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Classic Yellow Birthday Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Every mom needs a from-scratch birthday cake recipe in her back pocket. This yellow cake is tender, buttery, and sturdy enough to stack and frost without falling apart. Pair it with the glossy chocolate fudge frosting and you've got the birthday cake every kid actually wants, no bakery required.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 32 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 2 minutes
Servings: 14 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened (for frosting)
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract for frosting

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans, lining bottoms with parchment.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
  3. Beat butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, then add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
  4. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour, mixing just until combined.
  5. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake 28-32 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Cool completely, then beat all frosting ingredients until smooth and fluffy.
  7. Place one cake layer on a stand, spread frosting, top with second layer, and frost top and sides.