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Find out why people have called this yellow cake recipe “the best yellow cake they have ever had”!
Be prepared for tons of compliments when you make this. You won’t have to tell them that it starts with yellow cake mix because it tastes like it’s made from scratch!
Keep reading for all my best tips on making a 2 or 3 layer yellow cake with chocolate frosting.
This is the BEST Yellow Cake Recipe
Every baker needs a yellow cake in their recipe book!
This recipe with yellow cake mix is easy to make, moist and topped with a creamy chocolate buttercream frosting. It’s the kind of cake you’ll want to make for birthdays, holidays and family dinners.
Below we’ll cover:
- Making yellow cake with a box mix
- How to Make a Box Cake Taste Homemade
- How to properly measure flour
- Recommended cake baking tools
- How to prepare a cake pan
- How to bake flat even cakes
- Making this cake ahead of time
- Total time required to make this cake
- How much frosting to put in between cake layers
- How to make gluten free yellow cake
How to make a Yellow Box Cake Taste Homemade
It’s all about adding ingredients to the cake mix to give the cake better texture & taste. In our case, we’re adding ingredients with moisture.
Ingredients for Doctored Yellow Cake Mix
- yellow cake mix: the base of the recipe! Be sure to use a 15.25 oz box of yellow cake mix. Some brands have different sizes so be sure to get the correct size.
- all purpose flour: flour is necessary to build the cake structure
- granulated sugar: adds sweetness and flavor
- salt: just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhances the other flavors
- eggs: binds the batter together by providing structure
- vanilla extract: adds that classic vanilla flavor to the cake
- milk: adds moisture
- buttermilk: adds moisture and acidity
- sour cream: adds moisture and acidity
This recipe yields about 6 & 2/3 cups of batter. I used 3 & 1/3 cups of batter in each 8 inch cake pan.
Why Start with a Box of Yellow Cake Mix?
Our yellow birthday cake starts with a box of cake mix because this recipe is all about ease!
This box cake recipe is perfect for all of us who like the ease of a box mix, but want to doctor up the cake mix for more of a homemade taste. Plus, this doctored up version comes together just as quick as the box mix because you can still put everything into one bowl and beat it together.
Chocolate Buttercream Ingredients
- unsalted butter
- unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- powdered sugar
- heavy cream
- salt
- vanilla extract
Butter, cocoa powder and powdered sugar make up the bulk of the frosting. Heavy cream is used to make the frosting extra smooth and creamy.
Recommended Cake Baking Tools
How to make Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting
CAKE
- Preheat the oven to 350º F. Grease two 8 inch springform pans with butter (butter the sides and bottom) and line each pan with a parchment paper circle for easy cake removal. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the cake mix, flour, sugar, salt, eggs, vanilla extract, milk, buttermilk, and sour cream, beat with an electric mixer until combined, 1-2 minutes.
- Evenly divide the batter between the 2 pans, with 3 & 1/3 cups of batter in each pan. If using bake even cake strips, secure them around the outside of the pans.
- Bake both pans on the same rack in the center of the oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Baking times will vary depending on your oven and size of pan you’re using.
- Allow the cakes to cool for 20-30 minutes in the pans before removing them and allowing them to cool completely on a cooling rack.
CHOCOLATE FROSTING
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter on high for 3 minutes.
- Sift in the cocoa powder and 3 cups of powdered sugar. I like to sift these in because it helps break up clumps, creating a light and fluffy frosting. Beat the frosting on low speed until combined and thick.
- Mix in 3 tbsp of heavy cream, vanilla extract and salt.
- Add in the additional powdered sugar (1-2 cups), mix on low. If the frosting is too thick, beat in an additional tablespoon of heavy cream.
How to Properly Measure Flour
- Fluff the flour with a fork
- Use a spoon to scoop the flour into your measuring cup
- Use a butter knife to level off the flour in the measuring cup
Sticking the measuring cup straight into the bag of flour will result in too much flour to be packed into the cup, which can result in dry cake.
