Easy Homemade Yellow Cake Recipe From Scratch!

If you’ve ever tasted a perfectly moist yellow cake with that soft buttery crumb, then you already know why it’s a classic. Yellow cake isn’t flashy, but it holds its own—whether layered with chocolate frosting, topped with fresh fruit, or simply eaten warm out of the oven. And the best part? You don’t need a box mix to enjoy it at home. With just a few pantry staples and a little kitchen love, you can bake your own yellow cake from scratch that tastes better than anything store-bought.

Let’s talk about how to make it, why it works, and a few delicious twists to keep things interesting.

What Makes Yellow Cake Different?

Yellow cake gets its name—and beautiful golden color—from a generous amount of egg yolks and butter. It’s richer than white cake but not as dense as pound cake. Think soft, slightly dense, and incredibly moist.

It’s often paired with chocolate frosting, but truthfully, it goes with just about anything. Cream cheese frosting? Yes. Whipped cream and berries? Absolutely. Warm with ice cream? Do it.

Simple Homemade Yellow Cake Recipe

Here’s a basic recipe to get you started. It’s easy, foolproof, and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 4 large egg yolks
• 2 large whole eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk (room temperature)

Directions:

1. Prep your oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cream butter and sugar: Using a mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This helps with texture and lift.
4. Add eggs: Mix in egg yolks one at a time, then the whole eggs. Beat until well combined, then stir in vanilla.
5. Combine: Add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk. Start and end with flour.
6. Bake: Divide the batter evenly into pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool: Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Easy Frosting Ideas

While chocolate buttercream is the traditional go-to, you’ve got options:

• Classic chocolate fudge frosting
• Cream cheese with a hint of lemon zest
• Vanilla bean buttercream
• Peanut butter frosting for a salty-sweet combo

Fun Variations

Once you master the base, you can get creative:

• Add mini chocolate chips to the batter for a surprise crunch.
• Swirl in raspberry jam before baking for a fruity twist.
• Use it as a base for a trifle or layered dessert with custard and fruit.

Final Thoughts

Yellow cake is comfort food at its best. Whether it’s for a birthday, a weekend treat, or just because, baking this cake from scratch brings that extra level of homemade goodness. It’s simple, nostalgic, and full of rich flavor that only real ingredients can deliver.

Next time you’re craving something sweet, skip the box and bake your own yellow cake. Your kitchen will smell amazing—and your tastebuds will thank you.