Homemade Yellow Cake Recipe

Active Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 10 mins

Yield:

2 cake layers

Yellow cake may seem simple, but there's nothing more exciting than the possibilities that lie ahead when it comes to this classic recipe. After all, a yellow cake lends itself to all sorts of festivities and frostings.

Want to celebrate a birthday? Top it with whipped cream frosting, cursive birthday wishes, and candles. Dress it up for a wedding with layers covered in vanilla buttercream and fresh blooms, or make it a special weeknight with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles. Name the occasion, and a classic yellow cake is always the right choice.

Our yellow cake recipe comes from the Southern Living recipe archives, and it's just as tasty today as it was when grandma made it decades ago. If you're looking for a little variation on this ready-for-anything, timeless cake, we've even got some ideas of how to switch it up.

Learn how to make yellow cake, and then pick your favorite frosting and decorations. It's always fun to make a beautiful cake!

Ingredients for Homemade Yellow Cake

You won't need to run to the supermarket to whip up this homemade cake—baking staples are all that's needed to get the job done. To make homemade yellow cake, you'll need:

Cooking spray: To grease the cake pans before coating with flour for easy cake removal.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake batter.
Unsalted butter: Gives the cake a rich, buttery crumb.
Large eggs: Binds the batter.
All-purpose flour: Gives the cake its structure.
Baking powder: Leavening agent to give the cake its rise.
Table salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
Whole milk: Adds moisture and tenderness.
Vanilla extract: For depth of flavor.

How To Make Homemade Yellow Cake

Just 10 minutes of active time is all it takes for two cake layers that are ready to frost. Could making a homemade layer cake get any easier? Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Prepare pans and oven: Spray to coat two round cake pans, and dust with flour. You can line the cake pans with parchment rounds if you wish. Just be sure to lightly grease the parchment, too.
Step 2. Cream butter and sugar: Beat sugar and butter until fluffy. Add eggs, beating well after each addition.
Step 3. Add dry ingredients: Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add alternately to butter mixture with milk in two batches, beating after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
Step 4. Bake and cool: Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then invert cake layers onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Homemade Yellow Cake Variations

To add some variety to these yellow cake layers, consider these variation ideas:

Spice cake: Prepare recipe as directed, stirring 1/2 tsp. each ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground allspice into flour at beginning of Step 2.
Chocolate cake: Prepare recipe as directed, beating 3 (1-oz.) unsweetened chocolate squares, melted, into butter-sugar-egg mixture at end of Step 1.
Lemon poppy: Stir in lemon zest and poppy seeds before portioning into pans.
Coconut: Stir shredded coconut (and coconut extract, if desired) into the batter.
Almond: Swap the vanilla with almond extract, and sprinkle in sliced almonds before baking.
Orange: Swap the vanilla with orange extract or orange blossom water, along with orange zest for a citrusy touch.
Fruit: Dot the cake layers with fresh berries, cherries, or other favorite fruits before baking.
Nuts: Sprinkle in chopped pecans, almonds, walnuts, or other nuts before baking.
Maple pecan: Add chopped pecans and maple extract to the batter.
Marble: Transfer a small amount of batter to a small bowl, and mix in cocoa powder and a splash of water. Swirl this chocolate batter into the vanilla after portioning into the cake pans for a marbled look.
Confetti: Fold in sprinkles before baking.

Our Tips for the Best Homemade Yellow Cake

For the best looking and tasting yellow cake, keep these tips in mind:

Grease the pans: Make sure your cakes release easily from the pans by thoroughly greasing and flouring the cake pans. You can also use rounds of parchment paper for extra insurance.
Cream until light and fluffy: For a tender crumb, incorporate air into the mix by creaming your butter and sugar until light and fluffy before proceeding with the recipe.
Don't overmix: Avoid overmixing once the dry ingredients are added to keep your cake tender and avoid a dense, heavy result.
Avoid overbaking: Bake only until a wooden pick inserted into the centers of the cakes comes out clean to keep your cake moist.
Cool completely on racks: Cool completely before frosting to keep your cake in place, and use a wire rack to ensure good air flow.

Favorite Frostings To Pair With Yellow Cake

Yellow cake is the perfect base for just about any frosting. Feel free to get creative depending on who you're serving and the occasion at hand. To get you started, here are some of our favorites:

Can I Make Homemade Yellow Cake Ahead?

Yellow cake can be made far in advance so you're ready to throw together a layer cake any time the mood strikes. Bake the cake layers and cool completely before wrapping tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to two days or freeze for up to three months. Bring to room temperature before frosting and garnishing as desired.

You can add extra moisture, if needed, by brushing the layers with a cake soak before stacking.

More Layer Cake Recipes You'll Love

Layer cakes are a timeless favorite, guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering. These cakes, with moist cake layers, creamy fillings, and decadent frostings, are no exception:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

Cooking spray
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup (8 oz.) unsalted butter, softened
5 large eggs
3 cups (about 12 3/4 oz.) all-purpose flour, sifted, plus more for pans and work surface
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. table salt
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Prepare pans and oven:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray; dust with flour.
Cream butter and sugar:

Beat sugar and butter with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add dry ingredients to butter mixture:

Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl until combined; add to butter mixture alternately with milk in 2 batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating on low speed until incorporated after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
Bake cakes:

Pour batter evenly into prepared cake pans. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean, 25 to 28 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove layers from pans, and let cool completely on a wire rack, about 30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my yellow cake dry?

Make sure to spoon and level your dry ingredients, and avoid overbaking the cake, as both can lead to a dry result. If needed, add back some lost moisture by using a cake soak.
What gives yellow cake its color?

Yellow cake gets its color from the use of whole eggs in the mix. Egg yolks provide a pale yellow hue.
Is this cake sturdy enough for stacking?

Yes, this cake can be stacked and used for a variety of layer cakes.