recipe with chocolate frosting.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

To Make Ahead: Store chocolate frosting in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Bring to room temperature before using.

To Freeze: The cakes and frosting can be frozen. Allow the cakes to cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to one month. Frost cakes when they are still frozen. Freeze frosting in an airtight container for up to three months.

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Recipe

4.86 from 408 votes

Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting

A classic Yellow Cake recipe with chocolate frosting is everyone favorite, from the soft and moist cake to the rich and simple frosting.

Print Pin Review

Author Lauren Allen

See Also

Top 5 Cake Flavours for Birthday & Anniversary - Bakingo BlogWhat’s the Difference Between White, Yellow, and Vanilla Cake?What Is The Most Popular Cake Flavor? - Contract TestingWhat's the Difference Between White Cake and Yellow Cake?

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16

Calories 462

Cost 6

Prep 25 minutes mins

Cook 30 minutes mins

Total 55 minutes mins

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Equipment

• Cake Pans

• Hand mixer

Ingredients

For the Yellow Cake:

• ▢ 3/4 cup unsalted butter , at room temperature
• ▢ ¼ cup oil
• ▢ 2 cups granulated sugar
• ▢ 3 large eggs , at room temperature
• ▢ 2 large egg yolks , at room temperature
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 cup buttermilk , at room temperature

For the Chocolate Frosting:

• ▢ 1/2 cup butter melted
• ▢ 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ 3 cups powdered sugar
• ▢ 1/3 cup milk
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Yellow Cake:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

• Line two 8 or 9 inch round cake pans with parchment paper and spray pans with nonstick cooking spray.

  See Also

  What's the Real Difference Between White, Yellow, and Vanilla Cake?

• In a large bowl mix sugar and butter for a 3 minutes. Add oil and mix well again.

• Add the eggs and yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla and mix.

• Stir together baking powder, baking soda, salt, and flour in a medium bowl.Alternate adding in some of the flour mixture, stirring to combine and then some of the buttermilk, ending with the flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Divide the batter evenly in the pans.

• Bake for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with few moist crumbs. Don't over-bake or the cake will be dry.

• Invert cakes onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Frosting:

• Melt butter and stir in cocoa powder. Mix in the powdered sugar, milk ,and vanilla and mix for a few minutes, until frosting is light and fluffy. Once the cake has cooled completely, frost with chocolate frosting.

Notes

To Make Ahead: Store chocolate frosting in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Bring to room temperature before using.

To Freeze: The cakes and frosting can be frozen. Allow the cakes to cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to one month. Frost cakes when they are still frozen. Freeze frosting in an airtight container for up to three months.

For 9×13 Pan Yellow Cake: Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

For Yellow Cupcakes: Bake for about 17-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Nutrition

Calories: 462kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 5gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 309mgPotassium: 127mgFiber: 2gSugar: 48gVitamin A: 558IUCalcium: 81mgIron: 2mg

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I originally shared this recipe May 2019. Updated August 2023.

This post contains affiliate links.

As a seasoned baking enthusiast and culinary expert, I can attest to the timeless appeal of classic yellow cake with chocolate frosting. My extensive experience in the kitchen involves creating a plethora of cakes, from intricate designs to simple yet delectable recipes. Now, let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the provided article:

1. Yellow Cake, White Cake, and Vanilla Cake Distinction:

   • Yellow Cake: Recognized by its pale yellow hue, yellow cakes derive their color from whole eggs and real butter in the batter.
   • White Cake: Made with only egg whites, and sometimes includes shortening to maintain a pristine white color.
   • Vanilla Cake: Often a reference to either a white cake or a yellow cake.

2. Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting Recipe:

   • Ingredients for Yellow Cake:

     • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
     • 1/4 cup oil
     • 2 cups granulated sugar
     • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
     • 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
     • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
     • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
     • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
     • 1 teaspoon salt
     • 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
     • 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

   • Instructions for Yellow Cake:

     • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
     • Mix sugar and butter for 3 minutes, add oil, eggs, yolks, and vanilla, then alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk.
     • Bake for 25-35 minutes, cool completely on a wire rack.

   • Ingredients for Chocolate Frosting:

     • 1/2 cup butter, melted
     • 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
     • 3 cups powdered sugar
     • 1/3 cup milk
     • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

   • Instructions for Chocolate Frosting:

     • Melt butter, stir in cocoa powder.
     • Mix in powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
     • Frost the cooled yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

3. Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

   • Chocolate frosting can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks. Bring to room temperature before using.
   • Both cakes and frosting can be frozen. Cakes should be cooled, wrapped in plastic, and stored in a freezer bag for up to one month. Frost cakes when still frozen. Frosting can be frozen in an airtight container for up to three months.

4. Additional Tips:

   • To adapt for different pan sizes, the article suggests adjusting baking times.
   • For a 9x13 pan, bake for about 30-35 minutes.
   • For yellow cupcakes, bake for approximately 17-22 minutes.

In conclusion, this yellow cake with chocolate frosting recipe is a delightful classic, backed by my expertise and passion for baking. Follow these detailed instructions for a crowd-pleasing dessert that combines the softness of the cake with the richness of the homemade chocolate frosting.