Ina Garten Yellow Cake – Sweet Easy Recipes Everyone Loves
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after a decade of ‘just one more slice,’ it’s that a homemade yellow cake like this hits a soft spot—literally and emotionally. I grew up with the box kind (you know the one), but once I got my hands on Ina Garten’s version, it was like finally understanding the hype behind Sunday family dinners.
This yellow cake delivers that rich, buttery hug we all secretly hope dessert will give us. You mix pantry staples, pour, bake, and boom—you’re the star of the potluck. It checks all the boxes: one bowl, minimal drama, and maximum payoff. Perfect for celebrations, Tuesday nights, or those times you bake just to eat the batter.
Loaded with flavor and easy enough not to need a culinary degree, this cake is a must for your rotation. Whether you’re obsessed with quick and easy recipes or just want an excuse to bake when it’s raining, this is your golden ticket.
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper if you're feeling fancy.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Nothing complicated, just your dry stuff hangin' out.
- Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Think 'pillow-soft clouds' but edible.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each. Then throw in the vanilla like you mean it.
- Alternately add the flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with the flour. Mix just until it comes together—don’t overthink it.
- Divide the batter between the pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean-ish.
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Try not to eat them warm—unless you're into that (I definitely am).