Description
Whip up this yellow party cake when celebration calls for something special and sweet. Moist layers of sunshine-colored goodness guarantee smiles around your table, making memories deliciously memorable.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cake Components:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 large eggs
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon yellow food coloring
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Arrange the oven rack in the center and preheat to precisely 350F (175C). Grab two 9-inch round cake pans and lightly coat them with butter and flour.
- Sift 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour and 1 tablespoon of baking powder together in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly to eliminate any lumps.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream 1 cup of softened unsalted butter with 2 cups of granulated sugar using an electric mixer. Beat for 3-4 minutes until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy.
- Crack 4 large eggs into the butter mixture, adding them one at a time. Mix completely after each egg, scraping down the bowl’s sides.
- Pour 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon zest into the batter. Stir gently until evenly incorporated.
- Alternate adding the flour mixture and 1 cup of whole milk to the batter. Mix on low speed, beginning and ending with the flour. Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients combine.
- Add 1 tablespoon of yellow food coloring and fold gently to create a consistent sunshine-yellow color throughout the batter.
- Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Slide the pans into the preheated oven and bake for exactly 27-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean.
- Remove cakes from the oven and let them rest in the pans for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack.
- Allow cakes to cool completely for 1-2 hours before applying frosting or decorations.
Notes
- Softening butter is crucial for achieving a smooth, creamy cake texture, so let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.
- When adding eggs, mix each one completely before adding the next to prevent the batter from looking curdled.
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant color without affecting the cake’s liquid balance, and add it gradually to control the shade.
- For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend, ensuring your cake remains light and tender.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 346 kcal
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg