Ina Garten’s Golden Yellow Cake Recipe for Baking Bliss

Yellow cake stands as a classic dessert cherished by baking enthusiasts for its delightful simplicity and comforting charm.

Soft, tender crumbs define this beloved treat that promises pure culinary enjoyment.

Butter and sugar combine to create a luscious canvas of golden sweetness that melts effortlessly on your palate.

Each slice reveals a delicate texture promising incredible satisfaction for anyone craving a traditional dessert.

The beauty of yellow cake lies in its remarkable versatility, welcoming countless flavor combinations and decorative possibilities.

Home bakers appreciate its straightforward preparation and crowd-pleasing qualities that transform ordinary ingredients into something magical.

Layers of rich, buttery goodness await those ready to whip up this timeless confection: just grab your mixing bowl and let’s bake!

Why Ina Garten Yellow Cake Brings Back Sweet Memories

• Create Silky Smooth Layers: This yellow cake recipe promises incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth cake layers that are perfectly balanced with a rich chocolate buttercream. The combination of cornstarch and buttermilk ensures an ultra-soft texture that separates this cake from ordinary bakery offerings.
• Master Baker's Foolproof Technique: Ina Garten's method of alternating flour and buttermilk, adding eggs one at a time, and carefully mixing prevents overmixing. This professional approach guarantees a consistent, light cake that rises beautifully and maintains a delicate crumb every single time.
• Dress-Up or Dress-Down Delight: Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or craving a weekend treat, this yellow cake with chocolate buttercream works for any moment. Its classic flavor profile appeals to both kids and adults, making it a versatile dessert that feels both nostalgic and sophisticated.
• Stress-Free Baking Experience: With straightforward instructions and common pantry ingredients, this recipe welcomes bakers of all skill levels. The step-by-step process breaks down complex techniques into simple, manageable actions that make cake-making feel like a fun, achievable adventure.

What You Need for Ina Garten Yellow Cake

• All-Purpose Flour, Cornstarch: Provides structure and tender crumb with a soft texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and creates a light, airy consistency.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Eggs, Egg Yolks: Adds richness, moisture, and helps bind ingredients together.
• Buttermilk: Creates tender texture and adds subtle tangy flavor.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and helps create a soft cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides classic, warm background flavor.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates creamy, rich base for chocolate buttercream.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and smooth frosting texture.
• Semisweet Chocolate: Adds deep chocolate flavor to buttercream.
• Cocoa Powder: Intensifies chocolate taste and color.
• Milk: Helps achieve desired frosting consistency.

How to Make Ina Garten Yellow Cake Moist and Rich

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Grease three 6-inch round cake pans and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk together and set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a mixer, blend room temperature butter and sugar until light and fluffy. The mixture should look creamy and pale.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Scrape down mixer sides. Add eggs and egg yolks one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Step 5: Combine Cake Batter

Slowly mix dry ingredients and buttermilk into butter mixture. Start and end with flour mixture. Mix until just combined to keep cake tender.

Step 6: Bake Cake Layers

Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake for 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool Cake Layers

Let cakes rest in pans for a few minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely.

Step 8: Prepare Chocolate Buttercream

• Butter
• Semisweet chocolate
• Milk

Set aside to cool.

Step 9: Create Buttercream Base

Beat remaining butter until smooth and creamy.

Step 10: Add Chocolate Elements

• Melted butter
• Cocoa powder

Scrape mixer sides.

Step 11: Finish Buttercream

Gradually add powdered sugar. Pour in cooled chocolate mixture and remaining milk. Mix until smooth.

Step 12: Assemble Cake

Place first cake layer on serving plate. Spread chocolate buttercream between each layer.

Step 13: Frost Exterior

Cover entire cake with remaining buttercream. Create rustic swirls using a spatula for decorative effect.

Tips for the Fluffiest Ina Garten Yellow Cake

• Measure with Precision: Grab a kitchen scale to nail exact measurements for flour and sugar, ensuring your cake's texture and sweetness hit the mark every single time.
• Warm Up Ingredients: Pull out butter, eggs, and buttermilk from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before baking. Room temperature ingredients blend smoother and create a more consistent cake batter.
• Layer Ingredients Strategically: Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the mix. Start with flour, then buttermilk, ending with flour. This technique prevents lumps and creates a silky-smooth batter.
• Early Cake Checking Technique: Peek into the oven around 30 minutes and test doneness with a clean toothpick. Zero batter clinging means your cake is perfectly baked and won't turn dry.
• Patient Cooling Process: Allow the freshly baked cake to rest in its pan for 10 minutes after removing from the oven. This gentle cooling helps maintain the cake's structural integrity and prevents potential crumbling.

How to Store Ina Garten Yellow Cake

• Airtight Container Magic: Seal your yellow cake in a high-quality, leak-proof container to lock in moisture and prevent flavor contamination. Choose containers with tight-fitting lids that create a perfect barrier against air and potential refrigerator odors.
• Freezer Strategy: Slice the cake before freezing to make future defrosting easier and more convenient. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Press out excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain the cake's delicate texture for up to 3 months.
• Moisture Preservation: Layer parchment paper between cake slices when storing to prevent sticking and maintain the cake's pristine appearance. Keep the cake at a consistent refrigerator temperature between 36-40°F to ensure optimal freshness and prevent potential flavor degradation.

Different Takes on Ina Garten Yellow Cake

• Chocolate Marble Sensation: Swirl rich chocolate batter into the yellow cake batter before baking, creating a stunning marbled effect with contrasting flavors and visual appeal.
• Citrus Zest Celebration: Incorporate lemon or orange zest into the cake batter and replace vanilla extract with corresponding citrus extract for a bright, refreshing flavor profile that adds a tangy twist to the classic yellow cake.
• Nutty Crunch Upgrade: Fold chopped toasted almonds or pecans into the batter and sprinkle additional nuts between cake layers for added texture and depth of flavor, creating a more complex and interesting dessert experience.
• Berry Burst Version: Mix in fresh or dried berries like raspberries or blueberries into the cake batter, and create a complementary berry compote to layer between cake tiers for a fruity and vibrant modification of the original recipe.

Ina Garten Yellow Cake: The Last Crumb

Ina Garten’s yellow cake masterpiece whispers sweet sophistication with each delectable slice.

Chocolate buttercream layers create luxurious harmony between tender cake crumb and rich frosting.

Complex flavors dance across palates, revealing culinary artistry perfected through meticulous technique.

Memories of classic comfort merge with gourmet elegance in this memorable dessert.

Kitchen magic happens when passionate bakers craft such memorable confections.

Readers craving chocolate and nostalgia: share this recipe, comment with your baking adventures, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms!