Yellow Cake from Scratch Made Easy

Fluffy Yellow Cake from Scratch Made Easy with Vegetable Oil

I’m excited to share one of my all-time favorite recipes with you: a fluffy yellow cake made from scratch using vegetable oil. This cake is a dream come true for anyone who loves a moist, tender crumb and a rich flavor – without all the hassle of using actual butter. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll be making it for every birthday, celebration, and just-because day!

Now, you might be wondering, why vegetable oil? Well, let me tell you a little story. When I first started baking, I was all about the butter. But one day, I ran out of butter right when I was about to bake a cake for a  birthday party. In a pinch, I substituted vegetable oil, and the result was a revelation! The cake was incredibly moist and stayed fresh longer than  butter-based cakes.

Ingredients

Let’s start with what you’ll need. Here’s a comprehensive list of ingredients:

All-purpose flour : Provides structure to the cake.

Baking Soda:  Helps cake rise and become fluffy.

Salt: Enhances the flavors.

Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake.

Large eggs (Room Temperature) : Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients.

Buttermilk(Room Temperature): Adds moisture and helps dissolve the dry ingredients.

Vegetable oil : Keeps the cake moist and tender.

Vanilla extract: Adds flavor and aroma.

Equipment Needed

Before we dive into the recipe, make sure you have the right tools on hand:

Electric stand mixer

Two 8 inch round cake pans

Kitchen scale or measuring cups and spoons

Whisk and Spatula

Wire rack

Parchment Cake Rounds or Paper

How To Prepare and Bake Your Yellow Cake

Preheat Oven

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your oven is ready to bake as soon as your batter is mixed.

Next, grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. I like to use a bit of the vegetable oil for greasing, then add a light dusting of flour to prevent the cake from sticking.  My preferred method is to trace the bottom of the pan on parchment paper and cut it out to place in the bottom of the greased and floured pan.

Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step is crucial for distributing the baking powder evenly, ensuring your cake rises beautifully. I like to sift my baking soda into the flour to avoid lumps—because nothing says "surprise" like a  bite of bitter baking soda confetti!

Combine Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, beat the eggs until they’re light and frothy. This is where the magic begins! Add in the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well combined.

Combine and Mix

Now, it’s time to bring it all together. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. Don’t overmix – just stir until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake, and we want our yellow cake to be light and fluffy!

This batter is a thinner consistency compared to pre-packaged cake mixes that often have less liquid.

Pour and Bake

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared cake pans. Here’s a little tip: use a kitchen scale to make sure each pan has the same amount of batter. This ensures your layers bake evenly. Pop the pans into your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know the cakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs.

Cool and Serve

Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. This gives them time to firm up a bit, making them easier to handle. Then, turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. There’s nothing worse than frosting a warm cake – trust me, it’s a mess!

Now it's time to enjoy your fluffy yellow cake from scratch made easy with vegetable oil. This cake is perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to casual get-togethers. It’s moist, flavorful, and incredibly simple to make. Plus, the vegetable oil keeps it fresh and tender for days (if it lasts that long!).

I hope you give this recipe a try and love it as much as I do. Baking is all about experimenting and having fun, so don’t be afraid to make it your own. If you have any questions or want to share your cake experience, drop a comment below. Happy baking!

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Frosting Ideas:

No cake is complete without frosting!  Click on the links below to take you to a few of my favorites that pair perfectly with this yellow cake:

Classic Buttercream: Creamy, sweet, and a match made in heaven with yellow cake.

Mascarpone Frosting:  Light and rich, perfect for those who love a bit of contrast.

Chocolate Frosting: Decadent and glossy, this is for all the chocolate lovers out there.