Sunny Yellow Velvet Cake Recipe: A Bright Twist on Classic Dessert

Baking a delightful yellow velvet cake brings pure joy to any kitchen adventure.

Soft, golden layers promise a decadent dessert that melts in your mouth.

Subtle vanilla notes dance through each tender crumb, creating a sophisticated treat.

Home bakers adore this classic recipe for its simplicity and elegant charm.

Rich, buttery textures complement the smooth cream cheese frosting perfectly.

Culinary magic awaits as you whisk together these delectable ingredients.

Prepare to impress everyone with this irresistible sweet masterpiece that sparks instant smiles.

Timeless Yellow Velvet Cake Love

• Craft a Sunny Showstopper: This yellow velvet cake brings vibrant color and cheerful vibes to any gathering, making it a perfect centerpiece dessert that catches everyone's eye.
• Master Simple Baking Magic: With straightforward ingredients and basic mixing techniques, bakers of all skill levels can create a professional-looking cake without complex steps or advanced pastry skills.
• Customize Your Sweet Creation: The recipe offers flexibility with optional food coloring and allows for personal touches, letting home bakers express their creativity and adapt the cake to different celebrations.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Treat: Soft, moist texture and classic flavor profile make this cake universally appealing, guaranteed to delight both kids and adults at family events, birthdays, or casual get-togethers.

Yellow Velvet Cake Essential Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cake that provides structure and texture.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake by balancing the sweetness.

• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake crumb.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and contributes to the cake's soft texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and helps keep the cake soft and tender.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor to the yellow velvet cake.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a soft, moist cake texture.

• Yellow Food Coloring: Gives the cake its signature vibrant yellow color.

Simple Instructions for Yellow Velvet Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Get your oven warmed up to 350F. Grab two round cake pans and generously coat them with butter and flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk everything together until well blended and set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

Using an electric mixer, blend sugar, softened butter, and vegetable oil until the mixture becomes light, airy, and fluffy.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs

• First egg
• Second egg
• Third egg

Beat thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract for extra flavor depth.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Components

• Start with dry ingredients
• Add buttermilk
• Alternate between dry and wet

Mix gently until ingredients are just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 6: Add Sunshine Color

If desired, add yellow food coloring and mix until the batter looks evenly sunny and bright.

Step 7: Fill Cake Pans

Divide batter equally between the two prepared cake pans.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide pans into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 9: Cool and Prepare

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before frosting or serving.

Pro Tips for a Flawless Yellow Velvet Cake

• Master Color Control: Add food coloring gradually to achieve your perfect sunny yellow shade without overwhelming the cake's delicate flavor.
• Prevent Dry Edges: Check cake doneness early, removing from oven when a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs to maintain a tender texture.
• Maximize Buttermilk Magic: Use room temperature buttermilk for smoother batter integration and more consistent cake rise during baking.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Replace vanilla extract with clear vanilla to maintain the bright yellow color while enhancing the cake's sweetness.
• Create Smooth Layers: Let cake cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure clean, professional-looking cake layers.

Variations to Elevate Yellow Velvet Cake

• Lemon Velvet Cake: Replace vanilla extract with fresh lemon zest and lemon juice for a citrusy flavor profile. Add a light lemon cream cheese frosting to complement the cake.
• Gluten-Free Yellow Velvet Cake: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly option.
• Vegan Yellow Cake: Replace eggs with mashed bananas or applesauce. Use plant-based butter and dairy-free milk alternative. Swap regular buttermilk with coconut or almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar.
• Low-Sugar Yellow Velvet Cake: Reduce sugar content by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Replace part of the sugar with unsweetened applesauce to maintain moisture and texture.

Pairing Ideas for Yellow Velvet Cake

• Citrus Sunshine Spritzer: Craft a refreshing lemonade with fresh mint and sparkling water to complement the cake's sweet profile and light yellow tone.
• Creamy Champagne Dream: Select a crisp, dry champagne or prosecco that cuts through the cake's richness and enhances its delicate flavor.
• Tea Time Elegance: Brew a subtle Earl Grey or chamomile tea to provide a gentle, aromatic backdrop that balances the cake's sweetness.
• Golden Dessert Wine: Choose a light Moscato or Sauternes with honeyed notes that mirror the cake's sunny color and smooth texture.

How to Store Yellow Velvet Cake Properly

• Store covered cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual cake layers or slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Keep cake covered at room temperature for 1-2 days if your kitchen is cool and dry. Use a cake dome or container with a tight-fitting lid.
• Cut remaining cake into individual portions, wrap separately, and store in refrigerator for easier grab-and-go snacking.

Yellow Velvet Cake Frequently Asked Questions

• What makes Yellow Velvet Cake different from Red Velvet Cake?

Unlike Red Velvet Cake, Yellow Velvet Cake uses yellow food coloring instead of red, and has a vanilla-based flavor profile without cocoa powder.

• Can I make this cake without food coloring?

Yes, you can skip the food coloring and still have a delicious vanilla cake. The color won’t be yellow, but the taste will remain the same.

• Why does the recipe use both butter and oil?

The combination of butter and oil ensures the cake is moist and tender while providing rich flavor from the butter and softness from the oil.

Yellow Velvet Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 40-50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Luscious yellow velvet cake brings sunshine to dessert tables with its golden crumb and silky cream cheese frosting. Sweet Southern charm meets classic baking tradition, inviting you to savor each delightful, tender slice.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 2 1/2 cups (300 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons (12.5 milliliters) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) salt
• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk

Additional Ingredient:

• Yellow food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans with grease and flour coating.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, then set aside for later integration.
3. Cream sugar, softened butter, and vegetable oil in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes airy and pale.
4. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough blending after each addition, then introduce vanilla extract for enhanced flavor profile.
5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk, always starting and concluding with dry ingredients. Mix until ingredients are just harmonized.
6. Enhance cake’s visual appeal by adding yellow food coloring, stirring until color distributes uniformly throughout the batter.
7. Distribute batter evenly between prepared cake pans, ensuring balanced volume and consistent thickness.
8. Position pans in preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into cake’s center – it should emerge clean and dry.
9. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to wire cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and better cake texture.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake by stopping when ingredients are just combined.
• Substitute natural yellow coloring like turmeric or saffron for a healthier alternative to artificial food dye.
• For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better structure.

• Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 355 kcal
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 190 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg