Easy Yellow Cake Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting

I’m a big fan of making cake recipes from scratch. While box mixes are convenient, you just can’t beat the taste of a dessert that is truly homemade. They’re just so much better! Soft and amazingly tender, perfectly sweet, deliciously indulgent, this cake is everything you could want in a yellow cake and more. Plus it’s easy to prepare! Its tantalizing flavor will leave you convinced this homemade cake is the only way to go. No matter the occasion, this moist yellow cake recipe is always a crowd pleaser. With its homestyle sweet vanilla flavor, paired with that sophisticated rich chocolate flavor atop, it is destined to impress. This cake proves that sometimes it’s the simplest things that are the best!

What is yellow cake flavor?

Despite its golden, yellow appearance, the cake itself has a simple vanilla flavor. It’s yellow color simply comes from the egg yolks in the cake. You’ll find that yellow cake is most commonly paired with chocolate frosting, creating a marbled flavor effect which balances out the deep chocolate taste with sweet notes of vanilla.

Homemade Yellow Cake Recipe Ingredients

Flour: I use a combination of cake flour and all-purpose flour to create a light, airy texture and a tender crumb. I haven’t tested any gluten-free flour options with this recipe, but please let us know how it goes if you do. Baking powder and baking soda: When combined, these ingredients allow the batter to rise and become fluffy as it bakes. For the best results, make sure they’re fresh. Salt Granulated sugar Unsalted butter: Allow it to come to room temperature before baking. I don’t recommend microwave softening. Vegetable oil: Used in combination with the butter, vegetable oil helps enhance the buttery flavor while keeping the cake extra moist. Eggs and egg yolks: The use of both eggs and egg yolks is crucial to creating the custardy flavor that sets yellow cake apart from other cake recipes. Buttermilk: Buttermilk: A natural tenderizer, this contributes to the soft, moist texture of the cake while adding a hint of tangy flavor that balances out the sugar and fat. You could sub the buttermilk subsistute here (1 cup minus 1 Tbsp milk mixed with 1 Tbsp lemon juice). Vanilla extract Chocolate Buttercream frosting ingredients

Alternative Frosting Options

I’m partial to the melt-in-your-mouth quality of chocolate buttercream frosting, but any frosting you like best can be used! For example, classic buttercream, strawberry buttercream frosting, cream cheese frosting, or salted caramel are all great options.

How to Make the Best Yellow Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting:

Helpful Tips

How to Store

Transfer leftover yellow cake to an airtight container to prevent it from becoming try. Store the fridge for up to 4 days. Let it sit out and come to room temperature to serve.

Can I freeze yellow cake?

Yes, you can freeze yellow cake. It will keep frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before serving.

Can I make this in a 13 by 9-inch pan?

This can also be baked in a greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes.

Can I make yellow cake cupcakes?

Yes this batter will work for cupcakes as well. Place cupcakes liners in a muffin pan and fill 2/3 full. Bake for about 20 minutes.

What’s the difference between yellow cake and vanilla cake?

Yellow cake is a type of vanilla cake that has a yellow hue because it contains eggs, egg yolks, and butter. The confusion often stems from white cakes, which are another form of vanilla cake that use only egg whites along with a combination of butter and sometimes shortening to achieve a pure color. Both have a similar vanilla flavor, with yellow cakes being slightly more buttery.

Can I make this yellow cake recipe without buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily create homemade buttermilk in a matter of minutes. Combine 1 cup minus 1 Tbsp of regular cow’s milk (anything but skim), with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Gently stir the ingredients together, and set them aside to curdle. Proceed with the yellow cake recipe as normal.