How to Prepare a Cake Pan
I recommend greasing your cake pan with butter or shortening, not non-stick cooking spray. Liberally butter the entire pan. I find that butter works better to grease the pan to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
Place your hand inside a ziplock bag or paper towel, use 1/2 tablespoon of butter or shortening and liberally butter the pan. The bag or paper towel will prevent the butter from getting all over your hands.
For super easy cake removal, cut out a circle of parchment paper that is the same size as your pan and place it in the bottom of the pan after you buttered it. I trace the bottom of my springform pan onto the paper, then cut it out.
How To Bake Even Flat Cakes
I use bake even cake strips around the outside of my springform pans to ensure that my cakes bake with flat even tops. It works every time and a 2 pack is about $10 on Amazon!
You can also use a cake leveler or serrated knife to level your cakes before assembling them.
How To Make Ahead of Time
Make the cake layers, allow them to cool completely, then wrap them well in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 days. Alternatively, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.
Chocolate buttercream can also be made ahead of time. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 days. When ready to use, allow the buttercream to come to room temperature and briefly beat with a mixer.
Total Time Required
- 15 minutes to prep the cake batter
- 35-40 minutes to bake
- 1+ hour to cool the cake completely
- 5 minutes to make the frosting
- 10-20 minutes to assemble and frost the cake
How to Decorate Homemade Yellow Cake
- Spread a small amount of chocolate buttercream on the bottom of your cake plate / stand, this acts as “glue” to prevent the cake from moving.
- Place one cake layer over the frosting.
- Measure 3/4 to 1 cup of frosting and evenly spread that on top of the first layer. Top with the second cake layer and spread the remaining frosting around the sides and top of the cake. I use about 1 cup of frosting on the top of the cake. Top with chocolate curls if desired.
- Slice and serve. Cover leftover cake tightly with plastic wrap and store on the counter for up to 3 days.
How Much Frosting Between Cake Layers
For an 8 inch 2 layer cake I recommend 3/4 to 1 cup of frosting between the cake layers. The remaining frosting will be used to frost the sides and top of the cake.
Make Doctored Yellow Cake Mix Gluten Free!
Use a gluten free yellow cake mix in place of the regular cake mix. I recommend using the Betty Crocker one (15 oz) or the Pillsbury one (17 oz). Follow our instructions as written.
Easy Yellow Cake Recipe Storage
Store cake in an airtight cake container or carrier. If the cake contains perishable fillings or frostings, store it in the refrigerator, otherwise, room temperature or freezing are options for longer storage. When freezing, label the cake with the date and type, and when ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting FAQs
White cake is typically made with egg whites and cake flour, resulting in a light color and mild flavor. Yellow cake uses whole eggs and all-purpose flour, giving it a yellow color and a slightly richer taste. White cake is neutral and suitable for different frostings, while yellow cake has a more pronounced flavor due to the egg yolks. You can choose between them based on your preferred taste and appearance for your dessert.
Yellow cake mix and butter golden cake mix are not the same, although they share some similarities. Yellow cake mix is typically made with whole eggs and all-purpose flour, giving it a yellow color and a richer, buttery flavor. Butter golden cake mix, on the other hand, specifically highlights a buttery flavor. It may contain added butter flavoring or butter ingredients, which can make it taste more buttery compared to a standard yellow cake mix. While both can be used for baking, butter golden cake mix is chosen for its distinct buttery taste, while yellow cake mix has a more general flavor profile.
Yellow cake tastes good due to the use of whole eggs and typically all-purpose flour, which contribute to its richer flavor compared to white cake. It often includes butter or butter flavoring, enhancing its taste with a buttery richness. The combination of these ingredients gives yellow cake its delicious and appealing flavor profile.
To make a boxed yellow cake mix taste better and more homemade, you can try these simple tips and additions:
•Add Real Butter: Instead of vegetable oil, use melted butter in the same quantity called for on the box. Butter adds a rich flavor to the cake.
•Use Milk: Replace the water in the mix with an equal amount of milk. This adds creaminess and enhances the flavor.
•Add Extra Eggs: Increase the number of eggs by one, or use large eggs if the recipe calls for medium. Extra eggs add moisture and richness.
•Add Vanilla Extract: A teaspoon of pure vanilla extract enhances the cake’s flavor.
•Add Mix-Ins: Fold in your favorite mix-ins such as chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or fruit like berries or diced pineapple.
More Cake Recipes
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Doctored Yellow Cake Mix
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box yellow cake mix, 15.25 oz (I prefer Duncan Hines)
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ tsp salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk, skim, 1% or 2%
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 cup sour cream
Chocolate Frosting
- 4 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, 2 cups
- 1 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 4-5 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tbsp heavy cream
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350º F. Grease two 8 inch springform pans with butter (butter the sides and bottom) and line each pan with a parchment paper circle for easy cake removal. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the cake mix, flour, sugar, salt, eggs, vanilla extract, milk, buttermilk, and sour cream, beat with an electric mixer until combined, 1-2 minutes.
- Evenly divide the batter between the 2 pans, with 3 & 1/3 cups of batter in each pan. If using bake even cake strips, secure them around the outside of the pans.
- Bake both pans on the same rack in the center of the oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Baking times will vary depending on your oven and size of pan you’re using.
- Allow the cakes to cool for 20-30 minutes in the pans before removing them and allowing them to cool completely on a cooling rack.
CHOCOLATE FROSTING
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter on high for 3 minutes.
- Sift in the cocoa powder and 3 cups of powdered sugar. I like to sift these in because it helps break up clumps, creating a light and fluffy frosting. Beat the frosting on low speed until combined and thick.
- Mix in 3 tbsp of heavy cream, vanilla extract and salt.
- Add in the additional powdered sugar (1-2 cups), mix on low. If the frosting is too thick, beat in an additional tablespoon of heavy cream.
ASSEMBLE
- If needed, level the cooled cakes using a cake leveler or serrated knife. Spread a small amount of chocolate buttercream on the bottom of your cake plate / stand, this acts as “glue” to prevent the cake from moving. Place one cake layer over the frosting. Measure 3/4 to 1 cup of frosting and evenly spread that on top of the first layer. Top with the second cake layer and spread the remaining frosting around the sides and top of the cake. I use about 1 cup of frosting on the top of the cake. Top with chocolate curls if desired.
- Slice and serve. Cover leftover cake tightly with plastic wrap and store on the counter for up to 3 days.
Notes
HOW TO MAKE AHEAD OF TIME
Make the cake layers, allow them to cool completely, then wrap them well in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 days. Alternatively, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Chocolate buttercream can also be made ahead of time. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 days. When ready to use, allow the buttercream to come to room temperature and briefly beat with a mixer.HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE Yellow CAKE
Use a gluten free yellow cake mix in place of the regular cake mix. I recommend using the Betty Crocker one (15 oz) or the Pillsbury one (17 oz). Follow our instructions as written.Nutrition
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Can I make this in a 9×12 pan?
To make in a 9×13 inch pan, I recommend following this recipe: https://thefirstyearblog.com/doctored-up-white-cake-mix/ Just swap the white cake mix for yellow cake mix!
May I ask why the chocolate version of this doctored up cake recipe is using half the amount of sugar and flour added to the mix? Does it being chocolate flavored make a difference for some reason? I ask because I have used the Chocolate version and it is great! I thought I liked it because it was only calling for half a cup of flour and sugar.
Also, the only difference between this Yellow Cake version and the White Cake version is the whole eggs vs only egg whites, correct? So it creates the same amount of batter?
Hi Mary! When I get a chance I’ll try the chocolate cake following the yellow cake recipe. The 2 recipes were developed several years apart. The chocolate cake also has added cocoa powder, so that factors into the amount of flour and sugar added.
As for the yellow cake and white cake versions… yes, the yellow cake uses whole eggs and the white cake uses egg whites only to keep the cake extra white.
Hello, I was wondering if there is some kind of magic in box cake mix? Why not just follow the simple steps on the box for simplicity? If I’m going to these lengths of adding ingredients to a box mix, wouldn’t it make more sense to just make a cake from scratch? P.S Looks delicious though!