Dreamy Yellow Velvet Cake Recipe: Sunshine on a Plate

Crafting a vibrant yellow velvet cake brings pure sunshine to your dessert table.

Layers of soft, golden sponge promise a delightful experience for everyone.

Butter and buttermilk create a tender crumb that melts in your mouth.

Rich egg yolks contribute deep color and luxurious texture to each slice.

Cream cheese frosting adds a tangy contrast that perfectly complements the cake’s sweetness.

Subtle hints of vanilla weave through every delectable bite.

Yellow Velvet Cake’s Golden Charm

• Create Stunning Color: Bring a vibrant yellow sunshine to your dessert table with this unique cake that stands out from traditional chocolate or vanilla options.
• Master Bakery-Level Techniques: Learn professional baking skills like separating egg whites, folding delicate mixtures, and creating smooth cream cheese frosting with straightforward steps.
• Crowd-Pleasing Celebration Dessert: Perfect for birthdays, graduations, or any special gathering where you want to impress guests with a delightful homemade cake that looks professionally crafted.
• Customize Your Culinary Masterpiece: Easily adjust the yellow shade and experiment with different decorating techniques to make this cake truly your own signature dessert.

Ingredients List for Yellow Velvet Cake

• Cake Flour: A fine-textured flour that helps create a soft and tender cake crumb.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become light.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake achieve a proper rise and balances the acidic ingredients.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a smooth, creamy texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with moisture and texture.
• Egg Yolks: Adds richness, color, and helps bind the cake ingredients together.
• Buttermilk: Contributes to the cake's tenderness and adds a subtle tangy flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cake's flavor profile.
• Egg Whites: Creates a lighter, airier texture when whipped and folded into the batter.

• Yellow Food Coloring: Gives the cake its signature vibrant yellow color.
• Cream Cheese: Forms the base of the creamy, tangy frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the cream cheese frosting.

How to Bake the Perfect Yellow Velvet Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Get your oven ready by setting the temperature to 350°F. Generously coat three 8-inch round cake pans with butter and sprinkle flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Cake flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Step 3: Create Butter Base

In a large bowl, blend softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, creating a smooth texture.

Step 4: Incorporate Egg Yolks

Add egg yolks one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract for a rich flavor profile.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually blend flour mixture into butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Start and finish with the flour mixture to ensure even distribution.

Step 6: Whip Egg Whites

In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until they form stiff, glossy peaks. Gently fold these into the cake batter, maintaining the delicate airiness.

Step 7: Add Vibrant Color

Pour in yellow food coloring and mix evenly until you achieve the desired sunny shade.

Step 8: Prepare for Baking

Divide batter equally among prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops for an even surface.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Place pans in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 10: Cool Cake Layers

Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 11: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat softened butter and cream cheese until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until the frosting becomes fluffy.

Step 12: Layer the Cake

Place first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting. Repeat with remaining layers.

Step 13: Final Frosting

Cover the entire cake – top and sides – with remaining cream cheese frosting, creating a smooth and elegant finish.

Step 14: Decorate and Serve

Add your personal decorative touch and get ready to enjoy this delightful Yellow Velvet Cake!

Pro Tips for Moist Yellow Velvet Cake

• Prevent Color Clumping: Dilute yellow food coloring with a tiny amount of water before adding to ensure even, streak-free color distribution throughout the batter.
• Achieve Fluffy Texture: Whip egg whites to stiff peaks separately and fold gently into the batter to create a lighter, more delicate cake structure.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Let butter, eggs, and buttermilk sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to guarantee smoother blending and better cake consistency.
• Frosting Pro Tip: Chill cream cheese and butter slightly before beating to prevent runny frosting and create a more stable, spreadable consistency.
• Prevent Dry Cake: Do not overmix the batter and check doneness early to avoid overbaking, which can result in a dry yellow velvet cake.

