Yellow Cake

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 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. 

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.

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

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