Perfect Yellow Cake

Method8 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Have the butter, eggs, yolks, sour cream and buttermilk at room temperature before mixing; the author allows 30–60 minutes for this. While they temper, preheat the oven to 350°F (about 177°C). Grease a 13×9-inch cake pan with the extra butter and dust it with the extra flour.

   Ingredient tempering: check at 30 minutes · 30 minUses Extra butter to grease the pan, as needed · Extra all-purpose flour to flour the greased pan, as needed

   
2. 2

   Step 2: In a large bowl, using a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the sugar (360 g), vegetable oil (5 tbsp) and room-temperature butter (3 tbsp) at medium speed for 1 minute.

   Uses 360 g granulated sugar (source: 1⅔ cups) · 5 tbsp vegetable oil (source: 75 ml) · 3 tbsp butter (source: 45 g), at room temperature

   
3. 3

   Step 3: On low speed, add the whole eggs (2) and egg yolks (2) one at a time. Mix in the vanilla (4 tsp) until smooth, scraping the bowl as needed. Add the sour cream (¼ cup) and beat until well combined.

   Uses Creamed sugar, oil and butter · 2 large eggs, at room temperature · 2 egg yolks, at room temperature · 4 tsp vanilla extract · ¼ cup sour cream, at room temperature

   
4. 4

   Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk the 370 g flour, baking powder (1 tbsp), salt (1 tsp) and optional turmeric (¼ tsp) together thoroughly.

   Uses 370 g all-purpose flour (source: 2½ cups) · 1 tbsp baking powder · 1 tsp salt · ¼ tsp turmeric, optional

   
5. 5

   Step 5: At low speed, add half the prepared dry mixture to the egg mixture while pouring in half the buttermilk (⅝ cup). Mix just until incorporation begins. Add the remaining half of the dry mixture and the remaining ⅝ cup buttermilk, and mix just until combined.

   Uses Egg, sour-cream and creamed-fat mixture · First half of prepared dry mixture · First half of the buttermilk: ⅝ cup · Remaining half of prepared dry mixture · Remaining half of the buttermilk: ⅝ cup

   
6. 6

   Step 6: Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula, folding the batter from bottom to top to ensure it is evenly mixed.

   Uses Combined yellow-cake batter

   
7. 7

   Step 7: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared 13×9-inch pan. Bake at 350°F (about 177°C) for 36–40 minutes. Check at 36 minutes and remove when a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean and the cake is baked through.

   Sheet cake: check at 36 minutes · 36 minUses Evenly mixed cake batter

8. 8

   Step 8: Cool the cake completely before decorating. Serve plain, or decorate with your chosen prepared frosting; if turning it out, handle it only after it is cool and firm. Slice into 24 portions.

   Uses Baked yellow sheet cake · Prepared vegetarian-suitable frosting of your choice, optional, as desired