Variations to Refresh Your Yellow Velvet Cake

• Gluten-Free Yellow Velvet Cake: Replace cake flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Vegan Yellow Cake Transformation: Substitute butter with coconut oil, egg yolks with flax eggs, and cream cheese frosting with cashew-based cream cheese alternative.
• Reduced Sugar Version: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar, and swap powdered sugar in frosting with a sugar-free powdered sweetener to lower overall sugar content.
• Citrus Infusion Variation: Add lemon or orange zest to the batter and incorporate citrus extract in the frosting for a bright, tangy flavor profile that complements the yellow cake's richness.

Pairing Ideas for Yellow Velvet Cake

• Pair Zesty Lemon Sorbet: Bright, tangy lemon sorbet complements the rich, creamy yellow cake, cutting through its sweetness with a refreshing citrus punch.
• Sip Chilled Moscato: Light, sweet white wine with subtle fruit notes perfectly balances the cake's richness, enhancing its delicate vanilla and buttery flavors.
• Garnish with Fresh Berries: Scatter fresh raspberries or strawberries around the cake plate, adding a tart, vibrant contrast to the creamy cream cheese frosting.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Espresso: Smooth, robust espresso with vanilla undertones creates a delightful pairing, elevating the cake's subtle sweetness and texture.

Storage Tips to Keep Yellow Velvet Cake Fresh

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap each layer separately with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual cake layers or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Keep frosted cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if your kitchen is cool. Cover with a cake dome or loosely tent with foil to protect from dust and insects.
• Cut remaining slices into individual portions. Place in sealed containers or wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then store in refrigerator for easy grab-and-go treats.

Yellow Velvet Cake FAQ Essentials

• What makes yellow velvet cake different from red velvet cake?

The key difference is the color. Yellow velvet cake uses yellow food coloring instead of red, creating a bright yellow hue while maintaining the same tender, velvety texture of a traditional velvet cake.

• Is cake flour really necessary for this recipe?

Yes, cake flour is crucial. It has lower protein content than all-purpose flour, which helps create a softer, more delicate cake texture with a fine, tender crumb that’s characteristic of velvet cakes.

• Why do I need to separate and beat egg whites separately?

Beating egg whites and folding them into the batter adds extra lightness and volume to the cake. This technique creates a more airy, delicate texture that makes yellow velvet cake exceptionally soft and fluffy.

Yellow Velvet Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Luxurious yellow velvet cake delivers sunshine on a plate with rich, buttery layers. Creamy frosting and delicate crumb invite you to savor each sweet, elegant bite of this classic dessert.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Dry Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (300 grams) cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cake Wet Ingredients and Fats:

• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk

Coloring:

• Yellow food coloring

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare oven to 350F (175C) and meticulously coat three 8-inch round cake pans with grease and flour.
2. Sift together cake flour, leavening agents, and salt in a medium mixing vessel.
3. Cream butter and granulated sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until voluminous and airy.
4. Incorporate egg yolks individually, ensuring thorough blending after each addition. Infuse with vanilla extract.
5. Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter base, commencing and concluding with dry ingredients.
6. Whip egg whites separately until achieving sturdy, glossy peaks. Delicately integrate whipped whites into the batter.
7. Introduce yellow food coloring, stirring until uniformly distributed and achieving desired golden hue.
8. Evenly distribute batter across prepared pans, smoothing surfaces with a spatula.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a testing skewer emerges clean when inserted into cake’s center.
10. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling racks.
11. Craft cream cheese frosting by blending butter and cream cheese until silky. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla, whipping until luxuriously smooth.
12. Position first cake layer on serving plate, lavishly spreading frosting between each subsequent layer.
13. Generously coat entire cake exterior with remaining cream cheese frosting.
14. Embellish as desired and savor your culinary creation.

Notes

• Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Sift dry ingredients to prevent lumps and create a more uniform cake batter.
• Fold egg whites gently to maintain their airiness, which helps create a light and fluffy cake.
• For a natural yellow color, use turmeric or saffron instead of artificial food coloring.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake.
• Use cake flour for a softer, more delicate crumb compared to all-purpose flour.
• Allow cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
• Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 329 kcal
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg