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!
![A slice of homemade Yellow Cake recipe with chocolate frosting, ready to enjoy.](https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Yellow-Cake-1.jpg)
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.
![Two images showing wet ingredients combined for a yellow cake batter, then after the dry ingredients are folded in.](https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Yellow-Cake-2.jpg)
Bake: Divide the batter evenly in the pans then bake for 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.
![Two cake pans filled with freshly baked Yellow Cake, golden brown.](https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Yellow-Cake-3.jpg)
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.
![Two images showing how to make homemade chocolate frosting, first combining melted butter and cocoa, then after the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk are mixed in.](https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Yellow-Cake-4.jpg)
Frost Cake: Once the cake has cooled completely, frost this easy yellow cake recipe with chocolate frosting.
![Two images showing how to frost a yellow cake with chocolate frosting.](https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Yellow-Cake-5.jpg)
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
![A slice of homemade Yellow Cake recipe with chocolate frosting, ready to enjoy.](https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Yellow-Cake-1-500x500.jpg)
Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Equipment
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.
- 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
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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I originally shared this recipe May 2019. Updated August 2023.
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Great texture. Even my hubby so commented. Rose beautifully. Delish.
My cake is moist and delicious! This recipe is definitely a keeper. Thanks
My cake is moist and delicious! This recipe is definitely a kerper. Thanks
I used full milk yoghurt instead of milk for the frosting. Everyone loved the cupcakes.