Classic Yellow Cake with Fudge Frosting

Recipe by PJ Hamel
50 Reviews 4.2 out of 5 stars

What makes this cake classic? In our book, a "classic" yellow cake (think '60s box-mix style, like Mom used to make) is marked by its pleasing moistness, its easy sliceability (no crumbling, please) and simple vanilla flavor. To top it off, this yellow cake is coated in a blanket of rich, fudgy frosting, completing the traditional vanilla-chocolate duo.

Prep
20 mins
Bake
30 to 35 mins
Total
1 hr 20 mins
Yield
one 9" round layer
Two slices of yellow cake topped with fudge frosting on plates, garnished with fresh berries - select to zoom
Two slices of yellow cake topped with fudge frosting on plates, garnished with fresh berries - select to zoom
Classic Yellow Cake with Fudge Frosting served on plates with berries - select to zoom
Yellow cake with fudge frosting being poured over it - select to zoom

Instructions

Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9" round cake pan that's at least 2" deep; for extra protection against sticking, line the pan with parchment, and grease the parchment.

  2. To make the yellow cake: Beat together the sugar and butter until thoroughly combined.

  3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well and scraping the bowl after each. After you've added the second egg, beat at high speed for 2 minutes; the batter will lighten in color and become fluffy.

  4. Add the vanilla, almond extract, salt, baking powder, and baking soda, stirring to combine.

  5. Starting and ending with the flour, alternately add the flour and yogurt to the mixture: one-third of the flour, half the yogurt, one-third of the flour, the remaining yogurt, and the remaining flour. Beat gently to combine after each addition. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, and beat briefly.

  6. Spoon the batter into the pan. Bake the cake for 30 to 35 minutes, until it's golden brown on top, the edges are beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.

  7. After 10 minutes, turn the cake out of the pan onto a rack to cool completely before frosting.

  8. To make the fudge frosting: Sift the confectioners' sugar into a mixing bowl.

  9. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the cocoa and yogurt.

  10. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla and espresso powder. Add to the confectioners' sugar in the bowl, beating until smooth.

  11. Quickly pour over the cooled cake, while the frosting is still warm.

  12. Allow the frosting to set briefly, then slice the yellow cake and serve. Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for several days.

Tips from our Bakers

  • The frosting is easy to put together, but you need to work quickly once you add the hot butter mixture to the confectioners' sugar. It pours easily when warm, flowing across the cake and down its sides, then drying to a glossy sheen. But if you wait too long and let it cool, you're going to be applying frosting to cake with a spatula — and it won't look nearly as pretty.

  • Can you substitute sour cream for the yogurt? Sure. Full-fat is best; and low-fat is OK, but avoid nonfat — the cake's texture will suffer.

  • One small tweak transforms this yellow cake recipe into one for Boston Cream Pie: Split the cake into two rounds before frosting; fill with about 2 cups of your favorite pastry cream filling or vanilla pudding, and frost as directed.

  • The frosting recipe makes a generous amount. It'll flow over the sides of the cake and pool a bit around the edge of the plate. To keep things neat, slip strips of parchment or waxed paper between cake and plate; frost the cake; and when the frosting is done dripping, gently tug the strips of paper out, taking the frosting with them and leaving a clean plate. Enjoy the extra frosting on ice cream, or just as is!

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