Yellow Layer Cake

Name: Yellow Layer Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 58 min
Cuisine: American
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*; 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

Prep:30minCook:28min

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.

Updated at: Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:07:37 GMT