Golden Sunshine: Ina’s Dreamy Yellow Cake Recipe

Sunshine-bright yellow cake beckons dessert lovers with its velvety allure, promising pure culinary bliss.

This golden classic whispers memories of childhood celebrations, transforming simple ingredients into edible magic.

Every slice tells a story of comfort and warmth, dancing with buttery richness that captivates taste buds.

Professional and home bakers alike treasure this versatile recipe for its remarkable simplicity.

The aroma of vanilla and butter creates an irresistible kitchen symphony, promising pure deliciousness.

Each carefully mixed batter holds the potential for celebration, turning ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences.

Get ready to fall in love with a dessert that brings pure joy to your table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 8

Inside Ina Garten’s Yellow Cake Recipe

• All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached, high-quality flour for better texture and flavor.
• Baking Powder: Fresh and active powder ensures proper cake rising.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a tender, delicate cake crumb.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter: Select European-style butter for richer, more intense flavor.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps create a softer cake texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Use pure, high-quality extract for deep, authentic flavor.
• Buttermilk: Brings tanginess and helps activate baking powder.
• Whole Eggs, Egg Yolks: Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly.

• Cocoa Powder: Dutch-processed works best for deep chocolate taste.
• Semisweet Chocolate: High-quality chocolate creates smoother, more luxurious frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sift to eliminate lumps for silky frosting.
• Milk: Helps create creamy, spreadable consistency.
• Cocoa Butter: Adds richness and glossy finish to chocolate frosting.

Baking Tools for Ina Garten’s Yellow Cake

• Stand Mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and creating smooth cake batters quickly and efficiently.
• Medium Mixing Bowls: Essential for whisking dry ingredients and combining cake components.
• Six-inch Round Cake Pans: Provides the exact size needed for layering this delightful cake.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients and create lump-free mixtures.
• Toothpicks: Crucial for checking cake doneness by testing the center.
• Wire Cooling Racks: Allows cakes to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Offset Spatula: Helps spread frosting smoothly and create professional-looking cake surfaces.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient measurements for perfect results.
• Mixing Spatula: Great for folding and scraping batter during preparation.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Fluffy Yellow Cake

Whip Up A Decadent Chocolate Layer Cake

• Prep Your Baking Station

Grab your cake pans and give them a generous coating of butter and flour. Set your oven to a cozy 350°F, creating the perfect warm environment for your cake to rise and shine.

• Craft The Cake Batter

In your mixer, whip butter until it’s cloud-like and fluffy. Drizzle in oil and vanilla, then gently fold in eggs one by one. Sift together your dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then slowly marry them with the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Stir just until everything comes together – don’t overwork the batter.

• Bake To Perfection

Pour the silky batter evenly into your prepared pans. Slide them into the warm oven and let magic happen for about 35 minutes. Your cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean and the tops are golden brown. Let the cakes rest briefly in their pans, then transfer to cooling racks.

• Create Luscious Chocolate Frosting

Melt chocolate and butter together into a glossy blend. Whip room temperature butter until it’s light and airy, then slowly incorporate cocoa powder, melted chocolate, and powdered sugar. Keep mixing until the frosting becomes smooth and irresistible.

• Assemble Your Masterpiece

Once the cakes have completely cooled, start layering. Spread generous waves of chocolate frosting between each layer, then cover the entire cake in a luxurious chocolate blanket. Use a smooth motion with your spatula to create a professional finish that’ll make everyone’s mouth water.

Customizing Ina Garten’s Yellow Cake Your Way

Swap cornstarch with cake flour for an even softer, more delicate crumb that melts in your mouth.

Substitute half the cocoa powder with dark cocoa powder to create a richer, more intense chocolate flavor profile that chocolate lovers will adore.

Replace buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar, and use dairy-free butter alternatives to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste or texture.

Chill frosting for 10-15 minutes if it seems too soft, which helps create smoother application and maintains a beautiful, stable cake decoration.

Serving Ideas for Yellow Cake

• Create a Dessert Centerpiece: Arrange the chocolate cake on a elegant cake stand, garnished with fresh berries and a light dusting of cocoa powder for a stunning visual presentation.
• Pair with Complementary Beverages: Serve alongside a steaming cup of espresso or a cold glass of milk to enhance the rich chocolate flavor and provide a delightful contrast.
• Elevate the Experience: Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream next to each slice to create a luxurious and indulgent dessert moment.
• Personalize Your Slice: Offer guests optional toppings like chopped nuts, chocolate shavings, or a drizzle of caramel sauce to customize their cake experience.

How to Keep Ina Garten’s Yellow Cake Fresh

• Preserve Cake Freshness: Store the chocolate cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping it away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Refrigerate for Extended Life: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for 5-7 days, ensuring maximum moisture retention and flavor preservation.
• Freeze for Later Enjoyment: Carefully wrap individual cake layers or the entire frosted cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months, allowing for convenient make-ahead dessert options.
• Thaw with Care: Remove frozen cake from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Allow the cake to come to room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving to restore its soft, delicate texture.

Silky Yellow Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Classic yellow cake from Ina Garten combines rich butter, vanilla, and eggs for a moist, tender dessert perfect for celebrations. Home bakers can easily master this beloved American bakery staple that delights with its simple, comforting flavor profile.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (450g) powdered sugar
• 1 ¼ cups (250g) granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ cups (270g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ¼ cup (35g) corn starch
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 egg yolks
• ⅓ cup semisweet chocolate
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 1 tbsp (15ml) vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp salt (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and thoroughly prepare three 6-inch cake pans by generously greasing and dusting with flour to ensure easy cake removal.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk together flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient blend that will provide structure and texture to the cake.
3. Butter Mixture Creation: Utilize a mixer to cream butter and sugar until dramatically light and airy, then seamlessly incorporate vegetable oil and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture achieves a silky, homogeneous consistency.
4. Egg Integration: Methodically add whole eggs and egg yolks one at a time, ensuring each is completely incorporated before the next addition, which will create a smooth, emulsified base.
5. Batter Development: Alternate adding the reserved dry ingredient mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, gently folding until a luxurious, uniform batter emerges without overmixing.
6. Baking Process: Distribute batter evenly across prepared pans, smoothing surfaces, and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cooling Protocol: Allow cake layers to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling, which prevents moisture retention and ensures optimal texture.
8. Frosting Construction: Melt butter and blend with cocoa powder, simultaneously melting semisweet chocolate with milk, then combine with creamed butter, powdered sugar, creating a glossy, spreadable chocolate frosting.
9. Cake Assembly: Once layers are entirely cooled, generously apply chocolate frosting between each layer and across the entire cake’s exterior, creating a decadent, professional finish.

Notes

• Butter Selection: Use high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature for optimal creaming and smooth texture.
• Egg Integration: Add eggs individually and mix thoroughly to prevent batter separation and ensure consistent cake structure.
• Pan Preparation: Completely coat cake pans with butter and flour to guarantee effortless cake removal without sticking.
• Temperature Precision: Allow ingredients to reach room temperature before mixing to create a more uniform and well-incorporated batter.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 30g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 85mg