Soft and buttery with an extra moist crumb, this is the best yellow cake I’ve ever had. After several rounds of recipe testing, I found the secret to the most delicious yellow birthday cake is a combination of cake flour, extra egg yolks, whipped egg whites, and buttermilk. Cover this cake with my rich and creamy chocolate buttercream for the ultimate celebratory birthday cake!
I originally published this recipe in 2020 and have since made a few small changes to the recipe, including a little extra cake flour and baking soda to help prevent the cake from sinking and tasting gummy; and replaced some of the butter with oil, for an extra moist crumb.
This Is the Best Yellow Cake I’ve Ever Had
After zebra cake, 9×13-inch yellow cake, white cake, vanilla cake, and all of the other recipes in between, I’ve been trying to perfect this quintessential layer cake for years on end. I’ve tasted cakes from a box mix and restaurant-quality yellow cakes, bakery cakes and professionals’ homemade variations, and I can honestly say that this is the best yellow cake I’ve ever had.
Using a careful mix of cake flour, fluffy egg whites, extra egg yolks, and buttermilk, as well as starting with a base of creamed butter and sugar plus a touch of oil, this yellow cake is soft and buttery with an extra moist crumb. If cakes could talk, this one would brag.
Why This Recipe Works
This yellow layer cake has undergone many, many rounds of testing, so you can be sure that there are reasons for each and every step and ingredient.
I don’t recommend making any substitutions for this recipe.
If baking could withstand shortcuts, I’d take them, but we don’t want to mess around here. Remember, baking is a science!
Key Ingredients You Need & Why
- Cake Flour: Cake flour is almost 30x finer than all-purpose flour. Using it is a surefire way to achieve a delicate, soft-as-a-pillow texture. All-purpose flour, even when combined with cornstarch to make a cake flour substitute, is simply too heavy for this recipe. You need real cake flour for this yellow cake.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: This balanced combination provides the right amount of lift. It even inspired me to change/improve the leaveners in the 9×13-inch yellow cake, too.
- Butter: You can’t have a buttery yellow cake without real butter! The base of this batter starts with creamed room-temperature butter and sugar.
- Oil: This is a more recent addition to this recipe, and it’s in direct response to some reader reviews. (We appreciate your feedback, always!) To prevent this butter and egg–heavy cake from being overly dense or dry, vegetable oil now takes the place of *some* of the butter. The butter is essential for flavor in a yellow cake, but oil adds moisture and keeps the crumb a bit lighter.
- Extra Egg Yolks: Eggs play a big role in today’s recipe. You need 4 eggs total—2 whole eggs plus an additional 2 egg yolks. This equals 4 egg yolks and 2 egg whites. Additional egg yolks add richness, tenderness, and flavor… plus natural yellow color for this yellow cake! You’ll need to separate 4 eggs, and you’ll have 2 egg whites left over (make an egg white omelette, or here are some recipes using only egg whites).
- Whipped Egg Whites: For the 2 egg whites going into the cake, we need to take them a step further to help fluff up the cake’s structure. After all, this is a butter and egg yolk–heavy cake. Whip the egg whites separately, then fold them in.
- Cream of Tartar: Cream of tartar, a dry acid, is whipped egg whites’ best friend. It helps with stability, volume, and keeps the air in the egg whites suspended so they hold shape when mixed into the heavy cake batter.
- Buttermilk: I tried a mix of sour cream and whole milk, but taste testers enjoyed the buttermilk version much, much better. Adding flavor and moisture, buttermilk is used in many baking recipes including this confetti cake. See recipe Note about a DIY buttermilk substitute.
Granulated sugar, salt, and pure vanilla extract round out the ingredient list. Feel free to use vanilla bean paste if you have it.
Let’s Make a Perfect Yellow Cake
Whisk together your dry ingredients, as instructed below. Then, make sure the butter and sugar are properly creamed. If you need a refresher, here is my tutorial on how to cream butter and sugar.
Then add in the remaining wet ingredients (except for the egg whites).
Whip the egg whites and cream of tartar together, then fold them into the cake batter. The cake batter will be thick, but the fluffy egg whites lighten it up.
Divide the batter between two round cake pans. For this recipe, you need 2 9-inch cake pans. Grease them, line with a parchment round, then grease the parchment round. Bake the cakes, and then cool for 1 hour in the pans set on a cooling rack.
Chocolate Frosting for Yellow Birthday Cake
Like my triple chocolate cake, I use my favorite chocolate buttercream. Because there is no leavening occurring, you can use either Dutch-process or natural cocoa powder in the buttercream. Heavy cream provides an extra creamy frosting, but milk can be substituted if needed.
This frosting is a little fluffier than the chocolate fudge frosting on the yellow sheet cake. Feel free to swap frostings, or use the the vanilla buttercream from this white cake recipe!
How to Assemble & Frost a Layer Cake
After your cakes are cool, run a knife around the edges of the cake to help release them from the pans.
If your cakes are domed on top, level them after they cool. I use a serrated knife.
To ensure the layer cake is stable, it’s important to apply a crumb coat. A crumb coat is a thin layer of frosting on the exterior of the cake that locks in any loose crumbs and helps stabilize the layers. The edges of today’s cake layers are crumbly, so a crumb cake is especially useful.
If you need more guidance and some handy visuals, here’s my how to assemble a layer cake video.
After you stack the 2 layers with frosting in between, cover the top and sides of the 2-layer cake with a very thin layer of frosting (about 1 cup). If desired, run a bench scraper around the cake to help smooth out the frosting.
Refrigerate the uncovered cake for at least 20 minutes and up to 1 hour to “set” the crumb coat. Then cover the top and sides with the remaining frosting.
Yellow Cake Success Tips
- Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature. When ingredients are the same temperature, they bind together more readily than if you had some cold and some warmer ingredients. Separating eggs is easier when the eggs are cold, so separate them first, then let them come to room temperature before you begin.
- Prep Your Pans: Grease and line your cake pans with parchment paper rounds, to help the cakes seamlessly release from the pans. If you need recommendations for round cake pans, I really like Fat Daddio’s pans and these Wilton cake pans.
- Apply a Crumb Coat: The edges of this cake can be a bit crumbly, so taking the time to do a crumb coat is extra important!
Other Size Yellow Cakes
This cake batter is best for a 2-layer 9-inch cake (I use and love these 9-inch round cake pans). This recipe yields about 5–6 cups of batter, which is helpful if you need it for different Cake Pan Sizes & Conversions.
Other Sizes:
- 9×13-Inch Cake: You can bake this yellow cake in a 9×13-inch baking pan (bake time will be a bit longer), but I found it tasted on the heavier side. Instead, I recommend my recipe for yellow sheet cake.
- Cupcakes: Here is my favorite yellow cupcakes recipe, which includes directions for mini cupcakes too. Same unbelievable texture as this cake!
- 6-Inch Layer Cake: The yellow cupcakes recipe also makes the right amount of batter for a 3-layer 6-inch cake.
Yellow Layer Cake
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Yield: serves 12
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
After years of recipe testing, this is the best yellow cake I’ve ever had. Soft, buttery, and incredibly moist, it’s made with cake flour, whipped egg whites, extra egg yolks, and buttermilk for the ultimate homemade birthday cake. See above for different pan options. For best success, follow this recipe closely and don’t make any ingredient substitutions.
Ingredients
- 2 and 1/2 cups (285g) cake flour (spooned & leveled)*
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature*
- 1 and 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup (75g/80ml) vegetable oil
- 4 large egg yolks, at room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240g/ml) buttermilk, at room temperature*
- 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar*
Chocolate Buttercream
- 1 and 1/4 cups (282g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 and 1/2 cups (420g) confectioners’ sugar
- 3/4 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process)
- 3–5 Tablespoons (45–75g/ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half or milk), at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- optional for decoration: sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line with parchment paper rounds, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans. (If it’s helpful, see this parchment paper rounds for cakes video & post.) I recommend using nonstick spray for greasing.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
- In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula as needed. (Here’s a helpful tutorial if you need guidance on how to cream butter and sugar.) Add the oil and beat for 1 minute until combined. Beat in the 4 egg yolks one at a time, letting each egg yolk fully incorporate before adding the next. Beat in the vanilla extract until combined.
- Add about 1/3 of the dry ingredients and 1/2 of the buttermilk and beat on low speed until combined. Add 1/3 more of the dry ingredients and the rest of the buttermilk and beat on low speed until combined. Add the rest of the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until combined. The batter will be very thick. You may need to whisk it all by hand to make sure there are no lumps at the bottom of the bowl. Set aside.
- In another large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar together on high speed until fluffy, medium-stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes.
- Fold the whipped egg whites into the cake batter. Work slowly and gently, as you don’t want to deflate the egg whites. Pour/spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
- Bake for 27–31 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans set on a cooling rack for 1 hour. Run a knife around the edges to loosen the sides, remove the cakes from the pans, peel off the parchment, and place on the rack to finish cooling. The edges of the cakes can be crumbly; this is normal. The cakes must be completely cool before frosting and assembling.
- Make the frosting: In a large bowl with a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, 3 Tablespoons of heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for 1 full minute. Do not over-whip. Add 1/4 cup (30g) more confectioners’ sugar if frosting is too thin or 1–2 more Tablespoons of cream if frosting is too thick. Taste. Add another pinch of salt if desired.
- Assemble and frost: (For additional help with this step, see this how to assemble a layer cake video & post.) First, using a large serrated knife, slice a thin layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. Discard (or crumble over ice cream!). Place one cake layer on your cake stand, cake turntable, or serving plate. Spread about 3/4–1 cup (180–240g) of frosting in an even layer on top. Top with the second cake layer and spread about 1 cup (240g) of buttercream in a very thin layer over the top and sides to make the crumb coat. If desired, run a bench scraper around the cake to help smooth out the frosting on the sides. Refrigerate the cake until the crumb coat has set, about 20 minutes. Finish by spreading the top and sides with the remaining buttercream. Decorate the cake with sprinkles, if desired. For extra neat slices, refrigerate the cake for 30–60 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting.
- Cover leftover cake tightly and store at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If the cake has been stored in the refrigerator, let the cake sit out at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to soften up again before serving.
Notes
- Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: Prepare cake through step 8. Wrap the individual baked and cooled cake layers tightly and keep at room temperature for 1 day or freeze up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature (if frozen), then continue with step 9. Frosting can also be made 1 day ahead of time. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Bring frosting to room temperature, then beat the frosting on medium speed for a few seconds so it’s creamy again. Adding a splash of cream or milk will help thin the frosting out, if needed. Frosted cake freezes well, up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before serving. See How to Freeze Cakes.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): 9-inch Round Cake Pans | Glass Mixing Bowls | Whisk | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Silicone Spatula | Cooling Rack | Cake Turntable | Icing Spatula | Bench Scraper | Cake Carrier (for storage)
- Update in 2026: The original recipe called for 1 cup (226g) of butter and no oil. We reduced the butter and added a little oil to lighten the crumb and help prevent the cake from becoming overly dense.
- Cake Flour: Cake flour is key in this recipe. Do not use any cake flour substitutes.
- Eggs: You need 4 egg yolks and 2 egg whites in this cake batter, which means you’ll start with 4 whole eggs and have 2 egg whites leftover for another use. It’s easiest to separate eggs when they’re cold. The eggs must be at room temperature to whip properly, so after you separate the eggs, cover the yolks and egg whites separately and let them sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before beginning the recipe.
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk is required for this recipe. You can make your own DIY buttermilk substitute by measuring 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar in a measuring glass. Add enough milk (whole milk is best—lower-fat or nondairy milks work in a pinch, but the cake won’t taste as moist or rich) in the same measuring glass to reach 1 cup. Stir it around and let sit for 5 minutes. The soured milk will be somewhat curdled and ready to use in your recipe.
- Cream of Tartar: This is an important ingredient that helps the egg whites whip into lofty, fluffy peaks and hold their shape when folded into the heavy cake batter. You can skip it if needed and whip the egg whites by themselves, but the cake will be a little denser.
- Amount of Cake Batter: This recipe yields about 5–6 cups of batter, which is helpful if you need it for different Cake Pan Sizes & Conversions. This recipe is too large for two 8-inch round cake pans.
- 9×13-Inch Pan: You can bake this batter in a 9×13-inch baking pan (bake time will be longer, around 30–35 minutes), but we recommend this similar recipe for yellow sheet cake, which uses mostly the same ingredients.
- 3-Layer Cake: You can also prepare this cake as a 3-layer cake. Divide the batter between three 8-inch or 9-inch cake pans and bake for 22–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The frosting recipe written will be enough for thin layers of frosting; you can double my chocolate buttercream recipe (simply double each ingredient) if you want a lot of frosting.
- Yellow Cupcakes: Here is my favorite yellow cupcakes recipe, which includes directions for mini cupcakes too. Same unbelievable texture as this cake! If you need more than 1 dozen yellow cupcakes, use this yellow cake recipe for between 2–3 dozen and follow the same baking instructions as my yellow cupcakes.
Reader Comments and Reviews
Can I use all purpose flour instead of cake flour ?
Hi Judith! Sally addresses this in the post above, so I’ll share that bit here: Cake flour is almost 30x finer than all-purpose flour. Using it is a surefire way to achieve a delicate, soft-as-a-pillow texture. All-purpose flour, even when combined with cornstarch to make a cake flour substitute, is simply too heavy for this recipe. You need real cake flour for this yellow cake.
The cake came out great. I frosted and put it in the fridge for about 24 hours. No more than that. It was covered in a cake container. But when I went to cut it the next day, it was dry and crumbly. Please, Tell me what I did wrong. Thank you for your help.
Hi Andrea! Storing cakes in the fridge can dry them out. We recommend storing at room temperature overnight if you make it a day ahead. And if you do refrigerate it, make sure to let it sit at room temperature for a while before serving.
If this cake is incredible as many have said, why not use it for cupcakes or a smaller cake. Why go to a different recipe?
Hi Susan, you can certainly use this recipe for cupcakes, or scale it down to make a smaller cake. We have not tested this exact recipe for a smaller 6-inch cake, which is why I recommended the cupcake batter. Also, we found that we like the mix of sour cream and whole milk better for the sheet cake (9×13-inch pan). The flavors/textures are all very, very similar so feel free to use this batter/recipe in other pans.
Amazing cake! I’ve made it for birthdays and special occasions and it always turns out well and is such a hit.
If you’re a peanut butter fan I highly recommend using Sally’s peanut butter frosting in between the two layers and doing the chocolate on the top and sides. It’s like eating the world’s best gourmet Kandy Kake
Hi,
Can I double this recipe to make a three or four layer cake? Or will doubling mess with the how it turns out?
Hi Ellie, see recipe Notes for details on a 3-layer cake. Enjoy!
Delicious and easy! I’m not much of a cake baker but yellow cake with chocolate frosting is my boyfriend’s favorite so I wanted to make this for him for his birthday.
It came together really easily and I was so pleased with the results! I’ve tried other yellow cake recipes in the past and they were just ok. This one is exceptional.
I followed the recipe exactly, except I realized I forgot buttermilk so I made my own with white vinegar and 2% milk. The cake was a hit and will be making regular appearances for birthdays and celebrations from now on!
Update: I followed your advice and used the Yellow Sheet Cake for my coconut pecan chocolate chip coffee cake. It was AMAZING! Everyone raved! Thank you so much!!!
Hi Sally, I have a recipe for a coconut pecan chocolate chip coffee cake that calls for a box mix yellow cake. I’d rather make homemade. In my recipe, you put half the batter, then half of the coconut pecan chocolate chip crumble, then the rest of the batter and the rest of the crumble on top. My question is would you suggest I experiment with your “best yellow cake I’ve ever had” or your yellow sheet cake?
Hi Susan, does your recipe call for baking in a 9×13-inch pan? If so, we’d recommend using our yellow sheet cake. Let us know how it goes!
Yes, 9×13. Thank you, I’ll do the yellow sheet cake and let you know!
The cake turned out great for me. I did find it easier to change the order of operations and whip the egg whites first, set them aside in a small bowl and then make the cake batter. No need to wash the bowl in between, which wouldn’t have been the case doing it in the order in the recipe. If you have an extra mixer bowl or a hand mixer I suppose it doesn’t matter. But I don’t, so I saved myself an extra washing step.
Sally, please help me. I have two round 6×2 inch cake pans but I don’t know how to reduce your recipe for these pans. I’ve tried twice and had to throw the 2 cakes away. One was too hard and the other isn’t sweet enough. I really want to try this cake and I don’t want to mess it up.
Can you give me the measurements for two 6×2 cake pans?
I would be much appreciative.
Hi Dee, we’re unsure exactly how much batter you would need, but we would use our cake pans sizes and conversions guide. Or, you could start with our yellow cupcakes recipe, which makes the perfect amount for a three layer 6 inch cake.
I’ve been baking cakes for half my life. I’ve even done it professionally. I made this twice, first time in a silicone pan and second in a metal. Both times the cake fell to pieces when turning out. I am baffled. I followed it exactly as written and just disaster both times. Fully cooled. It’s now 1AM, 12 hours before I’m supposed to bring a cake to a wedding and I’m crying in my kitchen with a perfect frosting, filling, flowers and decorations for the top of my non existent cake. Never, ever making this again.
Great recipe! Only wish it had the yellow color. I followed directions. I used 4 large egg yolks and two egg whites per instructions but ended up with white cake.